Page 18 of Ride With Me

“Let’s see if you can find it first and we’ll go from there.” His face is neutral.

“Sounds fair. I really am sorry for what I did. I know it didn’t seem like it at first and I should have apologized before.”

“You weren’t sorry then and it would have been a lie. I believe you’re telling the truth when you say it now though.”

For some strange reason I am. I’ve never seen the people I’ve stolen from as anything but rich snobs who wouldn’t miss what they’ve lost. He’s made it very clear how important it is to him. So much so, he’s been super hospitable to the person who took it. I’ll give it back. Not because it’s the right thing to do—no, I’ve never been that person and don’t think I can be—but because I want to give it back. In some odd way, I feel like I owe him. He’s seen me for the person I couldn’t see him for.

As soon as I’m in the bathroom, I close the door and flip on the lights. My eyes are red and raw, large bags resting beneath my lids. Last night I slept better than I have in all my life but it’s not enough. Not judging by my reflection and the achiness in my bones. Two more nights like that and I’ll be better than ever. I could always consider going for late night walks or running from the cops before bed every night. Unless neither of those are the secret ingredient I’ve been looking for. Unless... Closing my eyes, I open them again, slapping myself on the cheek.

As much sleep as I got last night, the crazy thoughts haven’t disappeared. I’m not much closer to being of sound mind than I was yesterday.

Two sharp knocks on the door have me jolting. “Everything okay in there? I brought those clothes for you in case you wanted them.”

I unlock the door, taking the sweatpants and long sleeve gray shirt from him. “Thanks. I’ll only be a few more minutes.”

“Take your time. I have to finish cleaning up the kitchen.”

I lock the door as soon as he pulls it closed. After washing my face, I tug on the clean clothes, tossing mine on the sink. I exit the bathroom and as I’m about to ask for something to put my clothes in, he hands me a grocery bag. “They fit you well enough.”

“Yeah, about as good as a sack fits three potatoes.” I laugh uncomfortably, collecting the bag from his hand and he smiles.

“And yet you somehow pull it off.”

He doesn’t join me at the table because he ate while I was sleeping, and just sips his coffee while staring out the window. Breakfast is better than yesterday’s sandwiches and I eat way too fast for my stomach to catch, feeling it rolling after chasing my food down with water. Meeting me halfway, he collects the dishes from my hand and points behind me.

“Your shoes are by the couch. I’ll grab my keys, then we can head out. Unless there’s something else you need to do first?” He lowers his brow.

“No, I’m good.” Walking slowly, I circle around the couch and slip on my shoes. He meets me at the door with my phone in his hand, fully charged. “There’s still no service but I thought you might like it back anyway.”

“Yeah, it comes and goes apparently.” My pants sag on my waist as I slip the phone into one of the pockets and follow him outside. A cool breeze wraps around us as I catch up to him.

“Need my jacket?” He turns around, slowing down.

“No, I’m okay. You’ve done enough.”

“You learn over time to take advantage of someone’s kindness when you get it. Never know when it’ll come again.” Turning his face back around, he continues moving forward down the long driveway. I don’t give myself time to consider what he means by that. A little word of wisdom he was told before by someone older than him, I’m sure.

“I don’t get it often to begin with, so I doubt I’ll notice when things go back to normal.”

“You’d be surprised.” He stops in front of the crooked tree I led him to last night. One of the few things that stood out to me when I ran out here. “This way, right?”

I run a hand through my hair, closely studying the other trees. “Should be.”

“After you.” He nudges his head forward and I lead the way, remembering better with clearer eyes and the sun lighting our path. Walking too far, I reach the large tree I hid behind. Unlike the ones around it, its branches are covered in orange and red leaves, the front of the bark peeled off in several areas.

“What’s wrong?” Warm breath ghosts over my ear and I shiver.

“We’re really close but I went too far.” I backtrack, and stop where the branches that were once stacked over the small hole are scattered. Empty. I swear my heart stops. I wait for him to ask the same question again but instead he rests a hand on my shoulder, saying, “Shall we go back to the house then?”

“I don’t understand. I hid it here yesterday.” My tone shifts to a higher octave. “It’s not like it grew legs and wandered off.”

“Were you working alone yesterday? I can’t imagine someone doing such a big job so fast and all by themselves.”

“I was the only one in the house and...” My words trail off when the revelation hits me. Fucking assholes. Brick waswatching me the whole time. He had to be. Or he was tracking me somehow. I look down at my phone, remembering the three of us were on the same plan and had all activatedFind my Phonein case something went wrong.

“Your friend took it, didn’t he?” The muscle in his cheek ticks. “You happen to know where he is now?”

“They planned all of this. For me to fail and them to make enough money off me to run away somewhere together.”

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