Page 9 of Lodged

“Hello?” I say tentatively.

“Ruin Josephine MacAllister, where the fuck are you?” My sister's voice booms in the car, and I cringe at how loud it is. Damn, she used my full name too. I must be in deep shit.

“Hey, Rain, I’m at a rest stop trying to be brave and get out of the car to use the restroom,” I tell her honestly, letting the way she yelled at me slide. I’m sure they are all worried.

“A rest stop? So you’re still coming?” she asks, voice low with concern.

“Of course I’m coming, why wouldn’t I?” Now I’m curious to know what they know.

“Well, River got a phone call saying your car was totaled, and we all freaked out. We thought you were injured or something.” I can’t believe what Rain is saying; if her voice wasn’t so distraught, I’d think she was joking with me.

“Who called River?” I’m able to ask after a couple of silent beats.

“The insurance company called me, Ruin. Where are you? Are you safe?” The deep voice of my eldest brother fills in the car anda pang of guilt takes place in my chest. I should have let them know from the get-go. I hear Rain in the background asking River to give her the phone back, but we all know it’s a moot point. The car is in his name, and I’m an approved driver on his insurance. Ugh, why didn’t I think of this?

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier, but I didn’t know the insurance company was going to call you. I figured I could explain everything when I got home,” I say, hoping it will help calm their nerves a bit.

“Fuck, okay. At least now we know you’re okay.” He releases a breath, and I feel a little more guilty. “How much longer before you get home?”

I look around, but all I see are trees. I know I’m on the highway, but I don’t remember seeing an exit for a while.

“I’m not sure, I think I still have a couple of hours to go,” I inform him, and he huffs. It’s funny how well you can know a person. I know right now my brother is passing his hand over his scruff while mulling over the information I just gave him. It’s what he does when he’s figuring stuff out.

“Are you sure you are okay to drive? Or should we go meet you there?”

“What? No, River. I’m fine. I’m an adult, remember?” I assert, a little exasperated at his question. I know he means well, but this is getting out of control.

“River, just let her drive home. We’ll talk to her when she gets here,” I hear Granny say, and I know this conversation is over. As much as River is the oldest, Granny always has the last word.

“Be safe, and share your location with Rain. That way we can go get you if something happens,” River says before passing the phone back to my sister. I know what he isn’t saying:in case you have an accident like Daddy did all those years ago.I can tell he’s not happy, but there’s not much I can do at the moment.

“So yeah, everyone is here losing their minds. Be prepared for a roasting when you get home,” Rain says, and I can't help the laugh that escapes me.

“Oh, and now she’s laughing! You’re the worst, Ru,” she teases, and I smile at her way of showing she cares.

“I love you too, Rain,” I say as I disconnect the call.

Before heading toward the restroom, I share the location with Rain, just as River asked me to. That way, if something happens to me, at least they’ll know where to find my body. I’ve seen one too many horror movies where the main characters get taken away while in a wooden, abandoned area.

I’m making great time in this car; it’s incredible how fast it is. If I keep up this pace, I’ll be home half an hour before I was expecting. When I see the exit to Azalea Creek, a huge sense of relief washes over me. As much as I love the experience of living in Raleigh, this will always be home, and I can’t wait to move back.

Just as I see the town lights, a red light starts flashing on the car console, and I freak out. I ease the car to a stop and park before trying to figure out what’s going on. I was so close to making it home.Damn it.

“Call from owner,” the speaker announces, and I freeze. Gio is calling? I press the red light, and his deep voice fills the car.

“Ruin?”

“Hi,” I say in a breathy tone. I want to say it’s because it’s been a long day, and I’m dead tired, but the truth is, it’s not just only his looks that make my knees go weak.

“Hey, how's everything going? I’m sorry I called you through the car. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and I didn’thave your number,” he says quickly like he’s nervous.Is he nervous about talking to me?

“Oh, yes. Everything is fine, I’m finally a few minutes away from home,” I assure him, and I can hear him exhale a deep breath.

“Great, I don’t want to keep you. Have a great time. I’ll see you on Monday, then,” he says before the car goes silent.

Hmm, he hung up. I don’t think too hard about how he called through the car or why he sounded nervous. I just need to get home and ease everyone’s nerves.

“Ruin Josephine MacAllister.” A voice fills the living room the moment I step into my parent’s house. It’s all dark, so I squint my eyes, trying to see who’s there, but it’s cloudy outside, so there’s no moonlight to help me.

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