Page 2 of Pretend You Love Me
Me: Will, please don’t.
Will: Are you in some sort of trouble?
Me: I already said I wasn’t. Why don’t any of you listen to me?
Zadie: We are listening to you. That’s why we’re worried.
James: Brooklyn, this is not okay. You must be joking. You really expect us to be okay with you disappearing for two months?
Eli: I told you he’d shit a brick.
Me: Please don’t try to find me.
James: I am not making that promise. I have to know you are safe.
Me: I need to be alone. I want to be alone. Please respect that.
James: No. You are putting yourself in so much danger. I cannot allow you to do this.
Me: James, it’s not your decision. I love you all. I really don’t want you to worry, but I won’t be in contact until the end of the summer. I’m turning off my phone as soon as I cross the Canadian border. Please don’t try to track me.
James: Canadian border??? This had better be a joke.
Declan: Oh, shit, this isn’t going to end well.
James: Brooklyn, we need to talk about this. I’m calling you. Pick up the phone.
Zadie: I’m sure we can help. Whatever it is, you don’t need to do it alone.
James: Brooklyn, I’m going to get the FBI involved.
Juno: That’s exactly what she asked you not to do.
James: I don’t care.
Juno: Brooklyn, are you really gone?
Will: I just tried to Facetime. Nothing.
James: FBI says her phone is off. Customs confirmed she crossed the border. Damn it. If she tries to contact any of you, you will tell me immediately.
Zadie: I’m worried.
Will. Me too.
Juno: I’m going to miss her.
James: I’m going to find her.
Chapter One
Brooklyn
“No, no, no,” I say as the car I’m driving hits the world’s biggest pothole. The car jerks to the side; and before I can right it, I’m sitting in the ditch - car sideways.
“Shit.” I lean against the steering wheel. I was supposed to keep a low profile - stay under the radar. Crashing my rental car is the opposite of staying under the radar. Crashing my rental car is putting myself directly in the middle of the freaking radar.
I see a truck pull behind me. It’s a desolate road. I’m surprised anyone is driving by. I haven’t seen another car in an hour.
