Page 16 of Barefoot Lake

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” It comes out of me as a plea, even though I know the tire won’t magically repair itself and pump back up. I look over my shoulder and see Andersen about to close his car door. I briefly consider trying the Lyft, but I don’t want to keep the police waiting, assuming the driver is even on duty at this time. Scott, Piper, and I look at each other.

“Hang on!” I call out, and Andersen turns to look at me. “I’m so sorry. I have a flat. Can we go with you after all?” I explain when I get close.

“Do you want help just changing it?” he offers.

“It’s late, and I’d rather just come back for it tomorrow. I know how to change it, but thank you.”

He looks over the car at his partner, who shrugs, looking like he’s ready for this night to be over.

“Alright, get in.” Andersen opens the back door, and the three of us squeeze in.

I’ve always been a good girl, and I swear I’m living somebody else’s life as I voluntarily slide into the back of the squad car. I’m grateful we’re not getting arrested, but this is still a disaster. I drop my head back against the seat and close my eyes, like if I don’t see myself in a police car, this whole night didn’t happen.

The short ride to the police station along deserted roads highlights my new small-town living. The officers park and open our door. We get out, and Andersen holds the station door open for us as we file through. He directs all three of us to a bench, and I sigh with relief. I think I might have fallen apart if we were put in an interrogation room.

Do small-town police stations even have interrogation rooms?

Another officer who walks like he’s in charge approaches us and distributes a clipboard to each of us. I realize that nobody has said a word since we got in the squad car and my throat suddenly feels scratchy. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this uncomfortable before in my life. My people-pleasing self is in a complete spiral.

“Look,” the officer sighs. “We just need you to each write up what happened as you remember it, and we can all get on with our nights. Penny told my guys she doesn’t want anything from anybody except to ban Mr. Basel and his crew from her bar, so this is to dot the I’s and cross our t’s. Once you’re done, you can call somebody to pick you up and go home.”

“That’s it?” I blurt. I think I was still doubtful that we really, really weren’t in trouble.

“That’s it, ma’am.” He nods at me and looks at Scott and Piper before hollering over his shoulder at somebody. “Mike! Can we get some new ice over here?”

Mike — I guess that’s Andersen’s first name — brings two of those ice packs you pop to activate and some paper towels for Scott and Piper and takes their damp towels.

“Thanks, Mike, Allen.” Scott addressing Andersen and the senior officer by name confirms my suspicions about familiarity.

I try to make myself as inconspicuous as possible and begin to write. My statement feels silly since I describe most of the parties by their appearances or shirt colors, but I do my best and finish up quickly.

Scott collects our clipboards to return them to Mike, and I take my phone out of my pocket. I stare at the screen, knowing I only have phone numbers for three people in Wilcox Grove saved: Denise from the shelter where I donated most of Mom’s things, Grateful Bob, and Jake from Mom’s note on the fridge.

I don’t know Denise well enough to ask her to pick me up from the police station after two a.m. I know without a doubt that Grateful Bob would come get me and Piper without hesitation and likely without asking any questions. I’m mortified by our situation, even though we didn’t get in trouble, and it would feel like I let him down. Still, without another option, I pull up his contact and hit call. It rings until his voicemail recording starts playing. Damnit.

That only leaves Jake and calling him is a non-starter. I’m about to try my luck with Wilcox Grove’s Lyft driver when Scott returns to our bench.

“I called my brother, and he’s going to come get us all.”

I hate the idea of being a burden, especially so late. “Scott, thank you so much, but we can’t ask that of him. I can figure something out for me and Piper.” I ignore Piper’s desperate look, saying she just wants to get home as soon as possible.

Scott waves me off. “Don’t worry about it. Piper mentioned you live on Barefoot Lake earlier tonight. We do, too, so it really isn’t a problem. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

I open my mouth to object again, but Scott puts his hand on my shoulder. “Everything that happened tonight is because Troy hates me. Please, let me make sure you get home safely.” Ok, ok. Scott is a nice boy after all.

“Thank you.” We fall back into silence while we wait. There’s really no appropriate small talk for a police station in the middle of the night. Even the few police officers are quiet. The only sounds in the room are the occasional shuffle of paper or click of keys until the bell by the door rings. I look up as the new arrival steps through the door.

“Scotty, what on earth have you—” His gruff voice cuts off as his eyes meet mine, and his expression freezes.

Wouldn’t you know Scott is apparently Jake’s little brother.

CHAPTER 10

Jake

Living alone and enjoying a quiet life, I’ve only ever been woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call once, and it was the one telling me my parents were gone. When I see Scott’s name on my phone tonight at two in the morning, my chest clenches like my heart has stopped. I knew he came up today and was seeing friends. He was going to come here after going out. Thankfully, he knows me well, and when I answer with a strained “Scott?” the first words out of his mouth are “I’m ok.”

Once I can breathe again, I’m out of bed and getting dressed. I didn’t ask for details before the call ended because I wasn’t sure enough blood had returned to my brain to process it anyway. I got the important part. He needs me. I’m on the road within five minutes of my phone ringing.