Aftermath

  “Do you know if this was a single encounter with Char?”

  “We do not. What you see is all we know at this time,” I said.

  After assigning tasks to agents to monitor Char, I ended the meeting and dismissed the team.

  “We need to shield these details from Molly,” I said to Bianca. “No sense in alarming her more than she already is. Push comes to shove, she’s our bait.”

  ***

  Attending Claire’s soccer game was expected of me and I needed to keep up appearances, despite what was really going on. I saw Lucas at the fence when I reached the bleachers.

  “Hey,” I said, though our eyes never met.

  He grunted a response.

  “Man, I’m sorry about last night,” I said. “I had too much to drink.” I placed my forearms on the top of the fence and leaned onto them for support. Faking a hangover was unnecessary. My human body gave me the real thing.

  I almost didn’t hear Lucas’ response as the thought of tequila rushed in and out of my mind with a sense of urgency.

  “You were totally fucked up, man.” Lucas laughed. “It’s alright. Everyone needs to let loose once and a while.”

  “Yeah,” I said and nodded. If only he knew. “I just wish I would’ve stopped after Drew’s.” I shook my head slowly.

  “No shit?” He turned to look at me. “Whad-ya do last night? You look like hell.”

  “I feel like it too. Tequila’s not my friend.”

  Lucas chuckled under his breath and watched the game. Emma passed the ball to a forward, who ended up turning it over further down the field. She was focused on the game. I shouldn’t have expected any different. Three minutes left.

  When the ball was passed near our side of the field, Emma noticed me. For a split second, her thoughts reflected the night before with anger and confusion over the scene I made.

  “Well, hey, I gotta go,” I said and turned to Lucas, extending my hand. “Friends?”

  He shook my hand and nodded.

  The downloaded files from Lucas were lengthy and disorganized but not as informative as his mother’s. I scanned them again and found no concrete evidence to explain the peculiar feeling I got around him.

  Chapter 74

  Emma's Story

  “Thanks for coming,” I said.

  Neal and Aunt Barb waited for me at the sidelines. They greeted me with compliments and made small talk with my teammates’ parents as people passed by.

  Lucas lingered near the fence.

  “I’ll meet you at home, honey. Neal and Lucas are setting up that shelf.” Aunt Barb beamed with excitement. I guessed it was a combination of the new house and spending time with Neal. After a quick hug, they left.

  “So you’re an athlete, too,” Lucas said once we were alone.

  “Huh?”

  “You’re not just a pretty face.”

  My cheeks burned. Fortunately, I was probably already red from running in the game and didn’t need to worry about looking as embarrassed as I felt.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “My dad said he was coming. So I thought, why not?” His smile softened the rough edge of his look, not to mention personality. “Do you need a ride home?”

  “No. I’ve got my car. But thanks.” I gestured toward the parking lot and instinctively, we both began walking.

  “My dad thinks he needs some help with your aunt’s shelf.”

  I nodded. “Are you coming over?”

  “Yeah. If that’s alright with you.”

  I held back a grin.

  “Um, yeah. That’s fine.” Better you than me, I thought.

  ***

  By the time I was showered and dressed, the shelf was installed.

  “I’m making lunch,” Aunt Barb called to me when I reached the kitchen.

  Neal was nose deep into the refrigerator while Lucas sat at the island, looking uncomfortable.

  “Why don’t you run to your mom’s after lunch and get your things?” Neal said to Lucas as he handed him a can of Coke.

  “Yeah, sure,” Lucas answered, popping open the can of soda.

  Aunt Barb placed a platter of sub sandwiches on the counter, and Neal took a seat.

  “Lucas is moving back to Neal’s house.” Aunt Barb restated what she told me earlier and everyone filled their plates. Then looking at Lucas, she added, “If you need any help, I’m sure Emma won’t mind giving you a hand.”

  I shot her a look, but she wasn’t facing me to notice.

  “Actually, you need to give Ray his truck back,” Neal said. “Maybe Emma can follow you to Riverside, so I don’t have to see your mom.” The latter part he mumbled under his breath, and I wasn’t sure if anyone else heard him, but me. “You don’t mind. Do you, Emma?”

  I shook my head and took a bite of my sandwich. How could I say no?

  “Don’t forget dinner tonight,” my aunt added. Neal eagerly agreed.

  Great. Another joint meal, I thought, and finished my lunch. After helping my aunt clear the table, Lucas said he was ready to go.

  “I’ll follow you,” I said, standing in the driveway, keys in hand.

  “Have you been to Riverside before?” Lucas asked.

  “No. And I have no idea how to get here. So don’t lose me.”

  “Then you better keep up.” His firm look turned to a smirk.

  ***

  I remembered Aunt Barb vaguely pointing to a road near Lake Bell that led to Riverside. Except Lucas went a completely different route, and I found myself running yellow lights in downtown Westport just to keep up with him.

  Outside the city, the road was narrow and hilly with large trees and leaves in shades of fall colors. The picturesque pathway followed the southern edge of Lake Bell with glimpses of the water far below. The flowing, scenic route gave way to city streets and small houses when we reached Riverside. Sidewalks and shops lined the curb with large flowerpots on the corners and flags that hung from lampposts.

  The only stoplight in town changed from yellow to red after Lucas went through it. He turned left and pulled over next to a brownstone building with a sign that read, “Carmichael Corporation.” I made a mental note to ask Aunt Barb about it when I got home.

  Hmm. I glanced behind me and expected to see a grocery store, but only noticed a diner named Priscilla, a hair salon, and the post office. My mind must be playing tricks on me, I thought. The light changed, and I turned to follow Lucas.

  The back bumper of Ray’s truck read, “Black smoke don’t mean it’s broke.” I didn’t understand what it meant, but as Lucas pulled out in front of me and the vertical pipes in the truck’s bed puffed out exhaust, I figured it out.

  Lucas turned left and then right, before pulling over to park alongside a fence behind the Carmichael plant.

  The brown brick houses looked the same on this block and matched those on the blocks around it. All the buildings were made of the same colored bricks, and I wondered if it was on sale the year these homes were built.

  I parked behind Lucas and turned off the engine. Suddenly, I felt uneasy. I didn’t know much about Lucas’ mom, but what I heard didn’t sound good.

  There was no reason for me to worry because the upstairs apartment was empty when we arrived. McDonald’s bags and wrappers were scattered on the table along with papers and beer cans. Lucas tried to clean up the garbage, though it didn’t matter.

  “Sorry about this,” Lucas said when he caught my glance.

  “It’s fine.” Plain white walls surrounded me. A brown suede couch was across from a large TV. Lucas filed a duffel bag with a couple shirts that were lying on the arm of the sofa.

  “You can sit if you want. Watch TV.” He looked away, as I turned to face him. He reached for the remote, clicked a button, and the television buzzed to life. “I’ll be a few minutes.”

  When Lucas pulled out a plastic tub from behind the chair, a cat meowed and rushed past me, startling me.

  “S
he scared you, didn’t she?” he asked.

  I laughed. “Yeah.”

  “Sorry. She’s uncomfortable around strangers.”

  I nodded and looked around. I could relate. “Um… did you want some help?” I asked. “I mean, I don’t mind.”

  “No, I got it. I don’t have a lot, but I really don’t want to come back for it.”

  “That’s fine.” I followed him to the hallway and stood in the doorway of the bathroom as he grabbed his toiletries. I wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing and turned into him. “Oh. Sorry.”

  He smiled as my hand rested momentarily on his chest. “Not the kind of lifestyle you grew up with, I’m guessing.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not like this. My mom’s a mess. My dad was pretty strict.”

  When he leaned closer, I knew he was going to kiss me. Even though I was sure I only wanted to be friends, I didn’t pull away. Voices on the stairs interrupted our kiss before it even began. He turned away quickly, as if not wanting to get caught in the act.

  “Hey, I’ve got a friend over,” Lucas said as a thin woman put a plastic grocery bag on the already-messy table. “This is Emma.”

  “Emma, this is Char, ah… I mean, my mom,” Lucas said and then pointed to an overweight man. “This is Ray.”

  Char gave me a hug, like we were long-lost pals. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “She’s prettier than you told us,” Ray said and shook my hand. He held it longer than I expected, cupped in both of his hands. When he finally let go, he said, “Did we interrupt something? You two need some privacy?” His voice was gruff.

  “Ah, no,” I answered quickly.

  “I’ll just be a minute,” Lucas whispered in my ear, and then headed to the bedroom.

  “So Emma, tell me… You a senior, too?” Ray asked as he took a seat at the table.

  “Yes.”

  Char unpacked the bag she brought in, placing two bakery boxes in front of Ray. “Emma, honey, would you like a brownie?” I started to say no, but she continued before I could object. “My friend has a bakery in town. Makes the best brownies for me. Here. Try one.” She held open a white box under my nose. The aroma of chocolaty richness floated toward my nostrils, and I couldn’t resist.

  “Okay,” I said and helped myself. A sheet of waxed paper separated what looked like multiple layers of square brownies as thick as they were tall.

  “I’ll get you some milk.” She put the box down and left.

  “Lucas said you just moved here,” Ray continued, ignoring Char. His thin, black hair was slicked straight back, defining a receding hairline.

  “Yes. From Illinois.” I took a bite of the brownie. It was chewy and moist, just like my mom used to make, with mini chocolate chips, less the walnut chunks. Mom never put nuts in her recipe. She said Dad didn’t like them. I didn’t mind, I realized as I finished the small square.

  I took a drink of milk from the glass Char handed me.

  “You need ice-cold milk to wash it down, I always say,” Char added. She helped herself to a brownie, pushing the box toward Ray, who waved his hand at her.

  “What part?” Ray asked. “Chicago?”

  “Highland Park.”

  “Here, Emma, have another,” Char said in between chews, holding the box in front of me again.

  I shook my head.

  “Aren’t they tasty?” she asked, her eyes widening as she spoke. I reluctantly took another. I couldn’t resist and didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

  “These are really good,” I told her.

  “I know. Every once in a while, you need a nice treat. I always tell Ray that. Isn’t that right, dear?” She turned to look at him, but he ignored her. His pink shirt was opened enough to see a thick, gold chain on his neck.

  “Highland Park… yeah, I’ve been there.” Ray’s eyes were fixed on mine, though he appeared deep in thought. “Deerfield Avenue. There are some car dealerships there. Or is that further south?”

  I finished the milk and placed the empty glass on the table.

  “Oh, dear. You need some more,” Char said to herself and turned toward the kitchen.

  I waved her off, but she went anyway.

  Ray ignored her, as Char hummed in the kitchen. “You by the car dealerships? On Deerfield?” Ray asked.

  “Oh, sorry. That’s south of me,” I answered, flustered.

  “You moved in with your aunt, right?”

  Char returned with my glass refilled, as Lucas walked in. “Lucas, have a brownie.” Char held up the box to him. She looked like a pusher.

  “Did you have one?” he asked me.

  I nodded in response to both Ray’s question and the one from Lucas. I was getting confused with the amount of attention given to me. I glanced at Lucas, wondering if he was done yet. He shook his head and gave Char a dirty look.

  “You just feel so good getting a treat like this, don’t you, Emma?”

  “Um, yes. They’re very good.”

  “Take another. They’re small,” she said. I looked at Lucas, hoping it was time to go. “Lucas, I got another box, just for you, dear.”

  He ignored his mom’s comment, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “Let’s go.”

  I nodded. He put the strap from the duffel bag on my shoulder, grabbed the plastic tub, and headed down the stairs.

  “Bye. Nice meeting both of you,” I said, waving my hand in a brief goodbye.

  ***

  “Want me to drive?” Lucas asked after we loaded my trunk.

  I shook my head and got in the car. Why would he drive my car?

  After a few blocks turning left and left again to get back to the main street, I started to feel funny.

  Dizzy.

  I didn’t realize it at first, but I felt lightheaded. What would it be like to fly?

  Lucas stared at the road. Didn’t he know I was looking at him? Huh, he was cuter than I thought. Well, not Ben-cute. Definitely nicer, though. Nice mom, too. And Ray was friendly, too.

  “Slow down!” he snapped at me.

  When I turned back to look at the road, I realized the cars in front of me were at a stop.

  I slammed on the brakes. My heart pounded in my chest as I caught my breath. “What’s wrong with me?” I thought to myself. When I heard the words in my own voice, I guessed it was aloud and not just in my head.

  “You’re a bad driver. That’s what’s wrong with you.”

  I chuckled and turned to look at Lucas after confirming the stop light was still red. He laughed and told me to turn ahead. It was a different route than what we came in on.

  I got the giggles. Gut busting, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t-stop-laughing giggles.

  By the time he told me the light was green, I had tears running down my cheeks and my stomach ached. I wasn’t even sure what was funny. Nothing actually. Maybe I was getting sick. I didn’t feel well. I didn’t think. Or did I feel great?

  Different, I decided. I felt different, like I was free.

  I wanted to be free. The seat belt strap that crossed my body bothered me. I tugged on it, pulling it off my chest while I tried to focus on the road. City blocks turned into country fields.

  There would be a farm ahead on the left, a tall, white house with a green roof.

  Wait. What?

  “You drive like a granny,” Lucas said. I think he said it twice. I picked up my speed and told him I wasn’t a granny. This time I couldn’t remember actually hearing my voice.

  When the road curved, I knew I was close to the farm where Julia Kensington lived.

  Huh? Who was Julia?

  “Slow down.” Lucas raised his voice. “Just pull over. I’ll drive.”

  “No. It’s my car. I’m not letting you drive my car.” I took the hill a little too fast and felt my stomach lurch, as the car reached the crest and swept down the other side. The shocks absorbed most of the sway, but my insides took a second or two to
readjust. It was the same feeling I got on the rollercoasters at Six Flags.

  Oh! Six Flags. I went there with Melissa and my friends back home. Matt.

  I missed Matt.

  I slowed the car down and tried to focus. My eyelids were heavy.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Lucas asked. I felt the tension between us as if his eyes were boring into the side of my head.

  “I don’t know,” I whispered.

  “You’re baked. Did you have some of those brownies?”

  “Those gourmet brownies your mother got from the bakery? They were soooo gooooood. Almost better than my… my… my mom’s.” I caught myself and swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn’t want to cry in front of him.

  Wait. Baked? What did he say?

  “You’re totally high!” he chuckled. “That’s awesome.”

  “What? What do you mean?”

  “Just what I said. Turn here. You can’t go home like that. My dad’ll fucking kill me. I’m already in enough trouble without getting blamed for this, too. Turn right.”

  “Huh?” I turned where he told me and then again, past a house that looked familiar on a road marked, Dead End. “Hey, does Drew live back there?” He nodded. “Where are we going?”

  “Just park over there.”

  “Where? There?” I asked, pointing to a small opening between the bushes on the wooded hillside. Taking my hand off the steering wheel wasn’t a good idea. The car suddenly had a mind of its own.

  “Here!” Lucas’s tone turned irritated. He mumbled something under his breath before he grabbed the wheel. I panicked. “Pull around the tree. Then no one will see your car.”

  The gravel path was covered in leaves, with grasses and weeds taking over the crushed, thinning stones. I stopped beside the tree, but after Lucas looked around, he told me to inch forward. When he seemed pleased, I shut off the engine and he got out.

  He was on my side with the door open before I had the seatbelt unlatched.

  I was stoned.

  And I liked it.

  Why didn’t I do this before?

  Lucas reached for my hand and helped me out of the car. He didn’t step back to give me space, though I wasn’t uncomfortable being this close either. His lips were touching mine before I knew it. I should have seen it coming. He closed the already-small gap between us, and I leaned back against the doorframe. I tasted his breath in my mouth and felt winded when he stepped back.