Page 57 of All the way home

Before he thinks to stop himself, Zach reaches out and touches it, smile broadening. “This”—he hefts it in his palm—“is a Dora the Explorer flashlight.”

To his credit, Kieran doesn’t look bashful in the slightest. “It’s the only small one I could find. Also, the battery life is phenomenal.”

“Yeah, this beats my obsidian.”

“I knew Dora would come in handy someday.” As he sweeps the items back into his pockets, Kieran’s phone beeps. “Rena hates her.”

“Well, she can’t say you’re not prepared.”

“Overprepared, I’ve been told.” His phone blips again.

“And popular,” Zach says pointedly.

Scrunching his nose, Kieran picks up his phone and thumbs through the notifications. “My mother loves me deeply, but she’s a worrier.”

If he knew for sure it was allowed, Zach would laugh. As is, he swallows the urge and checks his own phone. There’s a string of messages, all from Mara.

hello. zach

tell me he isn’t the mount royal kid who just followed me

don’t let me down like this

an MRU kid followed u??

lucas hill

don’t tell me this is the,

and I Quote,

“devastatingly cute” guy ur with

Attached is a screenshot of an Instagram post where Green Fleece—Lucas—poses mid–­golf swing. And it’s not that he’s unpleasant-looking at all. Objectively, Lucas is handsome, if well-scrubbed Anglo-evangelical is your thing. But, like, he’s wearing a polo shirt, and he’s tagged the brand of the watch he’s wearing. It’s kind of a lot.

WHAT oh my god they found us

no that’s not him

that’s his sister’s boyfriend

sister’s boyfriend roger that brb

Rolling his eyes but unable to stuff down the smile, Zach pockets his phone and stares ruefully down at his still-wrapped burger. Even if he’s loath to admit it, he hates eating in front of people. Especially new people. It’s with severe caution that he peels the wax paper off the burger, making sure Kieran’s not watching.

“So.” Setting his phone down and steepling his fingers, Kieran makes direct eye contact, searing like a chemical burn. “Zach. Zachary?”

Zach lets go of the paper. “Just Zach.”

“Okay, just Zach.” There’s a nearly wild, interrogative sheen to the shape of his smile. “Tell me about yourself.”

Chapter Eighteen

Rena

Lucas asks, “Heard anything from him?”

She hasn’t, so Rena texts Kieran.