Chapter 37

Packing that cheap, worn backpack was nostalgic. When I was a kid, it'd been a constant, to go to a new foster home, to run away, or when they'd ship me off to the group home. After a while, I just stopped unpacking. It was easier, safer.

The thing about foster care that most people didn't know about was when you leave, or when another kid leaves, the rest turn into scavengers. Nothing is safe, and you better believe more than one kid had been beat down for something small. Basic. A jacket. A t-shirt.

The memory of myself decking a girl for trying to steal my pencil flashed to the forefront of my mind.

People didn't know how it felt to be packing yet another bag, leaving yet another place, knowing how stupid I'd been to allow myself to get attached. I knew better. More than anyone. Yet... here I was.

I didn't even let my mind touch on the fact that I was leaving with Bard. My disillusioned brain wouldn't admit that our destination was secluded, alone, far away, and dangerously private.

I shook my head and shoved the last bit of my clothes haphazardly into the pack.

"All set?" Bard appeared in the doorway, then moved to take the bag from me.

With memories of another life so fresh, I instinctively jerked it away from him.

He took a step back, lifted his hands, and studied me. "I'm not going to steal it."

I cleared my throat. "Sorry." I handed over. "Some habits just don't die."

Gaze never wavering, he murmured, "They will," then moved past me and out the back door.

I took a deep breath. We hadn't even left yet, and my nerves were like jumping beans inside my stomach. "I'm gonna go say bye to everyone!" I called, already headed in the opposite direction.

The first person I searched out was Mr. Frankfire. I found him sitting in his new usual spot, leaned back in a chair by the backdoor of the shop. "Hey, old man."

He looked up and shot me a toothy grin. "Hey, girl. You ready to work?"

I closed the remaining distance between us. "I'm leaving actually. Bard is taking me into the mountains."

His eyebrows shot upwards. "Why the hell would you possibly want to..." His voice trailed off, and a crooked smirk tilted his lips. "Ahh, I see."

"What?" I furrowed my brow at him. "What do you see?"

"You're going bear hunting," he said, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

I snorted. "Why the hell would I go bear hunting?"

"Quiet, girl! Here comes one now!" He pointed towards the yard.

I turned to find Bard walking towards us. When I turned back to Mr. Frankfire, he was silently laughing at me. "Shut up, old man."

His response was one of those old person laughs that sounded as if dust would puff out of his throat. I rolled my eyes and pushed past him into the shop.

Scarlet was the first to approach me. "All packed?"

I eyed her. "Yes..."

She grinned. "Wonder how long you'll last."

"Until what?"

She titled her head, rolled one shoulder. "Until you get laid. I'm curious to see how much it chills you out. You're wound tighter than Boe since he came in here sporting that black eye this morning." Her grin widened. "I still haven't gotten the story on that, but I've been having fun imagining."

I grimaced. "Don't know, and no, I'm not getting laid. That's not what this is."

She snorted. "Okay. Whatever you say. If you don't, I'm gonna be a little pissed. It's the only good thing about you leaving. I finally have a chick that's not annoying as fuck around here, and there she goes!" She tossed her arms in the air. "Dragged off into the mountains by a fucking Sasquatch. What are the odds?"

I laughed.

"A Sasquatch?" Bard, once again far too quiet for my own good, appeared right behind me.

"There it is," Scarlet hissed behind her hand.

Bard glared at her.

I studied his expression and bit back a smile. "You don't like that, huh?"

He didn't respond, never even acknowledged me, too busy glaring at the blue haired girl in front of him.

Scarlet didn't look intimidated.

"It's fitting, you know?" I pursed my lips. "You're gigantic, hairy, reclusive, secretive." I shrugged. "Sounds pretty Bigfoot to me."

He shifted his focus to me and leaned forward. "You know what they say about big feet, Tequila."

My mouth went dry, and–dammit–heat flooded my face.

"Holy shit!" Scarlet laughed. "Are you blushing?"

Nope. I turned my back on both of them and walked away.

Zeke was waiting in his station, and he'd obviously been watching the three of us. When I started towards him, he stood, met me halfway and wrapped me into a tight hug. It was strange that it felt so natural. "Bard's gonna take care of you. Don't worry. We're gonna get this shit straightened out."

I nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've done more for me than anyone I've ever met in my life. Thank you for that."

He chuckled. "Don't get all sentimental. You're making Charlene cry." He ruffled my hair in a fatherly way, and a lump formed in my throat.

"Now, hurry up and say goodbye to everyone else. She looks about ready to burst a damn pipe over there."

I turned and, sure enough, the woman was bawling.

I gave her a hug, too. "Don't cry. This isn't anything I'm not used to." The words were meant to make her stop, but they only seemed to make it worst.

Charlene's bawling turned to sobbing. For such an attractive woman, she sure was an ugly cryer. Hiccuping, scrunched up face, skin red and blotchy. I patted her, unsure of what else to do. "There, there?" I shot Zeke a pleading look.

He smirked. "Come here, Sniffles."

I breathed a sigh of relief when he took her away from me and made my way back over to Bard. "You ready?" Even as I asked the question, my gaze roamed, hoping Boe would walk through the door. I hadn't seen him, and the fact that he was suddenly absent made my chest grow tight. He was still mad. Things were ruined, just like they always were.

Bard grabbed my hand and all but dragged me behind him.

I pulled back, but he didn't give an inch. "I can walk, you know?"

He opened the door for me.

My eyes narrowed as I climbed inside. "I can open my own doors, too."

"I know you can." He swung the door shut before I could respond.

When he climbed into his side, he reached over to buckle my seat belt.

I smacked him away. "Stop! I'm not a fucking infant."

His chest rumbled as he leaned back into his seat and started the engine. The Camaro roared to life, and I quickly clicked the restraint into place, remembering how close I'd come to death the last time I let him drive me around.

Bard was silent as he tore onto the road.

"How long will it take to get there?" I asked.

"Couple hours." He kept his face forward, shifted gears.

I stared at his profile a moment. "I was expecting Boe to come say goodbye."

"Why?" He made it sound like a strange assumption.

"Um... because I'm leaving."

"Highly doubt he knows." He shifted again, and the car lurched.

I gaped at him. "Let me use your phone."

"No."

"I need to call him."

"No you don't."

I groaned. "I can't just leave and not say anything!"

"I thought you were just friends." He turned to give me another of his famous cutting looks.

I rolled my eyes. "We are."

"Friends don't need to explain where they're going." He turned back to the road.

My hands balled into fist, and I had to fight not to lash out. Whatever. Be a dick. I turned away and glared out the window, refusing to ask again. It wasn't like I was going to beg him for the fucking thing.

Neither of us spoke after that. Buildings turned to trees, and trees turned into more trees. Endless amounts of fucking trees.

When we started gaining altitude, my ears popped, and it was the most uncomfortable feeling in the world. It only added to my irritation. I struggled to pop them back, wiggling my finger like a woman possessed.

Bard reached over and held out a stick of gum. "Chew this. It'll help."

I ignored it.

"Just take the damn gum, Tequila."

"No." My voice was flat, and I turned my face back to the window.

"Look, chew the gum, and I'll let you use my phone when we get there."

I looked at him. "Really?"

"I promise." He crossed his chest, then held the gum back out.

I took it. It was juicy fruit, and I lifted an eyebrow at him. "I never pinned you for a juicy fruit type of guy."

He softened a bit, and the very corner of his mouth twitched. "I like sweet things."

I unwrapped the gum and stuck it in my mouth. The minute I bit down, the air expelled from my ears. "Thank you, Jesus!" I sighed.

"Nah, I'm Bard," he said, still focused on the road. "I can see the resemblance, though."

A laugh bubbled out of me. "You're kinda right."

He turned and blessed me with a smile. "Not much farther now, Tequila."

We drove for another half hour, and the road narrowed more and more with each mile. It wound and weaved its way through the terrain, becoming almost non existent in places.

When a cabin came into view, Bard let out a heavy breath. "There it is."

It was small, probably only big enough for a couple of bedrooms, and old. It sat in between the trees like some long lost relic.

Bard parked the car and looked over at me. "I'm glad you agreed to this, Tequila."

I shrugged. "It was the smartest plan."

"Let's get settled, then we can eat something." He swung his door open.

"Not so fast." I grabbed his arm and held a hand out. "Phone, remember?"

Bard smirked and pulled the phone out of his pocket. "Knock yourself out."

I grabbed it and pulled up Boe's contact, but when I tried to call, the screen flashed no service. "It's not working."

Bard tilted his head at me. "Really? Hmm, that's strange." He got out and closed the door behind him.

😂😂😂😂 This is still so funny to me. Hope you enjoyed! Next upload tomorrow 🤗❤️