WARNING:THISBOOKCONTAINSSEXUALCONTENT

RAW(NAKED,BOOK6)

byKellyFavor

KellyFavor.2014,allrightsreserved.

Caelynwasntsureexactlywhenshesnapped.

Foramoment,allsheknewwasthatElijahwasinthebackseatofapolicecarabouttobetakentojail.

Meanwhile,shewassittinginhistruck,watchingasherhopesweredestroyed.

ButthenextthingCaelynknew,shewasonthemove,openingthepassengersidedoorandfallingoutofthetruck,strikingherkneesonthepavementasherhandsbrokemostofthefall.Shewastooweaktogetoutofthetruckthatfast,butshedidntcare.

Herkneesandhandswerescrapedrawandshedidntcareaboutthat,muchlessfeelit.

Shewasscreamingandcryingasshestoodupandrantowardsthepolicecruiser.

No,shescreamed.No,youcanttakehim!

As she got closer, the police officer got out of the car. Maam, get back in your vehicle, hecommanded.

No!Caelynsaid.Shewasntevenrunningthatfast,althoughshewantedto.

She was sort of half-limping, half-walking, as blood streamed from her right kneecap and soakedthroughherpants.Dontdothis.Dontarresthim,please.Itsnothisfault.Iknowhedidntstealmysisterscreditcard.

Theofficerheldhishandup.Maam,stoprightnow.Donotcomeanycloser.

Hishandhadactuallygonetothebuttofhisrevolver.

Caelyn faltered. She was gasping for breath already, having barely even run halfway to the policecruiser. She could seeElijah better now.Hewas shaking his head in the backseat and trying to saysomethingtoher,butshecouldnthearhim.

Elijah,Iloveyou!sheyelled.

Donotcomeanycloser,thecopreiterated.GetbackinyourcarbeforeIhandcuffyouandtakeyouinfordisorderlyconductandassaultinganofficer.

Caelynsmindwasgone.Sheknewthatitwasover.Elijahhadalreadydodgedfatewhenhedhadhisparoleviolationhearingandtheydallowedhimanotherchance.

Thiswastheendoftheroadforhim.

Hewasgoingtogotoprisonandserveouttherestofhissentence,probablywithadditionaltimeaddedonbecauseofthisnewcrimehedsupposedlycommitted.

Shemightnotseehimfreedforanothertwoorthreeyears,atleast.

Twoorthreeentireyearsawayfromeachother,leadingseparatelives.

The thoughtof beingwithouthim for so long, especiallywhen shewas strugglingwithherphysicalhealth,wasunbearable.

Caelynbrokedownthen.Inthemiddleoftheroad,sobbing.Sobbingsoheavilythatshecouldhardlyseeorhearor even think.And then, as if itwas all toomuch, like anoverloadedcomputer shuttingdownshewentblank.

Maybeshepassedout.

Caelynwasntevensurewhathadhappened.Itwaslikeamentalshortcircuit.

Onesecondshewasthere,thenextshewasgone,likewhitenoiseonthetelevision.

When she came to her senses again, an ambulance had arrived on the scene and paramedics werelookingherover,askingherquestions.Someonewaslookingatherdriverslicense.

Doyouknowyourname?someoneasked.

Howoldareyou?Theysaid.

Stillanotherpersonaskedher,Whatyearisit?

CanyoutellmethenameofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates?

Sheansweredtheirquestionscorrectly,buttheycouldtellsomethingwaswrong.

Shecouldtellfromthelooksontheirfacesthattheywereconcernedabouthermentalstate.

Meanwhile,CaelynjustkepttellingthemthatElijahhadbeenunfairlyarrested.

Thecopcarwasgoneandshewasstartingtogetmoreandmorehysterical.

Calmdown,oneof theparamedics toldher.Weregoing to takeyou to theEmergencyRoomforsometests.

No,sheyelled.Ineedtoseehim.IneedtoseeElijah.Shetriedtorunaway,backtothepickuptruck.ShewasdeterminedtodriveherselftowhateverprecincttheywerebringingElijah.

Somehow shewas going to convince the police thatElijah had done nothingwrong.But before shecouldevengetbacktothetruck,theyweretakingherbythearmandescortinghertotheambulance.

Wereallyneedtorunsometests,Caelyn.

Imfine,shesaid.

Letsjustmakesure.

Please,IneedtoseeElijah.

Werejustgoingtorunsomequicktests.

Andthenshewasplacedintheambulance,andtheywerestrappingherdowntoastretcher,takinghervitals.

Shewascryingagain,cryingbecauseit reallywasover.Nowshewouldnteverbeable toget to thepolicestationbeforetheybookedandchargedElijahfortheft.

Caelynwasntsureshedeverbeenthislow.Butsomehow,ontheridetothehospital,shefeltastrangekindofpeaceormaybeitwasjustbeingnumbfromtheshockofeverythingthathadhappened.

Outthebackwindowoftheambulance,shecouldseepassingscenery,aglimpseofbluesky,aflashofgreentrees.Inside,theparamedicsweretryingtotalktoher,continuingtocheckhervitals,andwantingtoknowmoreaboutthecaraccidentshedbeeninpreviously.

Shewasntmuchinterestedintheconversation,though.

When theyarrivedat thehospital, shewasbrought inon thestretcherand thencheckedbyadoctor.After some consultation, they told her they wanted to give her a scan to make sure there was nobleedingoranyotherabnormalitieswithherbrain.

Caelyngaveuphope.Sheletthemscanher.

Shestoppedansweringtheirquestions.Noneofitmatteredanymore.Elijahwasgone.Hewasinjail.Hewasntcomingback.

***

Hermotherhadbeencalled.Apparently,theparamedicshadcalledhertoletherknowthatCaelynwasbeingtakentotheER.

CaelynwasntevensureiftheydgottenhermothersnumberbyusingtheaddressonCaelynsdriverslicenseorsomeotherway.

Whenhermothershowedupatthehospital,Caelyncouldhardlylookather.

ThedoctorexplainedtoCaelynsmotherthatthebrainscanhadcomebackclean.

Shedoesnthaveanybleedingorongoingtraumathatwereawareof,thedoctorsaid.

Caelynsmother,wearingadarkcoat,andlookingtired,justnoddedweakly.

Shesbeenactingverystrangely,hermothersaid.Areyousureshesokay?

Thedoctor,athinwomanwithanestofbrownstrawlikehairatopherhead,justsighed.Yourdaughterexperiencedatraumaticbraininjury.Shesprobablynotokayinthewayyoudlikehertobe.Also,herboyfriendwasarrested,soshesupsetandstressed,whichmakesthingsappearworse.

Caelynstaredattheceiling,adeeprageburninginsideofher.Butsheknewbetterthantospeak,asthedoctorandhermotherdebatedherhealthandmentalstate.

Sheknew that if she didwhat she hadhalf amind to do and started screaming and throwing thingsaroundtheroom,theydenduplockingherupinthementalward.AndthatwouldbeexactlywhathermotherwantedproofthatCaelynwasntmentallycompetenttodecidewhattodowithherownlife.

Shedidntintendtogivehermotherthesatisfaction,andthehospitalwasntgoingtoreleaseherintoherowncare.Physically,shewasweakandgettingweaker.

ThestrainoflosingElijahhaddoneherin.

Welltakeherhome,sheheardhermothersay,butitwasdullinherears.

Wouldyoulikethat,Caelyn?thedoctorasked,herbirdlikehandsfiddlingwiththechartasshetookoutapentowriteanewprescription.Somethingforanxiety,shesaid.Tobetakenasneeded.

TheprescriptionwashandedtoCaelynsmother,whopocketeditlikesomedrugdeal.

Caelynhatedhersomuch.Shehatedherwitheverythinginherbody.

TheonlypersonshehatedmoreintenselywasDeena.Anditwasntevenclose.

TheybroughtawheelchairoverandinstructedCaelyntositinthechair,andthenshewaswheeledoutofthehospitalandtothecurb,whereherfatherhadbroughtthecararound.

Forabriefsecond,whentheyweremovingherintothebackseatofthecar,shethoughtshedactuallyseenDeenasittinginthere,andCaelynnearlyscreamedbloodymurder.

Butithadbeensomesortofhallucination.Thebackseatwasemptyasshegotintoit.Herfatherturnedandlookedbackatherwithwearyeyes.Hi,Caelyn.

Caelyndidntmuchfeellikeanswering,soshesaidnothing.

Hermothergotinthepassengersideandleanedover,whisperinginhisear.

Caelynsdadnoddedhisheadquickly.Gotit,hesaid,andthenpulledoutandstarteddrivingawayfromthehospital.

Caelyn leaned against the cold glass of thewindow, her cheek pressed against it like shed done somanytimesasalittlegirl,drivingwithherparentstoallsortsofplaces.Howdifferentitfeltnow,shethoughtdully.

In the past, it had been comforting. The familiar smells of the carair freshener, her fathers drycleaning,oldleather.Butnowshethoughtthateverythingthathadoncecomfortedherhadbeenalie.

Yes,herparentshadbeensupportiveandloving,butonlybecauseshedbeentheperfectchildforthemto trot out to their friends and co-workers. Shed been the golden child, and now shewas the blacksheep.

Now they wanted to destroy her, they wanted to destroy everything that was different from theirfantasiesofwhoshewas.

Elijah was gone, and it was all because of themDeena was just a puppet, as far as Caelyn wasconcerned.

ShewouldnthaveevenbeensurprisedifDeenahadactedonbehalfofhermother.

Areyouhungry?

The question cut through the haze of Caelyns darkmusings about her familys true intentions. Sheblinkedlazily.Hungry?sherepeated,asifithadbeenacomplicatedquestion.

WecanstopatMcDonaldsifyouwant.Hermothersvoicewassoothing,asiftryingtolullherintoastateofsubmission.Theydalreadytriedthreats,nowcamebribery.

Caelynseyesnarrowed.Shewantedtoknowwhyhermotherwasbeingsoniceagain,suddenly.

Andthensherealizedwhy.

Itsbecauseshegotridofhercompetition.Elijahwastheonethingstandinginthewayofhertakingbackcontrol.Elijahwasherarchenemyandhesbeentakencareof.

ShethinksthatwithoutElijahsinfluence,Illcaveinandgobacktobeingthedaughtershewantsmetobe.

Caelynsmiledalittleasitoccurredtoherhowshewouldgetherrevenge.Playalonguntilshefoundheropeningandthenshewouldstrike.

Iamalittlehungry,sheadmitted.

Hermothersmiledwider.Doublecheeseburgerwithfries?

AndalargeDietCoke,Caelynsaid.Ifthatsokay.

Caelynsmotherandfatherexchangedglances.Maybeshedlaiditontoothick,shethought.Theyweresuspiciousofhercompliance.

Butthentheyeachseemedtorelaxintheirseats,asifamoreimportantquestionthanwhattoeatfordinnerhadjustbeenanswered.

McDonaldssoundsgoodtome,herfatherchuckled.

Metoo,hermotherreplied.

***

Caelynateallherfoodanddrankhersodaonthewayhome.Thewrappersatonherlap,littlebitsofyellowcheesestillstucktoitaftershedeatenherburger.ShelickedthesaltfromherfingertipsafterchompingdowntheverylastFrenchfry.

Conversationinthecarhadbeensparse,asifherparentswereafraidtosaytoomuchandruinthecalmthathadsomehowbeenestablished.

Youmustbetired,hermothersaid,astheyturnedintotheirneighborhood.

Yeah,IdontthinkIcanrememberwhatitsliketonotbetired,Caelynsaid,staringoutthewindowat the big houses and the impeccable lawns. Everything looked perfect, and she remembered a timewhenithadactuallybeenperfect,too.

Her life hadoncebeen so simple, uncomplicated.Shed thought that everythingwould alwaysbe aseasyasdecidingwhethertotakeOrganicChemistryorEnvironmentalChemistry.

Shedassumedthatshedmeetanicecollegeboywhowasstudyingtobealawyeroranacademicofsome sort. Theyd marry, spend holidays with her family and his, discuss intellectual things; go tomuseumsandcoffeeshops.Theywouldtraveltodifferentpartsofthecountryandworldastheybuilttheirlivesandcareers.

Ithadallbeenontrack,untilsheddiscoveredthatbeneaththebeautyandperfectionwasarottingpileofgarbage.

Jaysonhadexposedhertothetruthbehindthelie.

Afterhed rapedher,Caelynhadknown thatnothingwould everbe the sameand shed tried to runfromit.Butnowtherewasnowherelefttorun.Theonepersoninherlifewhoshecouldtrustandcountonhadbeentakenfromher.

ShewonderedwhatElijahwasdoingrightthisinstant.Sheimaginedhiminhandcuffs,hisheadbowed,waitingtobetakenintoaprisoncell.

Herbreathcaughtinherchest.

Dontcry,Caelyn.Youcannotcry,notinfrontofthem.

Shewantedtoscreamandcryandyellattheheavens,butthatwasntallowed.

Shewasinenemyterritory,andsheneededtostaystrong.

Inhermind,shesawElijahturnandlookoverhisshoulderather.Hiseyesweredarkandcalmandsad,buthewasntafraid.

Givemestrength,shesaidtohim.Please,ifyoucanhearme,Elijah

CaelynhadneverreallybelievedinESPoranyofthatpsychicstuff,butrightthenshefeltherneedforElijahmightcreatethepossibilityofit.Asifjustwantingitenoughcouldforcetheentireuniverseandlawsofphysicstobendtoherwill.

Lethimhearme, she prayed. Just let him know that I need himand Imiss him. Ifhe could tell mesomethingtoletmeknowthathesokayifIcouldjusthearhisvoicerightnow

Andassheclosedhereyes,shesawElijahstilllookingoverhisshoulderather.

Hismouthcurledintothatfamiliarsmile.

Dontbesoquicktocrumblewhenthegoinggetstough,kid,hechuckled.

Imnotgoingtoletyoudown,sohavealittlefaith.

The car pulled to a stop and Caelyn opened her eyes. Tears fell down her cheeks, silently, and shelookedatthecarfloorandwipedthemawayasquicklyasshecould.

Deenasinherroom,Caelynsmothersaid.Wetoldhertostaythereforawhile,sinceweimagineyoureprobablyveryangrywithherrightnow.

Caelyngritherteeth.Justthementionofheryoungersistersnamemadeherwanttosmashsomethingwithherfist.

Imokay,Caelynmuttered.

Youdont have to do anything but go inside and go to your room, hermother continued. Unlessyoudliketobewiththefamily

No,Caelyninterrupted.Illgotomyroom.Illprobablyjustgotosleepanyway.

Hermotherandfatherlookedatoneanother,concernetcheddeeplyontheirfaces.

Icantbelievethatthesepeopleareactuallyrelatedtome.Ihatethem.

Partofherfoughtagainstthehate,knowingthattheywereonlytryingtodowhatwasrightforher.Sheknewthatinherparentsminds,theywereonlydoingtherightthing.

Deena,ontheotherhand

ButDeenawasanotherstory,andCaelynwasdeterminedtodealwithhersisterlater.

Theyallgotoutofthecarandwentinside.

Thehousewaseerilyquiet,andstrangelyunfamiliarlikeapoorcopyofthehomesheremembered.Italllookedthesameinside,butnothingfeltrightanymore.

Nothingfeltright.

Itsall fake.Everychair,everystupidmagneton therefrigeratorevery familypictureon thewallnoneofitsreal.

Beneaththephonyouterlayerwasthetruth.Andthetruthwasthatthesepeopledidntcareaboutheratall.Theyonlycaredaboutthemselvesandwhatmadethemfeelgoodabouttheirlives.Anythingthatmightinconveniencethemwastobecrushedanddiscardedanddestroyedatallcosts.

Caelynwalkedwithgreateffortupthestairsandtoherbedroom.Asshegottoherroom,shepausedandlistened.Faintly,shecouldhearDeenahummingaKatyPerrysongthroughthethinwalls.

Shealmost couldntholdherselfback fromwalking the fewextra stepsdown thehall toher sistersroom.Howeasyitwouldhavebeentothrowopenthedoor,stormintotheroomandbeginpummelingDeena.Witheverypunchlanded,therewouldbethesatisfactionofknowingthatthepainDeenawasexperiencingwasbutasmalltasteofthepainshedneedlesslyinflictedonCaelynandElijah.

ButCaelynresistedtheimpulse.

Sheclosedthedoortoherroomandsatdownonherbed.Lookingout thebedroomwindow,Caelynrememberedthenotsodistantpast,whenshedgottenatextfromastrangenumberandthenseenthetrucksittingoutside,parkedinfrontofthehouse.

ThathadbeenElijah,andshedleftwithhimthatnight.Justthinkingaboutitmadehersmile.

But thenshesnappedback to thepresent,back tosittingon thebed,alone, inahousesharedbyhermotherandfatherandsister.Threepeoplewhodidntunderstandher,threepeoplewhodactivelytriedtostopherfromdoingwhatmadeherhappy.

ThesilencewasgrimandCaelynwasjumpingoutofherskinafterjustafewminutes.

Shefinallycrawledintobedandcurledbeneaththecovers.Shewasstillweak,andbeingawakeforsolong,withlittlerest,hadtrulytakenalotoutofher.Shefelthereyesbeginningtoclose,asshestartedtodriftanddrift.

***

Elijahwaschangingaflattire.

RainwaspouringdownandElijahwassoakedtothebone,kneelinginthemud,asCaelynstoodnearbyandwatched.

HewaschangingthetireonDeenascarandhedjackedthebackleftsideupinordertoreplacetheflatwithabrandnewwheel.

Deenawasntaround,butCaelynknewthatsheddonesomethingtohurtElijah.

Shed tamperedwith the car or the jack in someway. Caelyn tried to say something, tried towarnElijah,buthecouldnthearher.

Shewatchedashelaboredintherain,hist-shirtsoakedthroughtohisskin,mudsplatteringhisjeansas

heswitchedoutthebadtireandwasabouttoputonthegoodone.

Justthen,thecarmadealoudandfrighteningcreaking,grindingnoiseandslippedoffthejack.

Itfellheavily,pinningElijahsarm.Hegaveahorrificscreamofpain,anditsearedthroughCaelynasshesawbloodpouringintothemud,mixingwithit.

Nowshewasscreamingtoo.Screamingandscreaming,andsoonshewastrappedinthedarknessandshewasfightingforherlife.

Whenshewokeup,herfatherwassittingnexttoheronthebedwithwideeyes.

Caelyn,itsokay.Itsokay.Itsjustabaddream,hesaid.

She licked her lips and took a gasping breath. It took her a moment to realize that none of it hadhappenedElijahhadntbeenpinnedunderDeenascar.Andyet,shethought,therealityofwhathadhappenedtohimwasntallthatdifferent.

Deenahadtrappedhimjustthesame.

Herfatherputahandonhershoulder.Hishair,shenoticed,wasinfinitelymoregraythanthelasttimeshedpaidattention.Imfine,shetoldhim.

Helookeddownatherwithapityinggaze.Whatwereyoudreaming?

Nothing,shesaid,lookingawayfromhim.Icantremember.

Hesighed,nodding.Heclaspedhishandsonhislap,butcontinuedtositontheedgeofherbed.

Caelynturnedtolookattheclockonhernightstand.Itreadeight-thirtya.m.

Shedsleptthroughtheentirenight,apparently.

Iknowthishasbeenahorribleordealforyou,Caelyn,hesaid.

Dad, I dont want to talk to you right now. She felt her heartbeat getting faster and her palmssweating.Theangerwasstillsoclosetothesurfaceandthepainandsadness,too.

But her father seemed to have other ideas. I know you dont want to talk to me, and I totallyunderstandwhy.ButImyourfather,Caelyn.Anditstimewehadaseriousdiscussionjustyouandme.

Caelynsighedandshookherhead,draggingherselfintoasittingposition.Itwasnteasy.Herarmswerestillweak.Shelookedathim.DidMomsendyouupheretohavethisdiscussion?

Thisisntgoingtoturnintoyoucross-examiningme,Caelyn.

Itsasimplequestion.

Hegrimaced.YourmotherandIboththoughtitmightbebetterformetotryandspeaktoyoualone.

Dad,itskindoftoolateforthissortoftalk.Imean,itsover.Elijahsinjail.

Youdonthavetoworryaboutmerunningawayandgoingbacktohim.

Thisisntabouthim.Herdadlookeddirectlyather.

Thenwhatisitabout?

Itsaboutputtingourfamilybacktogether.

Caelyn couldntmeet his gaze.She thought aboutDeena and everything sheddoneespecially thislastthing.Idontknowifthatspossibleanymore.

Itispossible.Wereafamily.Thatstillmeanssomething,lastIchecked.

DoyouthinkIwantittobethisway?

Ifyouwantittochange,thenstartactinglikeyoucare.Stoptreatingeachandeveryoneofusliketheenemy.Werenottheenemy.

Sheglancedupathim,butthenawayagain.IloveElijah.

Shecaughtaglimpseofhispainedexpressionathearinghersaythosewords.Iknowyouthinkyoulovehim,but

Herstomachclenched.Yousee, this iswhywecant talk,Dad.Becauseyoucome inhereandyouwanttobehonestwitheachother,butthenyoutryandtellmeIdontlovethepersonIknowIlove.

Herfatherbreathedheavilythroughhisnostrils.Whatdoyouexpectmetosay,Caelyn?Youwantmetoapplaudyourdecisionsinlife?Runningawayfromhome?

Lying?Intimidation?Stealing?Movinginwithacriminal?ShouldIsupportthatkindofbehavior?

Sheshookherhead,staringdownatherhandsassheclutchedthebedspreadandsqueezedit.Ididntaskforanythingfromyou.

Youreaskingalotmorethanyourealize,herfathersaid,gettingoffthebed.

Buteven ifyou thinkyouvegivenuponus,wehaventgivenuponyou.Andweneverwill.Heturnedandlefttheroom.

ThedoortoherroomwasopenandCaelynsatthere,staringoutintotheemptyhallway.

Shedidntwanttobethere.Shecouldntstanditanymore.Couldntstandanotherminuteinthathouse,letalonetheeternitythatstretchedoutbeforeher.

IminprisonalmostasmuchasElijah,sherealizedsuddenly.

Theywouldntpayforanyofherschooling,soshecouldntgobacktoCambridge.Shehadnomoneyleft.Sincetheaccident,shewasweakandfrailandeasilyexhausted.

Shecouldntworkafulltimejoborliveonherown.

Imtrapped.Trapped.

Havingfunyet?thefamiliar,nastyvoicecalledoutfromthehallway,asDeenasshadowfellacrossCaelynsdoorway.

AchillranthroughCaelynsverybones.

Amomentlater,Deenawalkedintoherbedroom.Shewassunny-faced,smilingliketheywerethebestoffriendsandnothingstrangehadeverhappenedbetweenthem.

Icouldnthelpbutoverhearyourconversation justnow,Deenasaid,grinningevenwider.Shewaswearingaplaidskirtandwhiteblouse,herhaircombedandfluffed,makeuponallofwhichgaveheranoldergirlsappearance.Youcanbemiserable,Caelyn,butIdontseewhyyouretakingitoutonpoorDad.

Caelynwasfilledwithangerthatransodeep,shethoughtshemightactuallybecapableofmurder.Noone,notevenJayson,hadeverincurredsomuchhatred.Idonthaveanythingtosaytoyou,Deena,Caelynreplied,tryingtokeephervoicesteady.

Whynot?DeenacrossedtoCaelynsbookcaseandstartedbrowsingcasually.

Ialwaysthoughtyouhadweirdtaste inbooks,shesaid,pullingoutanoldcopyofSlaughterhouseFivebyKurtVonnegut.Inevercouldfigureitout.But,shesaid,tossingthebookbackontopoftheotherbooks,maybeitslikeyourtasteinmen.Shesmirked.Anyway,Iverecentlystartedtogainanappreciationoffineliterature.Somaybewehavemoreincommonthenwethought.

Getout,Deena.Caelynswallowed.Herheartwasracing.ShewaspicturingElijahinhandcuffsbeingledawayfromher.ThinkingabouthowhehadtopayforDeenasvindictivenaturewithyearsofhislife.

Itwasntfair.Anditwasimpossibletobeinthesameroomwithher.

Listen,IknowthatyouprobablythinkIputmycreditcardinElijahsjacket,

shesaid,walkingafewstepsclosertothebed.

Youknowwhatyoudid,Caelynreplied.Herlipswerenumb.

IfonlyIhadmystrength,shethought.Idjumpoutofthisbedandbeatherwithinaninchofherlife.

Thethingis,Elijahreallyisascumbagthief,Deenasaid,hervoicesoundingsorrowful,asifithurtherdeeplytotellCaelynsuchathing.

Caelynstaredathersister,literallyatalossforwords.

Deenagrinnedwidely.AndevenifhewasntascumbagthiefwhichwebothknowheisElijahsaloser.Hesinandoutofjail,totallyuseless.Howcouldyouseeyourselfwithsomeonelikehim?

Deena,youknowwhatyourproblemis?Caelynasked.

Whydontyoutellme?Deenacrossedherarmsandtiltedherhead.

Nobodyseverlovedyou,Caelynsaid.

Deena snorted, but Caelyn thought she saw a small wince, almost imperceptible, as if Deena hadinstantly been hurt and then pretended not to be. If what you and that loser hadwas called love,Deenasaid,thenIthinkIlltakeapass.

ImnottalkingaboutElijah.ImtalkingaboutMomandDad.Theyneverlovedyouliketheylovedme,Caelynsaid.Youknewitanditdroveyoucrazy.

Deena sneered. They justworshippedyoubecause theyhadno ideawhat an imbecileyouwere thewholetime.Butnowlookatyou,lyingtherelikeabagofbones.

Kickedoutofschool.Nofriends.Noboyfriend.MomandDadhateyou.Youdisgustthem.

But Im loved,Caelynsaidsoftly.Hell always loveme,and theresnothingyoucandoabout it.Becausenobodywilleverloveyou,Deena.

DeenassmilefadedandhereyesturnedcolderanddeaderthanevenJaysons.

Youshouldbecarefulwhatyousaytome,Caelyn.YoudontknowwhatImcapableof.

Caelynsuddenlyfeltstrongerthanshedfeltinalongtime.Maybeitwastheadrenalinerushofalltheanger,but shemadeherselfgetoutofbedand standup,quickly,withouteffort.Then shewalked towithinafewinchesofwhereDeenawasstandingandglaredintohereyes.

You dont knowwhat Im capable of.And if you dont leavemy roomright nowIm going tobreakyournose.

Deenalaughed,butshetookastepback.IcouldknockyouoverifIbreathedonyou.

Trymeyoulittlebitch.Caelynclenchedherfists.

Deenasliptwitched,andthenshespunonherheelandwalkedoutoftheroom.

Whenshewassafelyinthehallway,Deenastoppedandspokeoncemore.Gosh,Ijusthadahorriblethought.DoyouthinkElijahsgoingtoarealprisonlikeonewherehellbeviolatedbyabunchofbigcriminals?Acuteyoungguylikehim

Caelynwanted to run after her, but now the strength shed felt amoment ago seemed to be quicklyfading.

Asifsensingit,Deenagiggledandthenwalkedawayasifsheownedtheworld.

***

CaelyndecidedtosearchDeenasroom.

Caelynhadbeensittingandstewing,exhaustedbutfuriousacold,brittlefurythatsappedherstrengthandmadehernauseous.

ThethingsDeenahaddoneandsaidtoherjustcouldntbegottenawaywith.ShethoughtaboutElijahandthewayhestoodupforhimself.

Elijahwouldneverletanyonetalktohimlikethat,hurthimlikethat.

ThinkingofElijahmadehersmile,butthenitmadeherwanttocry.Shepicturedhiminthekitchenoftheoldapartment,cookingsomethingonthestoveandcrackingjokeswhileCaelynlaughed.

Downstairs,shecouldhearthefamiliarsoundsofhermotherandfatherandDeenatalkingtoandatoneanotherasifnothingintheworldwaswrong.

Deenawasbabblingabouthowsheandafriendweregoingtothelibrarytostudy.

ThemomentCaelynheardhersistersaythatshewasgoingtothelibrary,Caelynknewthatitwasalie.

Deenasnotgoingtostudy.Shesdoingsomethingbad.

Butthatdidntevenreallymatteritwasbesidethepoint.ThegoodpartwasthatCaelynknewDeenaleavingthehousewouldgiveherachancetosneakintoDeenasroomanddosomesleuthing.

Shewantedtodigupsomedirtonhercreepylittlepsychopathsister,andCaelynwasfairlycertainthatshedbeabletofindsomething.

Deenawas somuchworse thanCaelynhad ever imagined.Howhadnt she seen it?All those yearsgrowinguptogether,someofthemgood,andfuntimesspentinoneanotherscompany.

HowhadshemissedthatherlittlesiswasquietlyturningintoCharlesMansonsprotg?

Caelynwaiteduntilsheheardthefrontdooropen,thenwenttothewindowandsawDeenarunningtohercar,gettinginside.Aminutelatershewaspullingoutofthedrivewayandgone.

Caelynsmiledtoherself.

Nowwellseewhatyouvebeenupto.Wellseehowmuchyoulikebeingsetupforafall.Adoseofyourownmedicinemightnottastesosweet.

Shewalkedslowlyoutofherownbedroomandturnedtogodowntohersistersroom.

Oh,youreup,Caelynsmothersaid,comingupthestairs.

Caelynfrowned.Justgoingtothebathroom.

Ithinkyoushouldatleasteatsomething.

Imnothungry.

Caelyn

Okay,Illgrabaquicksandwich,butthenImcomingbackuptobed.

Hermothersmiledgratefully.Illmakeyouapeanutbutterandjelly?

ThesoundofherdesperationmadeCaelynitchywithdiscomfort.Shedidntwanttopityhermother.Itwasfareasiertojusthateher.Sure,peanutbutterandjellysoundsgreat,Mom.

HermotherheadedquicklydownstairsandCaelynfollowed.

Inthekitchen,hermotherbeganpreparingapeanutbutterandjellysandwich.

Caelynploppeddownonachairby the tableandwatched,marvelingathowstrangely familiar itallseemedandyet,itwasalltotallydifferent.

Hermothersmovementswerejustastheydalwaysbeen,andthesoundsofsilverwareclinkingasshetookouttheknifeandswirleditaroundinthepeanutbutterjarwerejustasCaelynrememberedfromherchildhood.

It was as though she was split in two, feeling the distant memories of love and comfort that thosesoundsandsmellsandsightsbroughtback.Atthesametime,shewasstuckinthepresentmomentofmistrustandbetrayalandanger.

Shesawhermothernowaslittlemorethanarobot,someonewhodbeenprogrammedtobehavelikeagoodmom,butunderneathitallshehadherownpoisonousagenda.

Still,asCaelynwatchedhermothergothroughtheactofpreparingasandwich,Caelyncouldnthelpbutfeelawaveofdeepsadnessandregret.

MaybeifIdtoldthemrightawaywhenJaysonrapedme

MaybeifIhadnttriedtorun

But then youd never havemetElijah.And despite all the pain and suffering,youd never trade theshorttimewithElijah,wouldyou?

No.IwouldnttradeevenasecondoftimewithElijahforallthemoneyandsecuritytheworldcouldoffer.

Her mother brought the plate over and set it down in front of Caelyn and looked at her with anexpectantsmile.Ievencutitdiagonally,hermothersaid.Justthewayyoulikeit.

Again, the wave of pity and disgust washed over Caelyn. She tried to force a smile. Looks great.Thanks.Shepickeditupandtookabite.Thesandwichwasdry,thepeanutbutteroverwhelmingthe

jelly.

Eventhesandwichwasntwhatitlookedlikeontheoutside,Caelynthoughtgrimly.Shechewedandchewed,hermouthcloggedwiththebreadandpeanutbutter.

Hermombroughtoveraglassofmilk.

Caelynchoked italldown,wantingnothingmore than togetoutof thereandgoupstairs toDeenasroom.

Eventually, hermother said shewas going to go and read upstairs in her bedroomwith the TV on.Caelynsfatherwasinthebasement,putteringaroundwiththedrywall.

Hedbeenintermittentlyattemptingtofinishthebasementforyears.

Caelynsaidshewasprobablygoingtotakeashowerandwatchsometelevisioninthefamilyroom.

Thatsgood,honey,hermothersaid,allowingathinhandtodrifttoCaelynsshoulderwhereitrestedforalongmoment.Youjustrelax.

Caelynrepressedashudder.Thanks,Mom.Youtoo.Gotakealoadoff.

Hermotherwithdrewherhandandlookeddownmournfully.YouknowIloveyou,dontyou?

Caelynthoughtaboutit.Shenodded.OfcourseIdo,shesaid.

Hermothersmiledtheghostofasmileandthenturned,withadeepsigh,andlefttogoupstairs.

ShewonderedifhermotherhadpossiblycomeupwiththeplantoputthecreditcardinElijahsjacket.MaybeshedevenurgedDeenatodoit.

Wouldhermotherhavestoopedsolow?Caelynwondered.Shedidntknowanymore.

She listened to hermothers footsteps going upstairs and then the door to the bedroomopening andclosing,andmorefootstepscreakingthefloorboardsabove.

Finally,afterafewminutes,itgrewsilent,andCaelynknewhermotherwaslyinginbed,readingwiththeTVonlowvolume.

ThatswhenCaelynmadehermove.

She got up and turned the TV on in the family room. She even turned the channel to a ReeseWitherspoonmovie,justtoaddtotherealismofherlie.

Then Caelyn made her way slowly and quietly up the steps and down the hallway to her sistersbedroom.

Caelynwasnt surehow long shehadbeforeDeenagothomeorhermother and father camenosingaround.Sheneededtobequickandefficient.

EnteringDeenasroom,thescentofheavyperfumeenteredhernostrils.Deenasroomwasanarrayofpinksandblues,everythinglookingmuchasithadwhenDeenawasjusttenorelevenyearsold.

Funny,Caelynthought,howonceagainthesurfaceofthingswassomisleading.

Despiteallthepinksandbluesandtheteddybearsonherbed,Deenawasanastycreature.

Caelynclosedthedoorquietlybehindherandsurveyedtheroomoncemore.

First thingsfirst,CaelynmadeabeelinetothedeskandDeenasMac.SheopenedupDeenaslaptopand saw that it was password protected. Damn it. Her parents actually let Deena keep her laptopprotectedlikethat?

Theyreallyhadnoideawhatshewasupto.Theywereclueless.

KnowingitwouldbenearlyimpossibletofigureoutDeenaspassword,shewenttothecloset.Thereweretonsofclothes.CouldDeenahavestolenanyofthis?Surely,Caelynthought,hermotherhadntallowedDeenatobuysomuchexpensiveclothing.

When Caelyn had wanted new clothes as a teenager, shed practically had to beg on her knees.Eventually,shedworkedpart-timeandusedthatmoneytobuynicerclothes,butDeenahadnopart-timejob.

CaelyndidntknowifDeenawasstealingorwhat,butitdidntmatter.SheneededmorethanexpensiveclothingtogetDeenaintrouble.

Idontjustwanttogetherintrouble,anyway.Iwanttowhat?

Iwanttoexposeher.Iwanttorubherwoundsrawandthrowsaltonthem.

Caelynsmiled,nodding.Yes,exposethelittlecretinandshoweveryonewhatpreciousDeenawasreallylike.

Shekneeleddownandpushedasidethesneakersandhighheels,lookingforsomethingmoredefinitive.

Butsheneededtobecareful.

Afterknockingasidetheshoesandfindingnothing,Caelynrealizedshewasbeingtoosloppy.Sheputtheshoesbackinthebasicordertheydbeeninbeforeshedstartedsnooping.

Theclosetwasntyieldinganythingfruitful.

CaelyngotupandstartedriflingthroughDeenasdresserandbureauanddesk.

Onceagain,itwasmostlynothingspecial.

Shedbeenhopingtofindaprivatejournal,somethinganythingthatwouldgiveinsightintoDeenasinsanemind.Butsofar,everythingwasjustnormalteenagestuff.

IfIcouldjustfindawaytogetaholdofherphone

Shewas certain thatDeenas phonewould have all sorts of incriminating stuff in it. Texts, pictures,emails.

Shit,ofcourse,Caelynsaidshakingherhead.Ithadtobethelaptop.

Ithadtobe.

You just have to figureout thepassword. Its probably themost obvious thing in theworld, knowingDeena.

Shestartedtypinginvariouspossiblepasswords.

Nothingsimplewasworking.ShetriedvariouscombinationsofDeenasfirstandlastname,addedthemiddle name, tried capitalizing differently. If Deena was intelligent enough to add a sequence ofnumbersintoherpassword,itwouldbecompletelyimpossibletoguess.

ButCaelynthoughtthatDeenawastoostupidandtooarroganttomakethepasswordverycomplicated.

Caelyn wondered howmuch time she had left before someone came looking for her. Deena wouldprobablygoneforawhile,buthowlongwouldhermotherbeabsorbedinabook,howlongwouldherfatherbeputteringaroundinthebasement?

Timewasshort.

Andthenithither.Deenahadntusedherownnameasthepassword.

Ofcoursenot.

Instead,Caelyntypedherownnameinasthepassword.Suddenly,shewasin.

ThescreenchangedtoavisionofDeenasdesktop.

Caelyncouldhardlybelieveitherself.

Sheusesmynameforherownpassword.Howcreepyisthat?

Andwhatdoesitmean?

ScrollingquicklytoDeenasdocuments,Caelynstartedtryingtopinpointanythingsuspicious.

Youalwaysknewshewas jealousandcompetitive,butnowyouknowwhatmotivatedher to feel thatway.Shewishesshecouldbeyou.

MaybetherewouldbesomethingDeenahadwritteninthepast,ventingabouthatingCaelynorwantingtohurther.Caelynopenedupsomeofthemorerecentdocuments,buttheywereallschoolassignments.

Interestingly,therewasanEnglishpaperwherethefirstlinewasaquotefromthebook,Lolita.Caelyn

vaguelyrememberedthatbookbeingaboutateacherwholustsafteraveryyoungstudent.

Caelynscannedthroughtherestofthepapertoseeiftherewasanythingstrangeinit,butitwasdullanduninformative.

Next,sheopenedtheInternetbrowserandlookedatthehistory.Thecachehadntbeenclearedinquitesometime.Caelyngrinned.Shewasgettingsomewherenow.

Thatswhensheheardnoisefromdownstairs.Herfather,callingout.

Hey,whereiseveryone?heyelled,hisvoicemuffledanddistant.

Shit, Caelyn said, squinting as she tried to speed up. She knew that there was something in theInternethistory.Therehadtobesomething.

Most of the sites inDeenas browsing historywere normal stuff.Online shopping,TMZ, Facebook,Instagram.Shewasable topullupDeenas facebookpagebecauseDeenahadstayed logged in.SheclickedonDeenasprivatemessages.Therewasalottolookat.

Shehadatonoffriendsandthereweredozensanddozensofcommunications.

Deenawasapparentlyaverybusybee.

From the hallway, she heard the sound of a door opening, and then her mothers voice callingdownstairs.Imcomingdown,hermothercalledout.HaveyouseenCaelyn?

No,herfatherreplied.

Illcheckonherinaminute.

Caelynsskinbrokeintogoosebumps.Oh.My.God.Hereyeswidened.

Shed just found something so crazy on Deenas computer that she couldnt believe what she wasseeing.

Itwasbeyondasmokinggunitwasanatomicbomb.Deenahadbeenavery,verynaughtygirl.

ButCaelynwasrunningoutoftime.

Justshowthemwhatyoufound.ShowMomandDadrightnowandDeenaslifewillbeover.RuinherlifethewaysheruinedyoursandElijahs.

Caelynactuallystoodup,readytoyellforhermotherandfathertocomeintoDeenasbedroomrightthatinstant.

Even if theymight be initially upset atCaelyn for snooping, itwouldntmatter once they sawwhatshedfound.OncesheshowedthemtheproofthevisualproofofwhatkindofpersonDeenareallywastheydneverbeabletoforgetorbrushitundertherug.

ButjustasCaelynopenedhermouth,somethinginsidetoldhertowait.

Notsofast.

Comeon.Deenawouldnthesitatetobustyouiftheroleswerereversed.

Butthatwasthepoint,wasntit?Caelynthought.Deenawasnothingbutanattackdog.Shehadnorealstrategy,norealpurpose.Deenacausedpainbecauseitwasinhernature,anditdidntreallyhelphergetanyfurtherinlife.

However,Caelynwasntsimplygoingtoblowthewhistleonhersisterandgetnothingoutofthedeal.

YourenotgoingtogetElijahback.Sowhatcanyoupossiblygetoutofit?

Idontknow.Yet.ButIllfiguresomethingout.

CaelynsatbackdownatDeenasdeskandquicklygottowork.Shehadtomakesureshedhaveaccesstotheevidencewhensheneededitagain.

Bepatient,Caelyn.Elijahneedsyoutobepatient.

Itmightbemonthsoryearsbeforetheywerereunited,andifCaelynwasgoingtofindherwaybacktohim,sheneededtostaycalmandplaythegamesmart.

Nohastymoves.Nothingdonepurelyoutofspite.

ShesmiledasshefinishedemailingherselftheincriminatingmaterialfromDeenascomputer.

And then she got up and left the room. Shed literally just closed Deenas door and walked to thebathroomwhensheheardhermothercallingforher.Caelyn?

Yeah?Caelynsaid,stickingherheadoutintothehallway.

Hermothersexpressionwasdecidedlysuspiciousasshewalkeddownthehall.

IthoughtIheardyououthere.Wereyouwereyouinyoursistersroom?

Caelynlaughedandshookherhead.WhywouldIgointoDeenasroom?Icantstandthesightofher,thelastthingIwanttodoisbeanywhereshespendsmostofhertime.

Idontknow,IjustthoughtIheardherdooropeningandclosing.

Thatwasmydoor.Wererightnexttoeachother.

HermotherseyestoldCaelynthatshedidntbelievetheexcuse,butitdidntreallymatter.

Oh.Iprobablyimaginedit,then.

Illbeoutofthebathroominaminute,Caelynsaid.Andthendoyouwanttotakeawalkaroundtheneighborhoodtogether?

Hermotherseyeswidened.Thatwouldbelovely.

Caelynsmiled.Great.

She wasnt sure where she was even going with all of this. But somehow it made sense. Gain herparentstrust.Actlikeshedaccepteddefeat,evenassheplottedhernextattack.

Sheranthewaterandwashedherfaceatthesink.Partofherwonderedifshewasgoingcrazy.Afterall,Elijahwasdefinitelygoingback to jail fora long time.Theywouldnt lethimoff thehookafterhedalreadyhadabrushwiththelawforviolatinghisparole.

Thiswouldbeviolationnumbertwo.

He was in jail and Caelyn needed to accept that fact. There were no moves to make, nothing thathappenedbetweenherandherparentswouldchangethatfact.

Butsomethinginsideofhertoldherthatsheneededtobeonthealertforopportunities,whatevertheymight be. Shewould get her freedom and shewould fight to see Elijah again and bewith him.Nomatterhowlongshehadtowait.

***

IthitCaelynhardlaterthatday.

Icantdothiswithouthim.Icantdoit.

Shewassittinginherroomagain,listeningtohersisterandfatherandmotherdownstairstalking.Oncemore,shehadthedistinctfeelingthatshedgonebackintimeandwassomehowwatchingheroldlifewithneweyes.

Deenahadbeenatthelibraryforprobablythreeorfourhours.Finally,shedreturnedhome,flauntingherhappinessandfreedomwhileCaelynhadtositandlistenandkeepquiet.

Well,ifIdontlikeit,IcanalwaysgodownthereandtellthemthetruthaboutDeena.

ButCaelynknewthetimewasntrightyet.

Shepacedslowlyinherroom,goingtothewindowandlookingoutat theemptystreet.Sherecalledonceagainhow,notlongago,Elijahstruckhadbeenparkedoutfrontandhedcomeforher.

Tearssprangtohereyes.

Whereishe?Whatshedoing?Whyhasnthecalledme?

Thelasttimehedgonetojail,hedcalledher.Butthistime,nothing.Maybehedsimplycometotheconclusion that with this much time away from each other, there wasnt any point in maintainingcontact.

Maybehedidntthinkshedwanttokeeptalkingtohim,orperhapshefelthewasdoingherafavorby

disappearingfromherlife.

ButCaelyn refused tobelieveanyof that.Shekept staringout thewindowas ifby forceofwill,bysimplyprayingandbeggingtheemptyskyabove,shecouldmakehimappearagain.

She sawElijah in herminds eye,walkingwith a confident swagger through the prison halls.Thereweremenwatchinghimwalkpasttheircells,bigandangrymenwithtattoosandscowls.Theywatchedhim,muttering,spitting.

Elijahjustgrinnedandwalkedon,confidentandsureofhimselfevenintheworstofplaces.

Hedspentenoughtimeinprison;Caelynwasntworriedaboutwhetherhecouldhandleitornot.

Shewasworriedwhethershecould.

Eachseconddraggedout, feeling likedays.The thoughtofenduring this torture forayearor twoorthree

Icant,shegasped.Please,Icant.

Andthencamethefootstepsonthestairs,andalightknockonthedoor.Itwashermother.SheopeneditjustafewinchesinpeeredintofindCaelynatthewindow.

Areyouokay?

Caelynnodded,wipingthetearsfromhereyes.Yeah.

Youshouldcomedownstairswithus.

Icant.Notrightnow.

BecauseofDeena?hermotherasked,using thisasanexcuse toopen thedoorwiderandstep intoCaelynsroom.

Becauseofalotofthings.

Wedontwantyoutofeelexcludedanymore,Caelyn.Hermotherwaspleadingonceagain.Wewantyoutobepartofthisfamily.

Caelynhadtorestrainanangrylaughandkeptthesmirkfromherface.Imtryingmybest,Mom.ButIcantbeIjustcantbearoundDeenarightnow.NotafterwhatshedidtoElijah.

Hestolefromher,Caelyn.

Nohedidnt.Elijahwouldneverhavedonethat.

Iunderstandwhyitseasierforyoutobelievethatyoursisterdidit.Butthatssimplynottrue.Andifyouholdthatgrudge,itsgoingtoeatawayatyouforever.

Mom,Imtryingmybest,Caelynsaid,heremotionsstartingtoget thebetterofher.ThepersonIloveisinjailandImsurroundedbythesameoneswhowantedhimthere.Itsnoteasy.

Iknowitsnoteasy.Butyoushould tryandsee thatwewantwhatsbest foryou,even ifwemademistakes. Tomorrow, well start bringing you back to physical therapy again. And youll also startseeingapsychologist.

Youmademeanappointmentwithapsychologist?

Youneedtoworktowardsbeinghealthy.Hermotherfoldedherarms.

Imsosickofyouthinkingyoucanjustrunmylife,Caelynsaid.AndprotectingDeenainsteadofprotectingme.

Thisisntaboutyoursister.

Wellmaybeitis.Caelynglaredathermother,whoglaredrightbackather.

Maybeforyouitis.

Couldyoupleaseleavemyroomnow?

Hermothershookherhead.ThiswasntwhyIcameinhere.Icame

Iknowwhyyoucameinhere,Caelynsaid,raisinghervoice.Youwantmetopretendeverythingsbacktonormal.Youwantmetoputonanactlikeeveryoneelsedoesinthisfamily.ButIcant.Notnow,anyway.

Hermothersmouthpuckered.Fine.Haveityourway,Caelyn.Sheturnedandshutthedoor.

Momentslater,Caelyncouldhearthemmurmuringandtalkinginlow,almostsecretivevoices.Deenasoundedlikeshewasconsolingthem.

Caelynthoughtabouttheevidenceshepossessed,somethingthatwouldcompletelychangethewayherparentssawDeena.Andnotforthebetter.

Theurgetotellthemeverythinggrewandgrewuntilshenearlyburst.

Notyet,thelittlevoicewhisperedinsideher.

Itsnottimeyet.

When?HowlongdoIhavetowaitbeforeIseeherpaidbackforwhatshedidtohim?

Soon.Soon.

***

Caelyn continued to sit in front of thewindow a long time, as the shadows lengthened outside, she

staredoutattheemptystreet,thinkingaboutElijahandthepast.

Thinkingabouthowthingsmighthavebeendifferent.

Buttheywerentdifferent.Andshewasstuck.

Eventually,fatigueovertookher,andCaelyncrawledbackintobed,curlingupintoaballanddriftingasdarknessandshadowovertookher.

Whenshewasclosetosleep,thevisionsofElijahbecameclearer,morevivid.

Sheheldontohervisions,andthepleasurethatcamewithseeinghimagain.

Evenhearinghim.

Hismouthtwistingupintothatohsofamiliargrin.Heykid,whysoglum?

Ijustmissyou,shetoldhim.Dontgoanywhere.Staywithme,promise?

WhywouldIgoanywhere?

ThisisntrealandIdontwanttowakeup.

Elijahcamecloserstill.It is real,hesaid, reachingoutandcaressinghercheekwithhishand.Shecouldsmell soapandwhenshe tookhishandandpressed it toher lips, itwas justashesaid. It feltcompletelyreal.

Whycouldntthisbereal?Sheaskedherself.

Because,youredreaming.

Dontlosefaithinme,Elijahsaid,leaningsoclosethattheirlipswerepracticallytouching.Hiseyesstaredintohers.Illneverstopthinkingaboutyou,soifyoudontstopthinkingaboutmeourmindswillbelikeone.

Ihopeso,shecried.

Dontbesad,Caelyn.

Imissyourvoice.Imissyoutouchingme.Icantbeawayfromyouforsolong.Whenwillyoucomeback?

HowdoyouknowImnotbackalready?hesaid.

Because,Elijah,youreinjail.

Areyousure?

Yes.

Yourphonesringing,hesaid.

No,itsnot.

Listen.Hechuckled.

Herphonewas,infact,buzzing.Shehearditdistinctly.Butitwasntbuzzinginthedream.Sheknewitwasreallyhappening.Idontwanttowakeup,Elijah.

Youareawake,hesaid.

And then she did in fact snap awake, her eyes opening suddenly, staring up at the ceiling.Caelynsbreathcaughtinherthroat.ThedreamhadfeltsoincrediblyrealthatitwaslikelosingElijahalloveragain.

She turned toseeherphonesittingon thenightstandbesideherbed,vibratingagainstherclock.Shegrabbedatit,fumbling.

Itwasatextfromanunknownnumber.

Isyourlighton?

She stared at her phone as if it had spoken to her. Her mind scrambled for a reason why the textmessagesaidwhatitsaid.ThatwasthesametextElijahhadsentherwhenhedcometoherhouselasttime.

Thenexttextsaid:Secondwindowontheleft?

NowshewassureitwasDeenaplayingsomecrueljoke.Herheartwasracingasshetextedback.

Whoisthis?Whoareyou?Deena?

ButshedidntseehowDeenacouldhaveknownaboutElijahstextstoher.Itdidntmakeanysense.

Icouldntstayaway,theanonymousmessengerreplied.

Thiswassimplytoobizarre.Whoeveritwas,theywererecyclingtheconversationwordforwordthatElijahandCaelynhadhadinthepast.MaybeitwassomejerkycopwhodgottenaholdofElijahscellphone.

Shegotupandwenttothewindow,certainthatshedlookoutandseenothingbutthecoldhardglowofthatlonestreetlight.Butitwasntjustanemptystreetthatgreetedhergaze.

Therewasadarksedanparkedinfrontofherhouse.

Caelynnearlycriedout.

Whowasoutthere?Andwhyweretheytextingherthosethings?

Anothertextbuzzedintoherphone.Comeoutside,Iwanttotalktoyou.

Caelynswallowed.Ithadtobeajoke.Ithadtobesomeawfulprank.

Butwhatifitsnot?Sheaskedherself.Whatifitsreallyhim?

Hesinjail.Hesinprison.Theresnowayforittobehim,Caelyn.Whoeverthatis,itsnotElijah,asbadlyasyoumightwanttobelieveitcouldbe.

Still,herheartwaspoundingandshewantedittoomuchtoresist.Secondslater,Caelynwaswalkingoutofherroomanddownthestairs.Shetripped,nearlyfallingandbreakingherneck.Butshecaughtherselfontherailing,eventhoughshedidmakealotofnoiseintheprocess.

Crap.IhopeIdidntjustwakeeveryoneup.

Butnobodystirred.

Soon,Caelynwasat thefrontdoor,opening itasquietlyaspossible,and then thecoldnightairwashittingherinthefaceandshewasrunningacrossthelawntowardthecar.

Whowasinside?

Shecouldntseeanything.

Caelynwasterrified,butatthesametime,shedidnthaveanythingtolose.

When she got to the car door, she heard the power locks click loudly, as if the person inside wasunlockingthem.Shebentdownandpeeredintothewindow,butitwasimpossibletoseeinside.Itwasfartoodark,evenwiththeglowfromthenearbystreetlight.

Shethrewthedooropen.

Hey,kid,Elijahsaid.Heleanedoverandlookedupatherwithhisdarkeyesandhalf-smile.Soareyougettinginorwhat?

Caelyncriedoutandstumbled,literallycrawlingintothecar,feelinglikeshemuststillbedreaming.

Elijahhelpedtopullherinside.

Caelynbrokedownsobbingasshetouchedhisarms,felthisskin,hisclothing,andthenhewaskissingherlipssoftly.

Areyoureallyhere?shesaid,shaking.

Whatdoyoumean,amIreallyhere?helaughed.LastIchecked,Imnotahallucination.UnlessImhallucinatingmyselfwhich,lately,seemsmoreandmoreadistinctpossibility.

Caelynlaughedtoo,throughhertears.Shetouchedhisface,felthisbeardstubbleonhisjaw.Hisdarkeyeslookedintohers.

Elijah,howdidyougetout?Theyletyougo?Droppedthecharges?

He took her hands in his own as he continued to stare at her with intensity and love and hunger.Somethinglikethat.Hebrokeoffandlookeddownforamoment.

WhenhelookedatCaelynagain,theseriousnesswasback.Canyoucomewithme?

Shenoddedinstantly.Anywhere.

Ithastoberightnow,Elijahsaid.Hebreatheddeeply.Itotallyunderstandifyoucant

Iwouldjumpoffacliffrightthissecondifyouaskedme.ShewasntjokingandElijahnoticed.

Hesmirked.Nothingthatcrazy,hesaid.Atleast,notyet.Maybethecliffwillcomelater.ThelmaandLouisestyle.

Ineversawthatmovie.

Ijustremembertheending,Elijahlaughed.Themgoingoffthatdamncliffinthecar.IthinkitwassupposedtobehappyIdontknow.

Ishouldprobablygobackinsideandgetafewthingstobringwithme,Caelyntoldhim.

Illcomewithyou.

Yourejoking,right?sheasked.

Elijahshookhishead.Youvelostyoursenseofhumorkid.Hestrokedhercheeklightly,justashehadinthedream.

Itshardtokeepmysenseofhumorwitheverythingthatshappenedlately.

Wellyouhavetotry.Itstheonlythingthatkeepsmegoing.

Elijah.Whatareyoudoinghere?Caelynaskedagain.Thisdoesntmakesense.Shelookedaround,half-expectinghiddencamerastoemergefrombehindthetreesandbushes.

Butthestreetwastotallysilentanddark.

Illexplainmore.Butwereallyneedtohittheroad,like,tenminutesago.

Okay.Givemefiveminutes,allright?Caelynasked.

Were already behind schedule, so I guess fivemoreminutes cant hurt toomuch.He grinned hislopsidedgrin.

Caelynleanedinandkissedhislipsoncemore.ShetastedElijah,smelledhim

andshestillcouldntbelievehewasreal.Shewantednothingmorethantositnexttohimandtakeinhisessence,batheinElijahsprotectiveaura.

Butsheneededtohurryandgetherpurse, license,cashandcreditcards,maybeevenafewitemsofclothing.Caelyngotoutofthecar,asElijahwatchedhergo.Shecouldnthelpbutkeeplookingbackoverhershoulderasshedidherbesttorushtothehouse.

Sheneededtoknowthathewasreallystillthere.

Evenasshegottothefrontdoor,lookingbackoncemore,Caelynwascertainhiscarwouldbegoneandshedhavefinallylosthermindcompletely.

Butthecarwasstillthere,waiting.Waitingforherreturn.

Caelynsmiled,herheartleaping,asshecreptinsidethehouse.Herheartwashammeringinherchestandshefeltflush.Climbingthestepstothesecondfloor,allCaelyncouldthinkaboutwasthefactthatsomehowhedcomeforheroncemore.

Illneverdoubthimagain.Elijahwillalwaysfindme.Always.

Shewenttoherbedroomandimmediatelybegangatheringherthings.Shehadasmallbeachbagthatsheusedtoputafewitemsofclothingin,andthenshegrabbedherpurse.

Caelynscannedherroom,makingsureshedleftnothingimportant,asshedidntintendtocomebackanytimesoon.

ThankGodIcangetoutofthisplace.Iwontmissit.

Heroldroomfeltlikeaprisoncellthatshedfoundthekeyto,andnowshecouldjustwalkoutintothefreshair,afreewoman.

Goingsomewhere?afamiliarvoicesaidloudly.ItwasDeena.

Caelynspun,lettingoutatinyyelpofsurprise.Youstartledme.

Thatsprobablybecauseyoureguilty.Deenacockedaneyebrowandwalkedintothebedroom.Shewaswearingalongt-shirtandnothingelse,asifshedbeensleeping.Butshelookedcompletelyawake.

Guiltyofwhat?Caelynasked,herheartpoundinghardernow.Shethoughtitmightbreakthroughherribcage.

Staycalm,Caelyn.IfDeenasmellsevenahintofwhatyouredoing,shellruinitallwithoutasecondthought.

Well,Idontknow,Deenasighed.Shepointedatthebeachbag,filledwithclothes.Whatsthatfor?Areyourunningawayfromhome?

Caelynglancedatthebagasifshedneverseenitbeforeinherlife.Oh,this?

ThisisforwhenIgotorehabtomorrow.Illneedachangeofclothes.

Oh, thatmakessense.Deenanodded thoughtfully.It just seemsstrange thatyourepackingabag

and getting your purse all ready at this time of night. Besides, I couldve sworn I heard you goingoutside.

Caelynstaredatheryoungersister,thebrightembersofhatredburningassherealizedthatDeenawasmerelytoyingwithher.Sheknew.SheknewthatElijahwasoutsidewaiting,andthiswasthefunshewantedtohavebeforesherippedoutCaelynsheart.

Deena,please.

Please?Youmustreallybedesperate,Caelyn.

Pleasejustletmego.Idontwanttodothisanymore.

Dowhat?

This.Fight.Arentyoutiredofityet?

Deenagrinned, showingher teeth.Youreonly tiredof itbecauseyoure losing.ShecameanothersteptowardsCaelyn.No,letmerephrase.Youreonlytiredbecauseyoulost.

Fine,haveityourway.Ilost.Youwon.Justletmego.Caelyntriedtowalkbyher,butDeenasteppedintoherpath.

Notsotoughthisevening,areyou?SheputherhandsoutandshovedCaelyn,causinghertostumblebackwards,thebackofherkneeshittingthebed.Caelynfellontothebed,staringupathersister,whowasgiggling.

DeenaCaelynsaid.

Stopsayingmyname.Youmakemehatemynamewhenyouuseit.

Imsorry.

Yourenotsorryenoughnotevenclosetoassorryasyouregoingtobe.Youknowthathesgoingtobearrestedagain,dontyou?Imgoingtocallthecopsthesecondyouwalkoutofthisroom.Youllbeluckyifyoumakeitfivemilesbeforeyougetpulledoveragain.

Idontknowwhatyouretalkingabout.

SothatsnotElijahinthatcaroutside,then?Deenaasked,pointingatthewindow.

No,Caelynlied.Itshisbrother.

Bullshit.

Deena,itstrue.YouknowElijahsinjail.Howcouldhebehere?

Deenasmirkedandfoldedherarmsoverherchest.Maybeheescaped.Iguesshehasenoughbrainstodothatbutnotenoughtostayawayfromyou.

Thatsridiculous.ItsjustElijahsbrother.Werefriends.

Wellwhoeveritis,wellseewhathappenswhenthepolicepullthemover.IftheyrerelatedtoElijah,thentheyreprobablyacriminalwithawarrantoutfortheirarrestanyway.

Caelyn sat up and tried to compose herself. She needed to give Deena something to appease her.Listen,Illgiveyouallmymoney.

Youdonthaveany.

Mycreditcards.Caelyngrabbedherpurseandstarteddigging.Youcanchargethemup,Illneversayaword.

Idontwantyourstupidcards.IcangetmoneyifIwantit.Plentyofmoney.

Deenasmirkedagain.IhaveeverythingIwant,exceptonething.

Whatsthat?

You.Miserable. In thishouse.Deenassmirk turned intoagenuinesmileassheconsidered this.Iwantyoutobehere,whereyoureabsolutelyatyourlowestpoint.

Nofriends,noElijah,nothing.AndIgettowatchyousinkdeeperanddeeperintodespair.ThatswhatIwant.

WhatdidIdotoyou,Deena?Whydoyouhatemesomuch?

Deenassmilefadedandherexpressionturnedicy.Dontaskmethat,youstupidbitch.Idontoweyouanexplanation.Idontcareifyougetmeornot.Sheturnedandstartedtowardsthedoor.Timetomakeaphonecall.Ifigurethecopswillwanttoknowaboutanysuspiciousvehiclesparkedoutsideourhouse

Deena,Iknowyoursecret,Caelyncalledafterher.

Deenafrozeinhertracks,herhandonthedoorknobasshepreparedtoleavetheroom.Whatdidyousay?Deenaasked,turningtowardCaelyn.

Youheardme,Caelynsaid.Iknoweverything.Youvebeenbad.Really,reallybad,andyouwerealsostupid.Youlefttheeasiestpasswordeveronyourcomputer.

Deenaseyesnarrowed.Yourelying.

Really? Caelyn got up and stood firmly, her legs feeling sturdier all of a sudden. Imean, I wasflatteredwhenIguessedit.Ifiguredyouwereobsessedwithme,butthatpasswordreallyconfirmedmysuspicions.

Ifyoutryandtellanyone,Illhurtyouworsethanyoucouldimagine,Deenasaid.

Howcanyouhurtmeanyworsethanyouvealreadyhurtme?Caelynasked.

Tryme.

Listen,weshouldcalla truce.Youletmegorightnow,andyoukeepyourevilmouthshut.ThenIwonttellMomandDadandtherestoftheworldwhatyouvereallybeendoingwhenyoupretendtogostudyingatthelibrary.

Deenajuststaredather.Yourebluffing.Youcantproveanything.Illchangemypassword.

Theresthislittlethingcalledemail,Caelynsaidcalmly.Sodontworry.

Youcanrestassuredthatevenifyourcomputermysteriouslywentupinflames,Ivegotbackupcopiesofeverything.AndImeaneverything.

Deenalickedherlips.YoudreallydothattoMomandDadjusttogetbackatme?

Idenjoyit,too,Caelynsaid,staringDeenadown.AndyouknowIwould.

Deenasmouth opened and shut. For the first time in her life, Caelyn thought, she seemed to haveabsolutelynocomeback.

Caelynsmiledatheryoungersisterasshegrabbedherbeachbagandpurse.

HowdoIknowyouwontleaveandtellthemanyway?Deenaasked,asCaelynpushedbyher.

Dontworryaboutme,Deena.Youvegotenoughonyourhands,especiallywiththatstressfulEnglishclassthatseemstotakeupsomuchofyourtimelately.

Deenasjawquivered.Caelyn.Promisemeyouwont

GetoutofmylifeandIllgetoutofyours,okay?Caelynsaid,andthenshewalkedbrisklyoutoftheroomand downstairs.When she left through the front door, she took one look back and sawDeenastaringdownatherfromthesecondfloorrailing.

Caelynwalkedoutside,tookanicelongbreathofcoolair,andthencontinuedtoElijahscar.Shegotinsidewhereitwastoastywarmanddroppedherbagdownnexttoherleg.

Youokay?Elijahasked,ashepulledawayfromthecurbandintotheemptystreet,andthenbegandrivingoffatafastclip.

Imokay.

SilencedescendedforamomentandElijahshiftedgears.Gotenoughroomforyourlegs?

Caelyn nodded. Then she looked at him. Did you somehowI dont knowdid you escape fromprison?

Elijahletoutaloudlaugh.Escapefromprison?YoumakeitsoundlikeaTV

movieoftheweekorsomething.

Didyou?

Hestoppedlaughingandlookedattheroad.No.

Sheletoutasighofrelief.ThankGod.ForasecondIactuallybelieved

Iescapedfromthecourthouse.

Sheputahandoverhermouth,staringathiminshockandhorror.Elijah,pleasetellmeyourejoking.Please.

Heglancedather.YourealizethatIwasgoingbacktojailforthreeyears,right?Threefuckingyears,Caelyn.

Youcantknowthatforsure.

Idoknowitforsure.TheytoldmeatmylasthearingthatIdgetanautomaticreinstatementoftherestofmysentenceifIviolatedparoleagain.Onceyoursisterplantedthatcreditcardonme,Iwastoast.

Caelynshookherhead.Buttheyllcatchyouandthenyoullgobackforevenlonger.

Theyrenotgoingtocatchme.

Caelyn tookadeepbreathand let itout shakily.Imsogladyoureherewithme,but Im terrified,Elijah.

Helookedoverather.Youreterrifiedofme?

Ofwhatyouredoing.Ofwhatsgoingtohappentous.

Whatsgoingtohappentousisweregoingtobetogether.Hesmiled.Thisisagoodthing,Caelyn.

Thepolicewillbelookingforyou.

He sighed. Im small potatoes.Theydont give a shit aboutme, Imnot amassmurderer. Im justsometwo-bitcriminalthatgotaway.Sure,theyllhaveawarrantoutformyarrest,butaslongasIstayundertheradar,Imfine.

Maybeyoushouldslowdown,Caelynsaid.Youregoingseventyandthespeedlimitsfiftyonthisroad.

Elijahnoddedpatiently.He lookedout the frontwindshield,hisexpression seeminglyhappy,contenteven.Iloveyou,Caelynevenwhenyourebeingmean.

Imnotbeingmean.Sheshiftedinherseat.Partofherwassooverjoyedthathewasinthecarandshewaswithhim,soakinginhispresence.Anotherpartofherwasangrythathewasbeingsototallyirresponsibleandnotevenseemingtobeawareofhowseriousthiswasforbothofthem.

Yourebeingalittlebitgrouchy,hesaid.

Wellyourenottakingthisseriouslyenough.Iminvolvednow,too.

Hisgrinfaded.Imnotstupid,Caelyn.

Forthefirsttime,shewasnoticingthisnewcarthathewasdrivingandwonderingjusthowitwasthathed been able to acquire it. She glanced in the backseat and saw an umbrella, a magazine, and achildrensbookcalledTheGreatApeGoestoBedEarly.

Elijah,whosecarareweinrightnow?sheasked,hervoiceunsteady.

Hisshouldershunched.Ithinkweshouldtalkaboutthislater.

Wevegotplentyoftimetotalkaboutthis.

Nowedont.Heglanced inhis rearviewmirror.His strong jaw juttedout. Iwant to tell you theplan.

Oh,sotheresaplan?

Heglancedather,hisdarkeyesflashingbriefly.Dontbelikethis,Caelyn.

Shesatbackandreleasedherclenchedfists.Fine.Illplay,Elijah.Tellmetheplan.

He licked his lips. I know a place in upstateNewYorkwe can go. Its safe and quiet, and almostimpossibleforustobefound.

Whatkindofplaceisit?

Afriendofminelivesthere.Ihaventseenhiminalongtime,butIknowhellletusstaywithhim.Heowesme.

Great,Caelynsaid,unabletokeepthesarcasmoutofhervoice.

Elijahsmirked.Yeah,thatswhatIwasthinking.Great.

Theyfell intosilenceagain.Caelynwaswatchinghimdrive,stillunable to fathomthefact thathedactuallyfoundawaytocomebackintoherlife.

Whyareyoubeingsohardonhim?Sheaskedherself.

Because.Heescapedfromjail.

Henevershouldhavebeenthereinthefirstplace.Didyouwanthimtorotinajailcellforthreeyearsjustsohedidntbreakanyrules?

Caelyn felt torn. She was so unbelievably grateful to be with him, to watch his perfect eyes as hescannedtheroad,tofeeltherushofadrenalinewhenhesomuchaslookedherway,toadmiretheslopeofhismuscularshoulders,thelengthofhisarms,seehowgracefullyhemovedevenwhendriving.

Whenhelookedather,shecouldntstayangry.

Butthenshethoughtaboutthefactthatthiscouldntlast,becausethepolicewouldeventuallycapturehim.Andwhentheydid,hewouldgobacktojail,onlythistimeitwouldbeformuchlonger.

Notonlythat,butshewouldlikelygotojailrightalongwithhim.

Whydoyoucare?Sheaskedherself.Wouldyouratherhedleftyouinyourownlittleprison,sittinginthatbedroomlisteningtoyourfamilylivetheirliveswhileyouwentquietlycrazy?

Wouldthatreallyhavebeenpreferable?

Caelynknewthatitwouldnthavebeen.Imgladyoucameforme,shewhispered,andslidherhandontohisleg.Hismuscularthighemanatedheat.

Elijahglancedather.Illalwayscomeforyou.Youknowthat.

Idonow,shesaid.

***

Youhungry?Elijahasked,aftertheydbeendrivingforalittlewhile.

Caelynyawnedandstretchedherarms.Yeah.Shesatupstraighterinherseat.

ButIdontthinkweshouldriskstoppingtoeatatarealrestaurant.

Ididntsaywewould.Hepointedupaheadatagasstationattachedtoaconveniencestore.ButIfiguredyoucouldatleastgrabacoupleofsnackswhileIgasup.

Oh.Shenodded.Sure,thatsoundsgood.

Good. Elijah pulled into the gas station. He stopped and then took two twenties out of the glovecompartment.Here,takethis.

Wheredyougetthemoney?sheaskedhim.

Helookedather.Youreallywanttoknowtheanswertothat?

Iguessnot.

Hehandedherthebills.Caelyn,hesaid,hisfaceclosetohersnow.

Yes?

Heleanedforwardandkissedher.Hislipswerehotandhistongueslidintohermouth.

Suddenly,aforcewithinherbodywasunleashed,asifhedawakeneditwithhiskiss.AllCaelyncouldthinkaboutwashowbadlyshewantedhim.ShewoulddoanythingElijahasked,anything.

Nobodywillevermakemefeelthewayhedoes.

Sheknewitwastrue.Anditwasntjustlust.ShelovedElijahwithallofherheart.Shelovedthefactthathewasfarfromperfect,despitehisgorgeouslooksanddevastatingcharm.Hehadhisdemons,buttheydneverstoppedhimfromtakingcareofheranddoingeverythinginhispowertofightforher.

Ashislipsslightlymovedawayfromhers,sheopenedhereyesandgazedintohis.

Youamazeme,shetoldhimsoftly.

Iamazemyself,heresponded,hismouthtwistingintothatfamiliargrin.

She slapped at his shoulder, and he grabbed herwrist, kissing her again.His other hand cuppedhercheek.Hismouthslidovertohercheekandthenherear.Iwantyou,Caelyn.Iwantyousobad.

Iwantyoutoo.Shelookedaround,hereyesscanningthelot.Thenshehadanidea.Drivearoundback,shetoldhim.Behindthestore.

Hegaveheralookasifshedjustgrownasecondhead.Yourekidding,right?

HurryupbeforeIchangemymind.Shewasoutofbreathfromexcitement.

Elijahputthecaringearandheadedbehindthestore.Therewasafence,adumpster,andthefencewassurroundedbyanemptyfieldandscatteredtrees.Itwasdarkbackthere.Onelone,emptycarsatparkedbesidethebackentrance.Caelynfigureditbelongedtooneofthestoreemployees.

Drivearoundtheothersideofthedumpster,shesaid.Wellbehiddenthere.

Yousure?

Yeah.

Elijahmaneuveredthecarintoaspotnexttothedumpster.Therewasadead-endtotheothersideofthem,createdbythefenceadjoiningwiththestore.

Iguessthisiskindofprivate,Elijahsaid,turningoffthecarandlookingather.

Hiseyestoldherthathewasasanxiousasshewastobecloseagain.

Idontevencareifsomeoneseesus,shesaid,grabbinghisjacket.

Hegrabbedherwrists,nothard,butfirmly.AndyouknowIdontgiveafuck.

Hegrinnedwickedlyandthenkissedheragain.

Elijahignitedafireinsideofherthatshedneverknownbefore.Shemoanedashishandstouchedherhipsandthenranupalongherbodyashepulledhercloser.

Hekisseddownherneck, his lips like a combinationof fire and ice against her skin.She criedout,

desperateforhimtobeevenclosertoher.

Soon,theyweretearingatoneanothersclothes.

Caelynpushedherhandbeneathhisshirtandgraspedattheskinofhiswashboardstomach.Thenshefelthischest,whichwasflexed.Iwanttofeelyouinsideofme,

shetoldhim.

That canbe arranged, he told her, his voice husky.His hairwas in slight disarray, andhe had theshadowofabeardonhisjaw.Buthewasashandsomeandsexyashedeverbeen,shedecided.

Andwhatmadehimsexiestofallwasthewayhelovedher.

Thewayheprotectedher.

Elijah,shewhispered,ashishandsexploredhermorefully.

Ineedyou,hetoldher.Hiseyesgrewmoreintenseanddarker.

Now.Please.Makeitnow.

And then they came together, in that front seat of the car behind the convenience store, andCaelyndidnt care onebit. For all she knew, theymight aswell havebeen in a king-sizedbed atTheFourSeasons.Itfelteverybitasrightandrealandgoodasahoneymoonsuite.

AslongasIhavehimImwhole.

Andhemadeherwholeagainandagain.

She cried out, and he whispered love in her ear, and then they separated from one another, a littlereluctantly.Caelynwisheditcouldhavelastedlonger,andthattheycouldhavelaintogether,tangledupinbedsheets,sweatcoolingintheairastheycaughttheirbreath.

Buttheywerentreallyinahotelroom,theywereinthatcar,runningfromthepoliceandtheirpasts.

Elijahwasfixinghisclothing,hischeeksflushed.YouwanttoruninandgrabsomesnacksandthenIllcomearoundandtopoffthegastank?

Sure,Caelynsaid,makingsure shedidnt lookamesseither.She ranahand throughherhair andtriedtosmoothitdown.Sweatbeadedherforehead.Doyouwantanythinginparticular?

Heshrugged.Anything.Maybeanenergydrinkorsomething.Ivebeenupforliketwenty-fourhoursstraight.

Okay.Shegotoutofthecaraminutelaterandwalkedaroundtothefrontofthestore,goinginside.

Thebright florescent lightingcaughtheroffguard,and the scrutinizingstare from thecashieras sheenteredonlyenhancedthefeelingofbeingguilty.

Caelyngatheredsomesnacksquickly,notbeingtooparticular.ShegotherselfsomeDietIcedTeaandgrabbedaRedbullforElijah.ShealsoscoopedupsomeBBQ

potatochips,popcorn,andafewcandybars.

Her stomachwas still filledwith butterflies as she thought aboutwhat theyd just done in that car,parkedbehindthestore.Sherolledhereyesandmurmuredtoherself.

Youvegonetotallyoffthedeepend,Caelyn.

Thestorecashierwasstillwatchingher.CanIhelpyouwithsomething?

Imjustbuyingafewthings.

Hestaredatherdisapprovingly,histhick,darkeyebrowsliketwogiantspidersabovehiseyes.Yourshirtisripped,hetoldher.

What?

Yourshirt.ItstornIcanseehegesturedtohisribcage.

Caelyncranedherneckandliftedherarm,andsureenough,therewasatearrightalongtheseamofhershirt.Her skin and brawas actually visible through the rip.Howhad she not noticed? Itmust havehappenedwhentheywereinsucharushtotakeeachothersclothesoff.

Oh,thanksfortellingme,shesmiled.

Hedidntreturnhersmile.

Sheput the itemson thecounterandhe rang themupslowly,occasionally lookingup from thecashregisterandoglingherchestarea.

Caelynwasgrowingmoreandmoreuncomfortable.

Thatwillbetwenty-onedollars,hesaid.

Shehandedhimthecashandheslowlycountedoutherchange,thenpackedthesnacksintothebag,continuingtostealglancesatherchestwheneverhecould.

Bythetimeshegotoutofthestore,shewasfeelingdistinctlylessoptimisticaboutwhatshedjustdonewithElijah.Itwasalmostasifthestoreemployeehadsmelledthesexonherlikehedknownshewasthekindofgirltodoitinacar.

ShedexpectedtoseeElijahpumpinggasinfront,butneitherhenorhiscarwereanywheretobefound.Thatwasodd.

Caelynhuggedherarmsacrossherchestasthebagswayedinthecoldbreezethathadkickedup.Sherounded thecorner andwent aroundback, and thatswhen shecameacrossElijah taking the licenseplateofftheotherlonecarthathadbeenparkedbehindtheconveniencestore.

Hewasjustpullingtheplateoffwhenshecaughthim.Hestoodupandwalkedtowardsher.Dontsayanything,hesaid.Iknowyoudontlikethis.

Elijah

Ihavetodoit,Caelyn.Ihaveto.

Sheshookherhead.Thisiswrong.

Getinthecar.Comeon.Hewalkedaheadofherandkneltdownbesidehisowncar.Notthatitwashiscar,anyway.

Whatsanothercrimeatthispoint?Caelynthought.

Shegotintothepassengerseat.

Hedalreadyremovedhisplatesandnowhewasjustscrewingthestolenplateson.Itdidnttakelong,andhewasworkingfastandefficiently.Whenhewasdone,hegrabbedtheoldplatesandjoggedtothefence.

Caelynwatchedashethrewthemoverthefenceandintothewoods.

Amomentlater,hewasbackinthecaranddrivingoutofthelot.

Whataboutgas?Caelynsaid.

Elijahwasbreathingalittleheavilyafterrunningbacktothecar.Oh,Iforgot.

Hepulledintothemainroadandkeptgoing.

Youdidntforget,shesaid.Youdidntneedgas.Youwantedtogetnewplatestoputon.

Heglancedather.SowhatifIdid?

Thiscarisstolen,Elijah.

And?

And,thatsaheckofalotworsethanstealingacreditcard.

ExceptIdidntstealacreditcard.

Butevenifyouhad,thiswouldbeworse.Youknowthat.

Hisjawmuscleflexed.Ihopeyourenotgettingreadytolectureme.

Caelynsstomachtightened.Idontwanttofightwithyou.

Thendontstartafight.

Sherolledhereyes.Icantjustletyourunaroundcommittingcrimesandnotsayaword.

Elijahadjustedhisgriponthesteeringwheel.Look,itsreallysimple,Caelyn.

Imrunningformyfuckinglife,here.Forourlives.AndifIhavetostealacartodoit,thenthatsjustthewayitsgoingtobe.

But youre justmaking itworse andworse.You have to see that, she said.Her voice shookwithemotion.Theyregoingtocatchyoucatchus.Eventually.

Notnecessarily.

Yes,theywill.

Shecouldseehisbicepsflexashegrabbedthewheelharder.Youdontknowthat,andIdontreallywanttohearthatkindofpredictionrightnow.Ineedtostayfocused,Ineedtostayupbeat.Myonlychanceistokeepcalmandbesmart,andhopethatIcanflyundertheradaruntiltheheatdiesdown.

Caelynnoddedasifsheunderstood,eventhoughshedidnt.Herhandswerestillclutchingtheplasticbagwithsnacksinit,andsheslowlyletitdroptothefloorofthecar.ThenshelookedatElijah.Howdidyouescapefromthecourthouse,anyway?

Itwasnobigdeal.ItoldthemIwantedtorepresentmyself

Whatdoyoumean,representyourself?Youmean,youwerebeingyourownlawyer?

Elijahglancedatherinnocently.Sure.Itsmyright.

Thatsridiculous.

Maybeso,butIfigureditmightgivemeachancetohaveafewmorefreedoms.

And Iwas right. Since Iwas representingmyself, they letme use the courthouse library for fifteenminutes beforemy arraignment.Anyway, the guardwhowas supposed to bewatchingme endedupgettingcaughtupinaconversationwithsomecutelittlelibrarianlady.Itooktheopportunitytoopenawindowandjumpout.

Youjumpedoutofthecourthousewindow?Caelynsaid,impressedandhorrifiedallatonce.

Yup.And then I cut through some back roads and hid for a few hours, until it got darker outside.Eventually,Iwalkedtoasupermarketandwaitedforsomeonetoleavetheircarunattendedforafewseconds.Andtherestishistory.

Elijah,thatshorrible.

Yeah,itis.Helickedhislips.DontthinkIenjoythisshit,Caelyn.

Areyousureyoudont?

Helookedatherbriefly,andhisexpressionwasstony.Yeah,Imsure.Andifyoudontbelieveme,thenmaybeweshouldntbedoingthistogether.

Caelynputahandonhislegagain,andthemuscleflinchedagainstherpalm.

Imsorry,shesaid.Ididntmeanthat.

Heexhaled slowly. I know that youdeservebetter thanme.Hisvoicewaspained andhuskywithemotion.

Iloveyou,Elijah.AndIdontwantanyonebutyou.

Ill change for you, he said.He looked at her again, his eyeswhite in the darkness. I swear Illchange.

Idontneedyoutobeanyonebutyou.Shethoughtforamoment.ButIalsodontwanttoloseyouagain.AndImscaredthatIwill.

No.YourenevergoingtolosemeandImnevergoingtoloseyou,either.

Never.

Shewishedshebelievedhim.

Instead,Caelynjustnoddedandpressedherlipstightlytogether.Andthensheturnedtowardtheroad,andwatcheditpassingbehindtheminhersidemirror,hopingandprayingnottoseetheflashinglightsthatwouldspelltheendforbothofthem.

***

But the flashing lights never came, and soon theywere enteringNewYork State, and Elijah begansmilingagain.

YouregoingtolovemybuddyTrey,hesaid,astheydrovebyabeautifulpastureandalargebarn,andtheentirescenewascoveredinmoonlight.Itwassomethingthatcouldhavebeenapaintingandinawayitwasromantic,eveniftheywererunningfromthepolice.

Theroadwastotallyemptynowbutforthem.

Doesheevenknowyourecoming?

Wellnotexactly.Elijahscratchedhischin.Imean,Idonthaveanup-to-datenumberforhim.

Howdidyouevencallme?Caelynsaid.Youdidntusethatpoorpersonscellphonefromthiscaryoustole,didyou?

Elijahshookhishead.Ofcoursenot.Iboughtaburneronmywaytoyourfolkshouse.

Aburner?

Hechuckled.Itsaprepaidphone.Prettymuchuntraceablebythecops.Whentheminutesareup,Illtossit.

Buthowdidyouhavethemoneytobuyit?

Themoneywasinthecar,Elijahadmitted.

Soweredrivingastolencarwithnewlystolenlicenseplates,andyouusedstolenmoneytobuyacellphonethatcanbethrownawayjustincasethecopsaretryingtotraceyourcalls.

Right,Elijahagreed.

Caelynputherfingerstohertemplesandrubbedthem.Shewasstartingtogetathrobbingheadache.Andnowweregoingtodropinunannouncedonyourfriend,whosenumberyounolongerhave.

Thatsprettymuchthesizeofit.Elijahdidntseemtooconcerned.Hestartedtowhistlesoftly.

Elijah,howdoyouknowyourfriendTreyevenstillliveswhereyouthinkhelives?Peoplemove,youknow.

Treyhasntmoved.Ihearditthroughthegrapevinethathimandhisgirlfriendareholedupthere,andhesmakingalivingsellingstuffoneBay.Theguysapackrat,andIdoubthesupandmovedinthelastfewmonths.

Whatifhedoesntwantusthere?

Ialreadytoldyou,heowesme.

Forwhat?

Elijahputafingertoherlipsandpressedgently.Thatsenough.Nomorequestions.Imdonebeinggrilled.

Caelynpushedhishandawayandheshotherawoundedlook.

Shelaughed.Dontpout,Elijah.

Imnotpouting.Ijustwishyoudtrustmealittlemore.

Itshardtotrustyouwhenyoukeepdoingthingsthataregoingtogetushurt.

This ismyworldnow,Caelyn,he said.Hisvoicewas somber. Yourwayofdoing thingsdoesntworkinthisworld.Soyouregoingtohavetotryanddothingsmywayforalittlewhile.

Caelyndidntknowwhattosaytothat.

Shesuspectedhewasright.

***

DawnwasalmoststartingtobreakastheyarrivedatElijahsfriendshouse.

ExcepthousewasntexactlythewordthatcametomindwhenCaelynfirstlaideyesonthesprawling,ramshacklestructure that theycameuponas they turneddowna long,bumpy,dirt road thatwas justwideenoughtofitthecar.

Astheypulledintothedirtlotthatwasbothdrivewayandfrontyard,acoupleofmangydogsappearedfromoutofthewoodsandbeganbarkingloudlyatthem.

Shit,Elijahsaid.Theyrebeingloudashell.

Caelynlookedatthedogswithdismay.Theycouldhavebeenstraysforthewaytheirfurwasmattedanddirty,butbothworecollars.

Theycontinuedtobarkandhowl,andstirupatremendousracket.

Iwishwehadsomethingtogivethem,Caelynsaid.

Elijah snapped his fingers. Shit, the snacks. Leaning over her and grabbing for the bag of potatochips,hestartedtorolldownhiswindowtofeedthem.

Caelynshriekedasbothdogsleaptupontheirhindlegsandplacedtheirfrontpawsonthesideofthecar,theirsnoutspressedupthroughtheslightlyopenwindow.

Elijah,rollthewindowup!shecried.

Relax, kid, I dont think were dealing with Cujo here. He started tossing the chips at the dogsthrough the window, and before long they were searching on the ground for the food, and not asinterestedinthestrangerssittingintheiryard.

Whatdowedonow?Caelynsaid.

Now,wegoknockonthedoorlikecivilizedpeople.Elijahopenedhisdoorandstartedtogetout.

Wait!Caelynyelled,asshesawthefrontdoorofthehouseflyopenwithabang.

Alargemanheldashotgunandpointeditatthemashewalkedoutofthehouse.

Hewaswearingdirtyoverallsandhisfeetwerebare.Hishairwasblond,tiedbackinaponytail,andhehadabushybeardtoo.

Shit,Iforgothelikesguns,Elijahsaid.Youstayput.

Dontgooutthere.

Hewontshootme,Elijahtoldher,startingtogetoutofthecarwithhishandsup.

Whothefuckareyouandwhyareyouonmypropertythemanstartedtoshout,butassoonashegot a better look at Elijah, he put the shotgun to his side, and his ferocious expression turned first

shockedandthenecstaticallyhappy.Holyshit!Itsyou!

CanIputmyhandsdownnow?Elijahsaid.

Hellyes!Getoverhereyoucrazybastard!Theblondmansaid.

SoIguessthisisTrey,shethoughtashestartedwalkingtowardsElijah.

Beforelongtheywerehuggingandlookingeachotherover.Shecouldnthearwhattheyweresaying,buttheirvoiceswereexcitedandenthusiastic,andpunctuatedbyalotofburstsoflaughter.

DidIscareyourlady?Treysaid,turningtothecarandapproaching.

Caelyngotoutslowly,feelingastrongurgetoleave.Shedidntwanttostayherenotthisplace,notnow.Somethingaboutitsimplyfeltwrong.

ButElijahlookedsohappy,andtheycouldntjustleave.SheputonherbestsmileasTreysdogsbegannosingatherlegsandwhiningforattention.

DontmindGooseandMaverick,Treysaid.Theyrejustdamnedscavengers,buttheyreharmlessand theyhardly everbite.Heheldouthis largehand,while theotherheld the shotgunby the longbarrelasifitwasacane.

Trey.

Caelynshookhishand.ImCaelyn.Elijahsaidyoureareallygoodoldfriendofhis.

TreycockedaneyeatElijah.Old?YoutoldherImold?

Dontmesswithher,Trey,Elijahlaughed.Andwheresyourgirlfriend?

Who,Paris?Treysaid,suddenlyhackingupphlegmandturninghisheadtospitintothedirtnearby.Sheshungover,sleepingitoff.

Andthenoisedidntwakeher?Elijahlaughed.

AmegatonbombwouldntwakePariswhenshesout.Hesquintedasifmentioninghiswifesnamegavehimheartburn.Anyway,enoughofmybabbling.

Comeoninside,forgodssake.Iwanttohearwhatbringsyououttothebooniesatthisunholyhour.Ifigureitmustbesomethinggood.

ElijahgaveCaelynalookasiftoaskifshewasokay.

Shesmiledasbestshecould.Thentheywentinside.

Elijah had been rightwhen hed said that Treywas a packrat. The housewas filledwith boxes andvariousfurnitureandobjectsthatmighthavebeenforsale,orperhapsitwasallpartofthehouse.Shecouldnt tell the difference. The clutter was bad enough that it made her think of that TV show,

Hoarders,where the compulsive people had to be forced to throw out the junk they thoughtwas sovaluable.

Thisismyhome,Treysaid,asheledthemthroughamazethatcutthroughthestacksofboxesandpieces of furniture, knickknacks and trash. Lets go to the basementwherewe can sit. Ill brewussomecoffee.

They went downstairs, where somehow there was a bit less clutter, although there were still boxesstackedjustabouteverywhere.ButTreyhadclearedoutspaceforadeskandacomputer,plusasofaandrecliner.Nearby,asmalltablehousedanelectricteakettleandtinymicrowave.

Treyleanedhisshotgunagainstthewallbehindhisdeskandthenwenttothetableandgrabbedsomemugsfromoutofaboxnearby.Heputthemugsdownandstartedthekettle.So,hesaid,openingajarofFolgersinstantcoffee.Whatbringsyoutotheboonies?

ElijahwasstandingawkwardlynexttoCaelyn.Shewantedtograbhisarmandpullhimwithherassheran up the stairs and out of this house. But she calmed her nerves. Sure, the place was a littleclaustrophobic,andTreylikedtocarryashotgunaround,butotherthanthatheseemedperfectlyfine.

WeIranintoalittletroublewiththelaw.

You dont say. Trey snorted, then looked up at them. Go on, sit down, make yourselvescomfortable.

Caelynsatdownon thesofa. It smelled likewetdog.She tried to relax,affixingasmile toher face.Elijahsatnexttoher,butleanedforward.Iwashopingwecouldmaybechillhereforadayortwoifyoudontmind.Butifitsaproblem,wecangosomewhereelse.

Bullshit. Trey started spooning coffee grounds into the mugs. You like your coffee strong? heasked,lookingoverhisshoulderatthem.

Sure,Iguess,Caelynmuttered.

So,wedjuststayforacoupledays,untilthingscooloff,andthenwedbeoutofyourhair,Elijahcontinued.

Howdoyouknow?Treyasked,hisbacktothemashecontinuedmakingthecoffee.

Thekettlebeganwhistling.

HowdoIknowwhat?

Howdoyouknowthatyouonlyneedtostayafewdays?

ElijahlookedatCaelyn.

Sheshookherheadandwhispered.Weshouldgo.

Hemouthedather.What?

Weshouldgo,shewhispered,alittlelouder.

Treyclearedhisthroat.Caelynlookeduptoseehimfacingtheirdirectiononcemore.Ifyourereallyintroublewiththecops,thenyouprobablyneedtohanghereforalotmorethantwodays,bud.

Yeah,wellIcantaskyoutodothatforme.

Youdidntask.Imsayingitforyou.Treystrokedhisbeard.Youdonthavetotellmewhatyoudidordidntdo.Idontgiveashit.Justhanghereforafewweeksoramonth,makesureitssafebeforeyouheadbackouttotheworldagain.

Elijahsmiledandnodded.Thanks,Trey.Ireallyappreciatethat,bro.

Nodoubt,Treyreplied,turningbacktothetablewherehebeganpouringwaterintothemugs.

Hecarriedthesteamingcupsovertothecouchandhandedonetoeach.

Caelynacceptedherswithaquietthankyou,unabletoevenmeetTreysgaze.

Somethingabouthimmadehernervous.Maybeitwashissize,orhisunkempthair,ortheshotgunhelikedtocarryaround.

Whateveritwas,shedecidedthenandtheretotellElijahthatthiswasntgoingtowork.

Treywentandmadehimselfthefinalcupofcoffee.

Thisisreallygood,Elijahsaid,holdinguphismugappreciatively.

Caelynsippedhers.Ittastedlikesludge,butitwasdrinkable.Itssogood,sheagreed.

Treystrokedhisbeardandsatdowninthereclinerwithhisowncup.Therewasapictureofapyramidwithaneyeinthemiddleofitonthesideofthemug.So,Treysaid,wegotaspareroomyoubothcanuse.Butonlyonebed,hegrinned.

Thatsfine,Icansleeponthefloor,Elijahjoked.

Howlongyoubeenrunningfor?Treyasked.Hisexpressionhadturnedserious.

Elijahshiftedonthecouch.Notlong.Aboutaday.

Treynodded.Illcheckthenewsandmypolicescannertoseeifthisthingsblowingupornot.

Idoubtyoullfindanything,notinNewYorkanyway,Elijahsaid.

Treyscheeksreddened.Areyoukiddingme?Everythingsglobalnow,man.

YoucantfartinAustraliawithoutsomeoneinHomelandSecurityknowingaboutit.

Caelynrepressedtheurgetorollhereyes.Insteadshenoddedseriouslyandraisedhermugtoherlips.

Elijahswitchedthesubject,seeminglytryingtoheadtheconversationintosmootherterritory.So,whathaveyoubeendoingtokeepyourselfbusythesedays?

Treyraisedhishands.Yourelookingatit.

Idoubtthat,Elijahsaid.Yourealwaysintosomething.Buying,selling,havingsomedudeinTaiwanmanufactureapieceofjewelryforyoutosellatfiftytimesthepricehere.

SureIdoalittlebuyingandselling,Treysaid,butithardlypaysanymore.

Everyone and their grandmother thinks theyre a fucking antique dealer now. The business isoversaturatedandthemarginsareforshit.

Well,theeconomysucks.

Sincewhendoyouknowjackshitabouttheeconomy,bud?

Elijahshrugged.Youreright,Iwastalkingoutofmyass.Hegrinned,andthenbothofthemstartedlaughinghysterically.

Caelyndidntevenknowwhattosay.Allsheknewwasthatthefirstchanceshegot,shewasgoingtoconvinceElijahtogetthemthehelloutofthiscrazyhouse.

***

Beforelong,Caelynmentionedfeelingtired,andTreyhadimmediatelyinsistedonshowingthemtothespareroom.First,hehadtoleadthembackupstairsandthroughthelabyrinthofboxesandtrashyes,itwasmostdefinitelytrashandintothesmallroomthatwasitselfmostlycoveredinboxes.

Heresyourbed,Treysaid,gesturingtothesmall,ancient lookingmattresssittingonaboxspring.Itsatwin,soyoullbecozyenough.Andtheresreallynoroomontheflooranyway.HewinkedatElijah.

Thisisperfect,Elijahsaid,slappinghimontheback.Icantthankyouenough,Trey.

Sureyoucan.Hesighed.Okay,Ibestgocheckonthelittlelady,makesureshesstillbreathing.Hewalkedoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Caelynsatheavilyonthebedandputherheadinherhands.OhmyGod.

Elijahsatnexttoherandputhisarmoverhershoulders.Youokay,kid?

Sheturnedherheadandgavehimasidelongglance.No,Imnotokay.Sheloweredhervoice.Weneedtoleave.Now.

Elijahleanedbackandstaredatherwithsurprise.Leave?Why?

Yourenotseriouslyaskingmethatquestion.Ithinkitsprettyobviouswhy.

Lookaround.

Hedidlookaround.Hisfaceregisterednothingbutfaintamusement.Imean,itsnottheMuseumofFineArtsbutitlldoinapinch.

Not forme itwont.Shegrabbedhishandand squeezed. Please,Elijah. Idont like it here.Thisplacegivesmethecreeps.Andsodoesyourfriend.

Who,Trey?

Yes,theonewiththeshotgun.Andheactuallypointeditatus,incaseyouforgot.

Elijahlaughedalittle.Hecoveredherhandwithhishandandrubbedherfingerssoothingly.Iknowthisisadifferentsortoflifethanwhatyoureusedto.ButthatdoesntmeanTreysabadguy.

Ididntsayhesbad.Ijusthaveareallyawfulfeelingaboutstayinghere.

Somethingsnotright,Elijah.

Listentome,Caelyn.Weneedtostayhere.

Shetriedtopullherhandawayfromhisgrasp.Dontsaythat.ItsnottrueandImnotgoingto.

Wehavenowhereelsetogo.Elijahsexpressionhadchanged.

For the first time since hed come to get her,Caelyn felt really and truly frightened. What do youmean?Wecanstayatahotel.

Doyouhavethatkindofcashonyou?heasked.

No,Idusemycreditcard

Andthepolicewouldseethatyouusedit,andtheydknowexactlywhereweare.Wecantusecreditcards.

Buttheydontknowyourewithme,shesaid.

Helookedatherlikeshewasthemostinnocent,navepersononthefaceoftheearth.Howlongdoyou think it will take the police to put two and two together and go looking to see if I visitedmygirlfriend?

Probablynotlong.

Itsthefirstplacetheyllsearchforme.Literally.

AndthentheyllknowImgone,too.

If your parents or sister havent already called them.He looked at herwith eyes thatwere calmlyacceptingofthediresituationtheywerein.

CaelyndidntbotherexplainingtohimthatDeenawasntlikelytobetheonewhotattledtothepolice.Itdidntmatter.Thecopswouldfindoutonewayoranother.

Hewasright.

Sohowlongarewestuckhere?shewhispered.BecauseIcanhardlytakeanhourofthis,letaloneaweek.

Idontknow.Elijahstrokedherhair.ButTreysgoodatfindingoutthelocalpolicegossip.Iftheyrelookingforus,hellfindoutandthenwecantakeitfromthere.

Idontknow,shesaid,lookingdown.Tearswereclosetothesurface.Shelookedbackupathim.

Hisfacewasperfect,hiseyesweresodarkandlovingandkind.Hesawhercompletelyandlovedhercompletelysheknewthat.IwishIcouldbestrongerforyou,shetoldhim.

YourethestrongestpersonIveevermet,hesaid.Iminaweofyou.

Shelaughedthroughhertears.Thatsridiculous.

Nottomeitisnt.Hecuppedherfaceinhishandsandthenkissedhersoftly.

Afterthekiss,shefeltalittlebetter.Thanks,shesaid.

Hechuckled.Youjusthadafreakout,thatsall.

Yeah.Iguess.Shestillcouldntshaketheawfulsensationthattheydidntbelongthere.

Youguess?

ShelookedatElijah.Hewasprettytouchywhenyouaskedhimhowhemademoney.

Probablybecausehedoesntmakemuchofit.

Butyouaskedforareason,didntyou?

Elijahgrinned.Youretoosmartforyourowngood,kid.

Tellme.

Heexhaled.Well,yourereallynotgoingtolikehimafterItellyouthispart.

Great.Justsayit,donttortureme.DidheusedtoworkfortheTalibanorsomething?

No,buthedidusedtodeal.

Hesadrugdealer.ShecouldntbelievehowinsaneElijahwas.Sheglaredathim.Youbroughtmetoadrugdealershouse?

Calmdownandloweryourvoice,Elijahsaid.Hesnotdealinganymore.

Howdoyouknow?

Because,heleftthegamewhenheleftBoston.Thatswhyheowesme.Hemadeabaddealandgotcaughtholdingalotofproductthathecouldntmove.Thedudesheowedmoneytowantedtokillhim,butIsteppedinandvouchedforhim.Theylethimslide.

Andsohehadtoleavetown?

Yeah.Elijahshookhishead,lookingfaraway,asiflostinthememoryofit.

MyDadendeduppayingoffTreysdebt.SoIoweddearoldDadforthat,andIpaidbigtime.

Imsorry.Ididntwanttobringupbadmemories.

Its fine.But the thing is,Elijahsaid,meetinghergaze,Imprettysure thatTreystraightenedoutafterthat.Sure,hemovedintothewoodsandhegotalittlebitweirdlivingouthere,butheskeptalowprofileeversince.

Youresure?

I cant be one hundred percent sure.But Im as close to it as I can get, andwere running lowonoptionsrightaboutnow.

Okay,Caelynsaid.Imdonecomplaining.

Good.Because I think I shouldgobackout andhangwithTrey for abit,meetParis,bea friendlyhouseguest.

Illcomewithyou,Caelynsaid.

Youdonthaveto.

Iwantto.Shesmiled.IdontwanttomissasinglemomentIcouldspendwithyou.

Hesmiledback.Meeither.

***

TheydidntmeetParisuntillunch.

Elijah, Caelyn and Trey were in the cramped kitchen, where Trey was making them grilled cheesesandwichesontheoldfashionedstove,tryingnottotripoverthestackofboxesthatleanedperilouslyclosetotheflames.

WhenParisenteredthekitchen,shewaswearingat-shirtthatshowedhermidriffandshortsthatlookedliketheywouldneedtoaddafewinchestobeconsideredDaisyDukes.

The firstpersonParis sawwhenshecame into the roomwasElijah.Herhalf-openeyeswidened. Ididntknowwehadcompany,Trey,shesaid.

Heturnedtoher,spatulainhand.Youdhaveknownifyouwerentpassedoutlikeakidafterprom.

Hereyesnarrowed.Dontbemean,Trey.

Imcooking.Wantasandwich?

Yes,please.Sherolledhereyes,thenturnedtoElijah.ImParis,shesaid,holdingoutherdelicatelittlehandtohim.

Caelyn felt a sudden flashof jealousysomething shehadnt ever experiencedwithElijah.And shewasntsurewhereitwascomingfrom.

Elijah,hesaid.HedidntseemparticularlyinterestedinParis.

ButCaelynhadtoadmit,thegirlwasthetypethatguysseemedtoflocktoatbarsandclubsandparties.Shehadcutelittlebreasts,andthenippleswerevisiblethroughherrevealingt-shirt.Herstomachwasflat,andshehadasmalldiamondstudinherbellybutton.Parisslegswerethinandtoned,andherfacewasangularbutverypretty.

Sheseemed,quitefrankly,outofTreysleaguebyalongdistance.

Hi,ImCaelyn,Caelynsaid,movingtowardsParisandshakinghandstoo.

Parissmiled,butthenturnedquicklytoElijahagain.So,yourethefamousElijahthatTreysalwaystellingstoriesabout.Shebattedhereyelashesathim.

Ihopehesnottellingtoomany,Elijahsaid.

Hestoldmeenough,Parissaid,smilingflirtatiously.

CaelynwasacutelyawareofElijahinhisjeansandt-shirt,andjusthowincrediblysexyhelooked,hisbiceps bulging, the curves of his chest and shoulders so apparent. And his light beardwith slightlymussedhairdoonlymadehimappearhotterandsexier,likeaCalvinKleinad.

Andwhataboutyou?CaelynaskedParis.

Whataboutme?Parissaid,hardlytakinghereyesoffElijah.

WhatkindsofstorieswouldTreytellusaboutyou?Caelynasked,awarethatshesoundedabitrudeandcondescending.

Oh,Idprobablyneedafewdrinksbeforewegothere,Parissaid.Andsowouldyou.

Ibet.

ElijahshotCaelynalookthattoldhertocalmdown,butshewastooannoyed.

Shealmostfeltangrywithhimforbeingsoattractiveandmagnetic.Couldnthehaveatleastcovereduphisbodyalittlebetter?Didntheknowtheaffecthehadonwomen?

Treybrokethetensionwhenhebroughtovertheplateofgrilledcheesesandwichesstackedoneatoptheotherandsetthemonthetable.

Therewasonlyoneplate,soeveryonejustgrabbedasandwichandate,andthecrumbsfellwheretheyfell.

Thanks,Trey,Elijahsaid.ThisisthebestgrilledcheeseIeverhad.

Mysecretslotsofbutter,whitebread,andthenonlyonesliceofSwisscheese,

Treysaid.

Parissighed.Itsalotlessimpressivethehundredthtimeyouveeatenit.

Maybe if you could make anything besides a bowl of cereal, wed have a wider variety of mealsaroundhere,Treyreplied.

Thatquietedthingsdown,andeveryonejuststoodthereintheclaustrophobickitchenandatesilentlyforabit.

TherewasabuzzingsoundthatCaelyndidntevenrecognizeforamoment.

Thensherealizeditwascomingfromherpurse,whichshehadntfeltcomfortableleavingoutofhersightsincearrivingatTreyshouse.

Nowsherealizedhercellphonewasringing.Shit,shesaid,reachingintoherpurseandpullingitout.

Everyone