Take My Breath Away

  Chapter 24

  We arrived back at my house after a silent trip. It was pretty obvious, Izzy wasn't happy about my screwing things up at Cathy's.

  "I'm sorry," I offered. "I held out as long as I could."

  "I know. It's not your fault."

  "So I guess you got Cathy back to her room okay?"

  "I got her upstairs before her mom came out of her room and I managed to hide so she didn't see me. Cathy did great, told her mom she was just getting a glass of water. Her mom was so groggy, she didn't notice Cathy was dressed."

  "Well, at least we didn't get her in any trouble."

  Izzy glanced upstairs.

  "Mom?"

  "It's okay, she just rolled over."

  "Are you leaving?"

  "I don't know."

  "But I thought—"

  "Before I left Cathy, she told me the bikers were leaving Middletown, headed for somewhere in Arkansas."

  "I guess they bought my story back at the park then. What about Benjaim, did the connection work?"

  "I definitely felt him, but I can't be sure it went both ways."

  "I'm really sorry I screwed up."

  "This wouldn't have been possible without you."

  "So now what?" I asked hesitantly, not sure I wanted to hear the answer.

  "I don't know. It sounds like the bikers are gone, and I didn't feel as if Benjamin was in any danger. Maybe things are okay."

  "That's good, right? You know, I didn't mention this before, but when I was talking to Cathy after church, her mom said she has your makeup work."

  "You want me to come back to school?"

  "Of course I do, if that's what you want. You said everything was okay."

  "I don't know, there'd be lots of questions."

  "I'm sure we could figure something out. Heck, we're getting pretty good at the whole cloak and dagger thing, don't you think?"

  "I'll think about it." She glanced upstairs again. "You better get some sleep."

  "Sure, you're probably right." I turned and opened the door.

  "I love you."

  When I looked back, Izzy was gone.