Page 37 of See You in Your Dreams

“Because,” Greta replies, her voice growing hesitant. “He sorta mentioned you. A lot.”

Heat floods my cheeks. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” Several beats of silence pass before Greta releases a long sigh. “Look, Dylan, I’m really sorry to drop this on you out of the blue, but I wasn’t sure who else to call.”

I think of my last conversation with Ash a few days earlier in the school parking lot, the pain and resignation plain on his face. Then, I flash back still further to all the quiet and not-so-quiet moments we’d spent together the past few weeks. To how hardhe’d fought against becoming my friend…and how much happier he’d seemed once we were.

It’s not your job to save me.

“Text me the address. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Dylan. You’re a life saver!”

Silencing my flurry of doubts, I hang up. My phonedingsa few moments later. I check the address Greta sent me and consider my next steps. Emily lives halfway across town, and Mom’s got the car. Unless I want to guide a stumbling Ash back to his aunt’s on foot, that only leaves Tommy’s truck.Shit.

I run through different conversation tactics in my head while I finish up dinner. Bracing myself for Tommy’s fury, I carry two bowls of chili into the living room. Tommy’s sprawled atop the sagging couch while Patrick sits on the floor in front of him. By the looks of it, they’d switched from the soccer game to some car show Tommy likes.

“Dinner’s ready,” I announce. “I made rice and chili.”

“Food!” Patrick cries leaping up and rushing over to take one of the bowls. “Thanks, Dill—I’m starving! Coach has us running these extra drills every day now during PE.”

“Of course, kiddo,” I say, ruffling his hair. “Can’t have you wasting away on us before you go pro.”

Tommy’s only response is a grunt. He shifts to sit up, holding out a hand without taking his eyes off the screen.

I approach the couch while Patrick returns to his previous spot. “So…” I say hesitantly after Tommy grabs the second bowl and starts shoveling its contents down. “Is it okay if I borrow your car?”

His gaze snaps to me. “What for?”

“I need to run an errand real quick. It won’t take long.”

My pulse pounds as his eyes narrow. He studies me for a long, fraught moment before shrugging and turning back to the TV.“Whatever. Keys are on the rack. If I find so much as a scrape on my truck when you’re done, I’ll kick your ass.”

I try not to sag with relief. “Thanks, Tommy.” I glance at Patrick. “Be right back, Pat.”

The keys are hanging on the wall right where Tommy said they were. Hardly able to believe my luck, I thank whatever fluke of the universe left Tommy in such a good mood, snag the keys, and head out to the garage.

As I approach his battered pick-up truck, I struggle to recall the last time I’d ridden in it. Probably not since Dad left, back when things between us had at least been manageable. The thought leaves a hollow ache in my gut.

I have a hand on the rusty door when I hear footsteps behind me. Tommy’s hard voice slices through my lingering nostalgia. “So, what kind of errands are so important that they can’t wait until the morning?”

My earlier tension returns in force. “I need to do something for a friend.”

“What friend?” he asks a little too casually.

I should’ve just said Cat or Robbie, but nerves make me hesitate.

Tommy takes a step closer, and I catch a whiff of stale beer on his breath. “Don’t lie to me, Dylan. You’re going to see thatfriendof yours, aren’t you?”

Anger sears through me, temporarily drowning out my fear. I cross my arms and square my shoulders, turning fully to face him. “So what if I am?”

Tommy scowls. “I can’t believe you’re going to ditch your family for that spoiled little punk.”

“Ash needs my help!” I protest, hating how defensive I sound. “Besides, why doyoucare? It’s not like you want to be around me anyway.”

Something I can’t quite identify flickers over Tommy’s face. Abruptly, he turns his back on me. “You’re right,” he says, stalking back toward the house. “Idon’tcare.”

The harshbangof the door slamming echoes around me. I take several deep breaths to calm myself before I climb into the truck and start the engine with a rattle. At least, Tommy had left me the keys. I’ll deal with the rest once I get back.