Page 29 of The Wayward Son

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Jade left the basket on top of the washer and took his arm. After taking the elevator to the first floor, they went down the hall and out the door. It was cold with a brisk wind and they both sucked in a breath when it hit them.

She pulled Sawyer in tighter. “Is that the storm coming?”

“Yeah. We need to leave first thing in the morning if we want to beat it.”

“And how long of a drive is it?”

“About eight hours.”

She stopped walking and looked at him. “Are you sure you’re up for that?”

“Sitting in the truck is no different than sitting at home.”

She cocked her head. “It’s a little different.”

“If we don’t leave tomorrow, we’ll have to wait until the storm passes. I want to go home.”

“Okay.”

He lifted the collar of his jacket to cover his neck. “We’ll eat junk food. It’ll be great.”

“You’re going to eat junk food with me?”

Sawyer shrugged. “Sure. I’m not in training anymore. I’m not going to go crazy, though. I think my idea of junk food and your idea of junk food are a little different.”

They started walking again. “Are we going to see…Diane?”

“I could use an energy drink.”

When they entered the market, Diane lost her smile when she saw Sawyer’s face.

“Oh my gosh. What happened?”

“I had a match last night.”

She studied the damage. “I hope the other guy looks worse.”

Sawyer smiled. “I haven’t seen him. But I’m sure he does.”

“So, are you staying in town a while longer then?”

“No. Leaving in the morning, before the snow gets here.”

“Be careful. The weathermen around here are wrong more than they’re right. I hope you’re not driving.”

Sawyer nodded toward Jade. “I’ll have a chauffeur.”

Diane smiled at Jade. “Good. Take care of him.”

“I will.”

They made their purchase, an energy drink for him and a bag of pretzels for Jade, then walked back to the apartment building. When they got inside the lobby, Jade stopped and looked at Sawyer.

“Did that help? Or did it make things worse?”

“My side hurts and my head is pounding. But I don’t feel so stiff.”

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