Page 32 of Side Trip

“He’s so good.”

They both smiled and Joy felt the best she had all day. She’d never hung out with someone who not only had similar taste in music, but appreciated the classics like her. Most of her friends were into Dashboard Confessional and Blink-182. Current stuff.

Everything she did to get up here was totally worth hearing him play. She smiled shyly at Kevin, tumbling a little deeper in than a simple crush, when her stomach growled—loudly.

A flash of heat shot up her neck and scorched her face.

Kevin chuckled. “Hungry?”

No. Mortified.

“Starving. I didn’t eat dinner.”

“You should have said something. Plenty of food downstairs. Let’s get something to eat.” He stood, returning the guitar to its stand. He then swung open the door at the exact moment Judy walked by and Joy about fell off the bed. Judy abruptly stopped and backtracked.

“Hey, Judy. Look who made it.” Kevin opened the door wider and grinned at Joy.

Joy didn’t have a chance to hide. She barely had a second to process that her sister was standing right there, framed by the doorway.

Judy looked from Kevin to Joy. Her brows flew up and her jaw came unhinged.

Joy cringed. Busted.

Joy felt a hand on her arm. She looked at the hand, then at the man. Dylan had woken up.

“Everything all right?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Sure, why?”

“You seemed far away. Thinking about your sister again?”

Joy nodded. All the time.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

She shook her head. She didn’t want to remember what happened that night, let alone talk about it.

Dylan rubbed her arm. “I get it. It hurts, right here.” He thumped his chest. “Jack was an asshole and I don’t like talking about him either. I wasted enough time dealing with his shit when he was alive, to say nothing about what I’m dealing with now that he’s gone. You wouldn’t believe what he’s making me do. But that’s not the point. The point is, I’m a good listener. Hit me up whenever you want.”

Joy looked at him with interest. “What’s he making you do?”

Dylan turned his head to look out the windshield.

A black pickup truck pulled into the lot. He glanced at his watch. “Right on time.”

Joy spotted the DESERTADVENTURESdecal on the truck’s door. “Should I be scared?”

“Not yet.” Dylan grinned playfully and got out of the car. Joy locked the doors and followed him across the parking lot. She repeatedly rubbed damp palms over her hips. She had no idea of what to expect.

Three men simultaneously exited the truck and Joy’s step faltered. They were tall, burly, and clothed as if ready for a day hike: blue DESERTADVENTURESlogo shirts, khaki shorts, and reflective shades. What had Dylan gotten them into? The driver approached Dylan and grasped his hand. “Been a long time, bro. How’s Chase?”

“He’s good. Working in London as we speak.”

“Tell him ‘hey’ for me.” The man looked at Joy and introduced himself. “I’m Griff.”

“Joy.” She shook his calloused hand.

“That’s Ben and Matt,” Griff said as the other two men came over and shook their hands. Joy glanced warily at Dylan, wondering what was going on that required three men to meet them at a bridge in the middle of nowhere.

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