Page 212 of Forbidden Lessons

A high-pitched wail cuts him off. We all turn back to the road as an ambulance tears past us. Red and blue lights paint the cabin of the Escalade, the siren deafening until we’re past.

iPhone sounds terrified when he says, “Dude, you think that’s for?—“

“Shut it, man.” Kruger blows out a breath. “You know how to roll a joint?”

“Uh…”

“Fucking learn, fast. Here.” He digs a baggie out of his shoe and tosses it at iPhone.

I turn to stare out the window, my eyes feeling like they’re filling my whole face.

That ambulance was headed for the country club.

For my brother.

He’s not just gonna walk this off.

Fuck him.

I wanted this.

Right?

That’s why I didn’t stop?

I wanted to fuck him up.

“Hey, man, check it.” Kruger is pointing at something through the windshield. “That look like a Tesla to you?”

“Bro, I’m seeing fractals right now, so you gotta be a lot more fucking specific.”

“That car.” Kruger presses his finger on the glass. “The one turning off, just up ahead.” He taps the glass. “Is. That. A. Tesla?”

I shuffle forward, arms on their backrests as I crane my head and squint through the glass.

“That’s Rooke’s car,” I say, my stomach tightening like I’m going to puke.

“He’s coming back from the hospital,” iPhone says.

Kruger shakes his head. “He’d still be there. Admissions takes fucking forever in this place.”

“Yeah? Then it’s someone else.”

“You know of anyone in town who drives a Tesla?” Kruger keeps ducking his head, peering at the Tesla through the windshield.

“So then where’s he headed?” iPhone asks.

There’s a beat of silence, and I swear all of us are holding our breath.

“Follow him,” I murmur.

Chapter 62

Haven

“Dirty,” I say, wiggling my toes.

“Yes, you most certainly are,” Bastian says behind me. “That’s why we have to take a nice, hot shower.”

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