Page 87 of The Exit Strategy

“I’m not the same little girl with a stupid crush anymore, Nolan.”

His expression softens. “You may believe that, Junebug. But no one else does.”

“I don’t want to talk about Cole.”

“You never did.”

“Because there’s nothing to talk about.”

“Keep lying to yourself, little sister. At one point, he was the most important person in your life. How is it now, being here?”

“Why? Why are you asking this now when you all but had me dragged here? You didn’t care how I felt about it then.”

“I’ve always cared. Jesus, Junie.” He wipes his palms on his thighs. I haven’t seen him do it since he was in med school. “I don’t want to fight with you. I just want you to know that I understand that Cole was just as important toyou as he was to me. And I understand that being here when it wasn’t your choice might be hard, but I also get you. And when your dream plan went up in flames, you would’ve self-destructed if you didn’t get the hell out of Boston. That made here, with Cole, the best place for you. Regardless of what his actions may say, he cares about you and always has.”

I frown at my brother.

What does he know that I don’t?

“How are you doing?” God, when did my brother turn into such a gossipy old lady? “And don’t you dare tell me you’re fine. Grace and numb-nuts hurt you, and you never let people in.”

“That’s not true. I’ve already replaced her. I hardly even think about her anymore.”

“Junie.”

“Fine, I only think about shipping them a broken container of fire ants 600 times a day. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Closer. I’m sorry they did this to you. I’m sorry that you were hurt by their actions.”

I shrug and stare out my window. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Fen has a plan. She’s overplaying her hand and documenting it. When she goes far enough, we’ll have everything we need. I just have to get through the fire and wait for the smoke to clear.”

“And you’re not engaging?”

“I’m not engaging.”

He’s quiet again. A minute passes.

“You know.” There’s that tone of his again. The one that warns me to be ready to run. “If you ever—I just mean—have you met Bea?”

I scowl at him. “You can’t live here and not have a personal relationship with everyone.”

He chuckles. “True. Well, her front porch is a great place to land. You know, if you ever need…anything. Especially Wednesdays at three.”

“Her…porch?”

“Trust me. Now, what’s going on with Cole?”

My heart rate sprints toward a finish line I can’t see. “N-nothing. Why would you ask that?”

Nolan’s brows raise as a million questions flicker across his gaze. I’m exposed in a way your brother shouldn’t see you. What would he say if he knew Cole and I kissed?

“I mean, what’s going on with The Haven? Is he in some kind of trouble?”

Relief makes me look guiltier even as I try to keep my spine straight.

“It’s getting there. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Cole understands the scope of the issue and is trusting me to help him.”

Another nod. Another minute.