“North,” Reece said. “There’s a ferry terminal—I figured that was a good place to be while we plan our next step in the investigation.”
“The investigation I said you weren’t coming on,” Grayson said.
“But then you handed me the truck keys,” Reece said. “So I’m calling the shots now. I’m taking us to the ferry and I’m afraid you’re just going to have to sit there and look pretty.”
Grayson might not have feelings, but he sure could communicate the flattest looks Reece had ever seen.
“You’re really good at looking pretty,” Reece said sweetly.
Grayson sat back in his seat with some force. Then he immediately sat up again, and Reece thought he heard the smallest hiss of breath.
“Wait—are you hurt?”
Grayson shifted. “Definehurt.”
“Jesus Christ, Evan.” Reece put his turn signal on to move into the far-right lane.
“What’re you doing?”
“What do you think I’mdoin’? I’m looking for a place to pull over so I can see how badly you’re injured.”
Grayson huffed. “I’m sure it’s fine—”
“No.” Reece cut him off, holding up a warning finger. “Don’t even think about trying that macho bullshit with me.”
“But it’s not worth you getting upset—”
“Stop telling me what you are and aren’t worth,” Reece snapped. “And I am an empath in a truck with a hurt person. I haven’tbegunto get upset.”
“But, Reece—”
“Would you stoparguing? Just sit back, shut up, and let the empath show you some goddamn fucking empathy.”
Grayson opened his mouth.
“Try me,” Reece said warningly.
Grayson shut his mouth.
The road was curving, and Reece could see a small turnoff onto the forested mountainside. Under a Do Not Enter symbol, a sign readEmergency Vehicles Only. Reece took it without hesitation.
Grayson glanced around them. “We’re not allowed on this road.”
“You think I care about driving laws when you’re hurt?”
“Empaths,” Grayson muttered.
The service road backtracked south from the highway, through thick trees up the side of the mountain. There was a spur off the road, not quite a real shoulder but wide enough for a vehicle. Reece pulled into it and looked around, but there were no other cars to be seen. He put the truck in Park but left it running and the heat on as he turned to face Grayson. “Where are you hurt?”
“My back,” Grayson grudgingly admitted.
Reece frowned. “Can you recline your seat a little? And twist?” He got up on his knees on the driver’s seat as Grayson started moving, and then Reece caught sight of his shoulder. “Fuck.”
“What?”
There were spots of dull red on the back of Grayson’s sweater, soaked through the fabric.
Reece took a breath through his nose, his heart rate speeding up. “Blood.” It came out too high, too tight, and he was lightheaded now. He winced.“Fuck,”he said again, clenching his jaw. “What kind of empath am I? I hate this about myself, Ihateit. You’re hurt, and you need help, and all I can do is panic about how much pain you’re in when I need to do something about it—”
