Page 81 of Never Give Up

“Yeah,” James pitches in. “I think we were mean to leave her at home. She looked sad when we left.”

I don’t say anything over the knot in my throat. “I’m not sure she wants to go fishing.”

“This has always been a boys’ getaway. Wouldn’t having a girl around ruin it?” Jake asks.

“You are so wrong. Girls like all kinds of things,” James says. “Like… fishing.”

“He’s got me there.” Jake laughs.

“I think he’s calling you a misogynist.” I grip the wheel.

Truthfully, Maya probably would love this kind of thing. And I’d love having her there. Again, I feel the urge to give her a call and let her know we’re on the way.

“I love her,” James says, lifting my heart.

“I know you do, bud.” The next thing that comes out of my mouth just feels right. “If you want to, we can invite her to go with us next time.”

“Good.” Both Jonathan and James speak in unison.

The boys fall silent, and I look ahead while I drive.

“Hey, I love her too; do I get some candy, dad?” Jake asks playfully.

I shoot him a look. “No. You get a kick in the teeth.”

Jake doesn’t seem bothered at all. “Spoilsport.”

* * *

Maya

“What do you want?”I ask the man, willing my voice not to shake.

It’s him.

My attacker.

But that’s not it. I know him from somewhere. His face. His voice. There’s something too familiar.

Iknewhe wasn’t just being friendly.

He’d been driving the cab, and as he smiles, terror grips me as I go for my panic button, the bracelet I’m wearing around my wrist more out of habit than anything else at this point.

But he gets there first, ripping the thing off my wrist. He tosses it on the table.

I back away, moving so the kitchen island stays between us.

“Maya. I’m not stupid.” He narrows his eyes. “I know what that thing is. I mean, look at it. It’s tacky.”

“It’s just a bracelet.” He stands between me and the door and I don’t know if I can rush him.

“Liar.”

“What do you want?” I need to think. Get him talking… “People will be here soon since you set off the alarm. If you leave now, maybe you can get away.”

Not a chance in hell, because I know what you look like.I silently memorize every single detail of his face.

He laughs, staying where he is, blocking the door like he’s here on some demented sort of social call.

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