Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Despite my inner convincing, my heart protests, beating wildly at the idea of leaving him here. Imagining Amy’s small, feminine hand on his shoulder or face or lower has disgust roiling in my gut.
He’s mine, dammit.
Tomorrow, he won’t be.
I wait by our motel rooms, anxiously pacing the sidewalk, right after dinner. Wayne is the first to arrive, a thick, bushy eyebrow lifted in question.
“I, uh, wanted to meet with everyone before you all head to bed. Can you give me a few minutes?”
Wayne frowns slightly but nods, leaning up against the wall and fishing a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket. Soon, Dan lumbers our way, head bowed, with Jesse and Hailey trailing behind. They hold hands like an old married couple.
Behind them, Aaron has his arm slung over Hope’s shoulders as they walk, the two of them grinning beautiful smiles.
Everyone’s so at peace here.
Tyler won’t leave his brothers and his brothers seem happy to be here.
It’s better that I go alone.
By the time Tyler says goodbye to Florence and strides over to us, I’m about to burst with nervous energy. Something in my expression tips off Tyler because one moment he’s wearing an easy smile and the next his lips thin out.
With narrowed eyes on me, Tyler says, “What’s going on, Kell?”
Grimacing, I tear my gaze from his to dart my eyes over everyone in our group. Dan is stiff and his features unreadable as he stares intently at me.
“I’m leaving,” I blurt out. “Tomorrow morning.”
Everyone is silent for a moment.
“You could give us a little warning before we all have to pack up and go,” Tyler says jokingly, though his strained voice makes it fall flat.
“Alone,” I clarify. “Tomorrow, I’m going to Kansas alone.”
Silence.
Aside from the laughter that can be heard from down the road as people head back home for the evening, it’s pretty damn quiet.
“No,” Tyler grits out.
“I’ve thought this out,” I say, but Tyler cuts me off.
“I said no, Kellen.”
Snapping my head up, I look his way. His jaw muscle ticks as he glares at me.
“I wasn’t asking for permission,” I bite back. “I have to find my brother—my family.”
The group is quiet as they watch us argue, none of them interrupting or chiming in.
“And I’m telling you it’s not happening,” Tyler practically growls. “I’m going with you.”
“No.” I give a vehement shake of my head. “You’re safe here. Your family and everyone else in this group is safe here. Everyone’s happy. Just stay here and live your lives.”
“Everyone else can stay here,” Tyler protests, prowling closer, “but I’m going. I’m not staying here. Staying long term here was never the plan.”
“The plan changed,” I snap. “Stay, goddammit.”
He recoils. “Why? Do you not want me anymore?”
Pain lances at my heart and a ball of emotion clogs my throat. Is he kidding? I want him more than anyone I’ve ever wanted in my entire life.
“It’s not that and you know it.” My voice is hoarse and brittle. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“Yeah, well, don’t,” Tyler hisses. “I can protect myself.”
Before I can open my mouth to keep the argument going, Dan clears his throat.
“We’ll all be packed and ready to go at first light,” Dan says in a quiet, no-nonsense tone.
“No,” I grumble. “Hailey should stay here. It’s what’s best for her.”
“Last I checked,” Dan clips out, “I’m her father. Respectfully, you don’t know what’s best for her.”
Aaron steps closer and clutches my shoulder. “We’re all going. As a group. I don’t know about the rest of you, but me and Hope have reservations about this place.”
I stare at him, stunned. “Reservations? It’s so…perfect.”
Dan huffs. “Until they run out of supplies.”
“Until the Costco empties out,” Tyler adds, voice still sharp like a blade. “Florence says the government will swoop in after that to ‘fix’ everything. I think they’re a bit delusional here. This is a temporary safe haven for them. It’s only a matter of time before it crumples.”
Frowning, I look at each member of our group. They’re really going to give this all up to travel with me. As irritated as I am at their stupidity, I’m also moved. It makes me feel cared for and a part of something.
These people are my friends.
Friends don’t abandon friends.
Okay, so now I feel like a total dick.
“Spoke with Jared this afternoon,” Dan says, crossing his arms over his chest. “Like Tyler said, they don’t have a long-term plan. They think they’re riding out a literal storm. Not one of them feels the permanence of the state of the world. It’s like they’re so isolated from reality that they’re absolutely clueless, no matter how much we explain the horrors we’ve faced.”
“Didn’t you say your uncle was a prepper or something?” Tyler asks, some of the hostility gone from his voice. “He probably has a plan for a future. A real plan.”