Page 77 of Lush

I slammed on the brakes.

“I’m so sorry, Walter, are you okay?”

I quickly glanced at Walter, looking for any injuries, but he seemed more surprised than hurt.

Blair’s car jerked back onto the road, speeding up. She must have realized I was following. She was trying to lose me.

As I rounded the bend, a sharp thud sent my car lurching. I gasped, white-knuckling the wheel, but it was too late. The car veered right, grinding to a halt.

Heart racing, I realized what had happened.

“No, no, no.” I slammed my hand on the wheel.

Turning on the hazards, I threw the car into park and stepped out. The right front tire was completely blown.

“Damn.” I’d hit a pothole, and Blair was long gone.

Walter poked his head out, eyes watching me as if waiting for instructions.

“You’re a man. Fix the tire.”

Walter barked in protest.

I took out my phone. I only had eight percent battery left.

The signal flickered between one bar and nothing. Barely. I looked around—no traffic, no lights, just the silence of the cliffs and the distant sound of waves crashing far below.

Walter growled, low and guttural. I spun toward him. His small body was rigid, hackles raised, eyes locked on the trees.

“Walter?”

His growl deepened, then he started barking, sharp and urgent.

I stared into the inky blackness of the woods. Nothing. Just shadows. But I still felt like something was out there.

For a split second, I thought I saw movement—quick, fleeting between the trees. My throat dried up. I held my breath, watching to see if something—or someone—was there.

I was stuck. That empty road felt creepy; the silence was heavy.

I pulled out my phone—5% left. I lingered over Reese’s name on my screen. My pride swelled. I really didn’t want to ask him for help again so soon. But I promised we’d do this together.

I hit the button, holding my breath as it rang.

He picked up after two rings. “Laurene?”

“Hey,” I said, forcing my voice to sound casual. “Don’t freak out or anything, but I need a little help again.”

There was a brief pause on his end. Then I could hear sheets shifting. “Tobias?”

“I blew a tire. I’m fine,” I added quickly, but the words felt hollow. “But I’m kind of stranded out here in the middle of nowhere.”

“You’re gonna give me a heart attack with these calls, Laurene. Where are you this time?”

I told him where I was, but that creepy feeling from the park came back.

“I’m on my way,” he said, and I could hear him getting out of bed. “Get in the car and lock your doors. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Reese, you don’t have to?—”

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