Page 34 of Dotted Lines (Runaway 5)

Before she could say anything else, I disappeared, rushing for the shop. The smell of grease and gasoline made me gag, but I locked myself in the bathroom and cranked the shower on hot. Then as steam flooded the room, I faced the mirror.

Yep. Swollen lips.

A laugh escaped as I leaned closer, taking them in. Karson had kissed me. I had kissed him. We’d had a full-on make-out session on the Cadillac. Londyn’s Cadillac.

Would she hate me for it? Would she hate me for loving Karson? A wave of guilt swept over my shoulders, but I shook it away.

“She’ll never know,” I whispered, then went for my toothbrush, scrubbing my mouth until all I tasted was mint.

The mirror began to fog so I stripped off yesterday’s clothes and stepped into the shower stall. I lingered, soaking in the warmth and letting it chase away the hangover. At least . . . I assumed it was a hangover. By the time I stepped out, my headache wasn’t as bad and my mind was clear.

I’d need a clear head. Because I’d bolted on Karson and we had to talk about the kissing.

Would he want to do it again? Or would he say it was a mistake? I was fairly certain I’d die if he told me I was a mistake.

We only had two days left until our birthday. They’d be the longest two days of my life if Karson rejected me now.

Aria was dressed and eating a rice cake when I returned to the truck. She was sitting on the end, kicking her legs.

“I tried beer,” I blurted, climbing inside. I put my soap and shampoo away, then hung up my towel. Then I sat beside her and let my head rest on her shoulder. “Beer is really bad.”

She laughed. “Where’d you get beer?”

“Karson. Some guy at his work bought him a six-pack.”

“Ahh.” She nodded. “Was that why you fell asleep in the tent?”

“Yeah.” I sighed, holding back the rest of the story. I wasn’t ready to admit my feelings. I wasn’t ready to admit that I’d betrayed Londyn by falling in love with her boyfriend—ex-boyfriend.

“I thought maybe you and Karson . . .”

“Huh?” My heart dropped as I feigned confusion.

“Do you like him?”

“We’re friends.” I sat up straight. Not a complete lie. Then I stood and walked to the truck’s wall, picking up the dry-erase marker to write today’s number.

Two.

Only two days left and I’d say goodbye to Karson. Kiss or not, we were going our separate ways. Maybe his kiss had been a farewell.

“What time do you want to head in for work?” I asked after swallowing the lump in my throat.

“About an hour. But you don’t have to come with me. I doubt Karson’s mother wants anything to do with us. I think she was just looking for him.”

“Y

eah.” We’d explained that much to Karson, but he still insisted on escorting us into town.

“I’m actually going to head out when he’s not looking.” She smirked. “See you later.”

“Be careful.” Before she could jump down, I went and wrapped my arms around her. “Love you.”

“Love you too. Enjoy your day off. Will you—”

“Water your plants? Of course.”

She snatched her empty backpack, then jumped down and scanned the plant buckets that surrounded the truck. The happy smile on her face disappeared as she took in the flowers and green leaves.