Page 25 of Love Me Dangerous

“You’ll be happy to know William’s team went undefeated,” Sawyer says, thankfully switching topics, his pride clear in his tone. “Man, that kid can throw. Even better than you.”

Emotion pricks my eyes, and I pinch the bridge of my nose to prevent it from spreading. William being able to play football like a regular kid means everything to me.

“Any Kristov sightings?” I ask. Because Sawyer’s a diesel mechanic for the railroad, sometimes he and my stepdad cross paths.

“He came to William’s game last Saturday, but I think he was looking for you.”

The knot under my sternum twists tighter. “Did you talk to him?”

“No.”

“Did he get to William?”

“No. The McCabes would never let that happen.”

I huff a breath and blink at the empty square. He’s right, but trusting Evan McCabe and his family—even though they’ve proved their loyalty many times over—isn’t easy.

“Speaking of the McCabes, how’s Lexie doing?”

Several weeks after I left Alaska, an explosion at a survey camp for a mine project made headlines. Our friend Lexie McCabe was there as part of a protest when a bomb went off, and she was nearlykilled.

“There’s still investigating the explosion. Lexie’s okay, though. And it looks like Soren Creek won’t be turned into a giant copper mine.”

“That’s really good news.” The Soren Creek watershed has been in Lexie’s family for generations. It’s also prime salmon habitat.

“That cop came by again,” Sawyer says. “I acted like I was mad at you.”

“What?”

“I needed a cover, or he’d know I was hiding something, and Iamstill pissed about Margaret Dunleavy.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That was seventh grade.”

“She kissed me first,” he taunts.

“While thinking about me.”

He chuffs in disbelief. “I miss you, man.”

“I miss you too.” I miss a lot of things about home. More than anything, I miss my family and the way things used to be. But there’s no getting it back.

“If only you could talk to the McKenzie Valley Sheriff up here. Tell him what you know.”

Sawyer thinks if I could come clean, maybe I could come home. If it was that easy, I would have done it already. “I can’t risk it. Not yet.”

Sawyer releases a frustrated groan. We’ve been round and round on this topic. But I’m not chancing William’s safety. He’s my priority.

“How’s the halfway house?” I tease.

He laughs. “Screw you. It’s fine. I’m moving out in June, though.”

“Good for you, man.” After a stint of homelessness after high school when he aged out of foster care services, he accepted an internship from the railroad to become a diesel mechanic which included room and board. In exchange, he signed a three-year contract.

“Yeah.” He releases a heavy sigh that might as well be a door closing because he’s not likely to tell me anything more.

I’m tempted to ask about his half-brother, but if Sawyer hasn’t brought it up, maybe it’s better to leave it alone. Sheldon’s been MIA for almost a year now, and though it’s awful to think about what he may be going through, Sawyer’s better off without him around.

“Burnout Symphony’s playing in McKenzie next week,” Sawyer says.

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