Page 10 of Carson

I watch as he airs up the tires on her bike. Really, he’s not acting all that different. Carson is as steady as they come. We’re helpers. This is what we do.

He secures it to the back of the van when he’s finished while I strap down the lawn chairs she had set up outside.

There isn’t anything about his plan that doesn’t make sense. I don’t know why I’m freaking out about all of this. I mean, he doesn’t even know this girl. I’m making more of it than I should.

“Ready to fire her up?”

“Let’s do it.”

He gets in first, going right to the little closet near the back. I wait up front while he opens it. The look that passes over his face stirs the embers of my anxiety until it’s a roaring fire.

He places a finger over his mouth and waves me over. It reminds me of when we were kids and he would find something cool in the forest behind our house.

I walk over and peek inside. The pizza girl is curled up in a ball, sleeping soundly. Something tugs in my chest, but I ignore it, because my brother rubs his hand over his chest too.

“I’ll take the first shift of driving,” Carson says, closing it quietly.

My eyes stay focused on the door of the closet while he heads up front, turning the engine over. He gives me a thumbs up.

I reluctantly head to the front and take the seat beside him.

“Don’t look so worried, brother.” He taps the little crystal dragonfly hanging from her rear-view mirror. “We’re definitely on the right path.”

Or at least one of us is.

For the first time ever, I wonder if the road we’ve been traveling is about to take us in different directions.

Chapter Five

Luna

When the van picks up speed, the familiar hum of the motor tells me we’re on the interstate. My engine loves the open road best. Me too.

I don’t really care where we are going as long as Carson is taking me away from Cheyenne. I’m not sure I’ll ever visit there again. It’s not that I didn’t like being able to watch my brother and sister from a distance. It’s not because of the people, or the scenery. I can tell you all the reasons I liked the place, but what I can’t tell you is why I don’t.

It’s not what you think it is either. My father isn’t here anymore, and my memories of visiting him here are not ones I want to erase, at least not entirely. This is where I met my brother.

I run my fingers over the butterfly Carson gave me.

There was a darkness in Cheyenne. I couldn’t escape it. It was like a shadow on a cloudy day. I couldn’t see it, but it was there. The further we drive, the better I feel.

A small smile lights my face, and I risk a peek. Carson and his brother are in the front seats of my van. The two of them are laughing and chatting together, but somehow, he’s completely aware that I’m watching them.

His eyes meet mine in the mirror, and I know he wants me to come out of my hiding place. I shake my head, no.

“Oh fuck,” his brother says, drawing our attention to him. “It’s Rage and Serenity. I bet they are headed to Disneyland for their little family-moon.”

Carson gives me another reassuring smile. I jump from the closet, and slide into the table beside the window. My back windows are tinted so I know my brother won’t be able to see me.

Carson slowly begins to pass Chance’s truck, and I silently thank the moon for being bright tonight, so I can see him and his family.

Tears cascade down my cheeks as Mila waves both of her hands at Carson’s brother excitedly. I see him making funny faces at her out of the corner of my eye. Carson keeps us steady beside them, giving me an opportunity to get a good look at her.

She’s beautiful. I see her hold her little hands up, trying to make a heart at Carson’s brother.

Her little body shakes, her head tipped back in laughter as we slowly begin to pull away.

My brother’s normal scowl comes into view, but it’s somehow changed. He’s found peace with Serenity and their children.