Page 107 of Hard Rain

“We’re…still looking,” he called, hoping Knox would keep walking.

“For what?” Knox asked from right beside them.

Axel answered before Whip could.

“Condoms.”

Heat climbed up the back of Whip’s neck.

Silence.

Oh man, here it comes…

Knox blinked.

“…Oh.”

He looked at the shelf.

Then at Axel.

Then shrugged.

“These are good ones.” Knox plucked a box from the shelf and handed it to him before heading toward the checkout.

Whip stared after him.

“That’s it?”

Axel set the box in the basket.

“What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know!” Whip said, keeping his voice low.

Beth walked past carrying bottled water and trail mix.

“You boys ready?”

“Yup,” Axel said.

He pushed the basket toward the checkout.

Whip choked back a laugh.

Apparently, they were buying condoms.

The elevator doors opened onto the twelfth floor.

Whip followed Boone down the hallway while Knox tried balancing a bottled soda, a bag of beef jerky, trail mix, chips, and what looked suspiciously like three candy bars under one arm.

“How’re you still hungry?” Beth asked.

“I plan ahead.”

“For what?”

“Being hungry later.”