Page 89 of Over the Edge

“I had a similar experience in the Florida Keys,” Oliver replies. “The amount of people you meet out in the world is always so surprising.”

It’s been an hour of this. Lana eagerly has shared her cross-continental adventures spanning the last decade, each of them so detailed that I doubt they were made up. The dune buggy race she accidentally entered and then won in Colorado that ended with her being invited to Vienna, where she went to a masked ball. Then there was the week she spent in Vegas with a food critic. Oliver and Evelyn have been there to pipe in with appropriate comments and enthusiastic nods.

Each story proves again and again how little I know about this woman. There’s the jealousy that intertwines with a tainted type of relief. She’s living a full life. She can’t complain any more about what I’ve taken from her because I gave this to her. It’s not that I wish I lived that life. Some of the stories she’s telling with all the people and unexpected turns sounds like my personal hell, but her life sounds so vast, while mine is contained.

Usually, I like it that way, but being around her reminds me of my social distance from most people. Before I realized it didn’t matter who I was or what I did, I wondered if we’d have a better relationship if I was more like her.

Quinn slows and pulls into an exit with a gas station. The moment she’s parked by a pump I push my door open, heading for the convenience store. I go straight for the single occupant bathroom and let out a sigh of relief when I find it unlocked. Idon’t bother to turn on the light, I just lock the door and brace myself against the sink. The touch of cool porcelain is calming. I turn on the water then splash it on my face twice.

We only have a bit longer before we get to the farm. At least then we will be in a wide open space instead of being pressed together in a car.

One last breath and I leave the bathroom. Evelyn is standing there in the dingy hallway next to a corkboard boasting events from last February. She has a neon-blue sports drink and a bag of sour gummy worms clutched in one hand.

“I’m not going to ask if you’re okay on the off chance you’ll lie, but do you need anything?” Evelyn asks.

“I’d go for a cigarette, but I’m assuming Quinn will do terrible things to me if I get close to the car with one.” I’m itching for one. Lana has always been my biggest trigger.

“Probably.” She half laughs. “Your phone is still dead, that’s why you haven’t been playing chess on it, right?”

“Yeah.” I had hopes of charging it the moment I got in the car but Lana had already managed to claim it for herself, then Quinn had to plug hers in so it wouldn’t die while she was using it for directions.

“Mine is pretty charged and I downloaded an app if you want to use it.”

“Thanks.”

“Also, if you need it, I have a bottle of Excedrin in my bag, just in case,” she offers.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say.

She shrugs like it’s no big deal. Maybe it’s not. Maybe I just haven’t had the right people around me. “I just thought if I made good use of the information you gave me, then I could bribe you into telling me more about yourself.”

“So, you’ll only give me pain relievers and your phone if I tell you my secrets?” I ask.

“I’m glad you’re catching on to my master plan,” she says. Her smile is strained as if she’s about to ask something else, but Quinn strides around the corner looking a little dazed.

“I think I just became friends with your mom on Spotify. Or at least I think I am because I didn’t even know that was something you could do. I’m pretty sure she’s added me to a joint playlist. If you guys have your gas station snacks I encourage you to hurry up.” Quinn throws a furtive glance to the wall of windows. “I left Oliver with her because I didn’t want to risk her taking the car and trying to street race it in broad daylight. We shouldn’t leave them for too long because if she starts trying to plan a trip to Dubai with him he is incapable of saying no.”

32

Evelyn

Once we’re done with the farm’s handful of off-season attractions, Garrett goes to check on the beverage donations while the rest of us, including Lana, explore the two-story gift shop. I offered to help, but he insisted he could take care of it alone. Beyond that, he hasn’t spoken much. On the rest of the car ride, I looked over his shoulder as he played chess. Out of all the matches he played, he only lost once. The entire time his side was pressed against mine, and I couldn’t help but feel that I was an anchor to reality while his focus was devoted to the games he cycled through. I like being safe for him the way he’s become safe for me.

We got lunch at the cafe where we all had the shared experience of blueberry white cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches with a balsamic glaze. After, we explored the kids’ craft corner with its coloring sheets until the next tractor ride was available. It’s a far more touristy and less romantic version of the time we had with the Barlowes.

Now, I’m standing in front of a blueberry bath mat that turns blue when water gets on it with my phone tucked next to my ear. It rings twice before Avery picks up.

“Is Wes there?” I ask.

“Yes, my day has been going great. I even got a fake tan to look like I’ve been able to go to the beach between rehearsals. And, oh yeah, are you in a hostage situation because that’s a request I thought you were physically incapable of making?” Her voice remains fairly even until the last sentence. The reality is that if I were in need of a signal to covertly convey I had been kidnapped, asking about Wes would do the trick.

Since I don’t have Alina’s contact outside of the rental app and no other way to get information I might need, Wes is unfortunately the best option.

“I wish I could explain, but it’s not my business to share.”

“You promise you aren’t in danger?” Her voice lowers. “If you are, say Jeff Goldblum, and I’ll use the Find My Friends app to send authorities to your location.”

“I’m fine, now can I talk to Wes?” I ask.

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