Page 43 of Because of the Dar

"Close your mouth before you catch a fly," she chuckled, then leaned in for a hug. "Are you going to your usual spot?"

I nodded, and she gave me a forced smile. Mags didn't like when I was out of reach, which I would be. There was no cell reception once you crossed into dirt-road territory, as we called it.

About an hour and a half out of town, there was a small lake in a forested bowl at the base of the mountains. If you didn't know about it, you would never expect it to be there. One of Mags's friends had told me about it, and during my first need to escape, I drove up there. About halfway, I thought I would die the way the road (I'm using the term loosely) was laid out—or not laid out, for that matter. But once you got there, holy shit, it was like something out of a fairy tale. There was a small campground nearby, but that was about it. You lost service less than a mile after leaving the paved roads, and that was still seven miles before you reached your destination. My personal place of mental peace was the epitome of "off the grid." A few more weeks, and the road would close for the winter.

"When are you back?" Knowing my roommate, she'd wait on the doorstep for my return to make sure I was safe. Even after all this time, it was still new to me to have people in my life that were this concerned about my well-being.

"Before my shift tomorrow." I settled into the car, and Echo circled in her seat once before getting comfy. I blew Mags a kiss through the window and watched her get smaller in the rearview mirror until I turned at the end of our street.

The nightaway was exactly what I needed.

After setting up camp, Echo and I hiked and then settled on the edge of the lake. Wrapped in my heavy jacket and a blanket around my legs, I watched the sun go down while my dog tried to catch critters.

With my floodlight-style flashlight Kiwi bought me after I brought him with me one time, Echo and I made our way back to camp and ate dinner. Lying in my tent, Wes crossed my mind, and I briefly let my mind wander. What could happen inside these thin walls if he were up here with me? My sleeping bag quickly felt like I was wrapped in a heating blanket, and I had to pull my beanie off to cool down.

Throwing my hat across the tent, I balled my fists. "It doesn't fucking matter. There is no Wes and King."

Echo lifted her head from her paws and stared at me with her head tilted. Tears started pooling in my eyes, and I dug the heels of my hands into them. I came here to escape, not to be reminded that the words Wes whispered in my ear at the bar last week would never come true.

Something dropped into my lap, and I let my hands fall on it. Echo had brought my beanie back over. I took her snout between both hands and planted a kiss on her wet nose. "Thanks, girl."

She settled next to me, and I covered her with her own sleeping bag.

Oblivion thankfully came, and in the morning, I felt better. The Wes phase was over. So what if Sheats lived in the same town? At least now I didn't have to worry about "him" coming. For a hot second, I was afraid of what he would do if he found me with Wes.

Echo and I went on another hike before packing up, and by the time I reach theWelcome to Stonebriarsign, I have formed a new plan. Finish this semester and move on. Kiwi can stay, and I would come back to visit him and Mags. It's better than—

"What the fuck?" I bring the Jeep to an abrupt stop in the middle of my street. The front of our house is in full view, Mags's car is gone, and in its place sits a Harley.

His Harley.

My heart stutters, and I glance left and right as if I'd find the answer of what to do outside the Jeep. I could turn around and pretend I was never here. Go straight to work. He'll have to leave eventually. But what am I going to do with Echo? Out of the corner of my eye, I see my dogscrutinizingme as if asking why we're stopped.

I inhale deeply and slowly ease off the brake. I don't press the gas pedal down and instead roll at a snail's pace until I am in my parking spot. I peer to the side, scanning the bike. It's his. Every bit of doubt I was building up in my head is eradicated and stomped on like the roach I once found in one of my old places.

Fuck!

Opening my door, Echo squeezes between me and the steering wheel and races to the side door we usually enter the house through.

My childhood Ritalin experience floods my mind as I try to slow my thrashing pulse—unsuccessfully. I slowly slide one leg out of the car and let my foot hover over the cracked concrete. Drawing in a deep breath, I close my eyes. This is my house. My home. I'm not letting him chase me from that.

With more determination, I get out and follow my dog, who is now dancing on her paws.

"Calm down, girl. Why are you so excited?"

I twist the knob, and before I can open the door all the way, she pushes forward, racing inside.

"ECHO! Heel!" But she's gone. "Shit."

I bite the inside of my cheek. I could leave. She's in the house.

Before I can talk myself into running, I walk farther inside. There is no sign of Wes in the kitchen or living room. That leaves only…

I push the door to my room open and—fucking hell.

My treacherous dog has her front paws on Wes's chest—who is sitting onmybed—and licking his face like he's the most delicious treat.

She's not wrong there. Damn it!

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