Page 69 of Dotted Lines (Runaway 5)

So far, the road hadn’t been too crowded, likely because it was midmorning on a weekday.

August was playing his Nintendo, something that must be a treat because his eyes had gone wide when Clara had handed it to him. I suspected that Gus had been given a lot more video game time on this trip simply so the adults could talk without interruption.

“I think a part of me wants to go back just to remind myself of how far I’ve come,” she said. “Or to remind myself that I won’t ever have to go back.”

“I felt the same when I moved to Temecula. It took me weeks to work up the nerve to drive to that side of town and when I did, it was at night. I parked outside the gate and just stared inside. Told myself I never had to survive those kinds of days again. So I get it.”

She looked over again and smiled. “I know. Aria told me that if there was any time to go, it would be with you. She didn’t want me going alone.”

“Truth? That’s why I’ve been avoiding this meeting. It was hard enough going back when Lou was there. Since he died, I only went once. And that was after his lawyer told me about his will. I drove up, left the car running, went to the gate and put a new padlock on the chain. Didn’t even go in.”

“So no one has been there in years?”

“No.” I sighed. “I pay the electric bill every month. That’s it.”

“You said you went into his shack. Did you ever go look through the yard?”

I squirmed in my seat, not wanting to admit this was a weakness. That a place full of rusted cars and metal parts had so far gotten the better of me. “Couldn’t do it.”

“Then we’ll go together.”

Was that why I’d never gone back? Because I’d been waiting for Clara to come with me?

She looked beautiful this morning. Her blond hair was pulled back into a braid that hung down her spine. The sheer cream blouse she wore was embroidered with lacey flowers. Beneath, a silky camisole clung to her frame. With a pair of jean shorts, she looked casual. Comfortable. Sexy.

I hated how the last word popped into my head with one glance at her toned legs. I hated how she’d walked out of the hotel lobby this morning and my heart had stopped. I hated that what I wanted most was to take her hand just to see if her fingers still fit between mine like they had when we were younger.

I hated myself for the thoughts running through my mind.

How fucked up was it that Holly had been the one to suggest this trip? While she was at work today, I’d been struggling to keep my mind off Clara.

Good thing was, the junkyard would be a distraction. Just setting foot in Temecula was sure to be strange for Clara again. Hell, it was still strange for me and I’d lived there as an adult.

Clara’s phone rang in the purse at her feet. She bent to pluck the phone out and smiled at the screen. Then she held it up for me to see.

Londyn.

“Want to say hi?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

Clara hit the screen, putting it on speaker, then held it up between us and let me answer.

“Hey, Lonny.”

“Oh my God.” She gasped at my voice. “Karson?”

My heart twisted. “It’s me.”

“It’s you. I can’t believe it.” Her voice trembled. “Clara? Are you there too?”

“I’m here.” She smiled, shifting sideways. “We’re in the Cadillac. Karson is driving us to Temecula.”

“Temecula? I thought you were going home today. I was calling to get the full scoop on Karson.”

“Little change of vacation plans,” Clara said. “First Temecula. Then we’ll go home. Want me to call you later?”

“No way. I can’t wait that long. It’s been torture for the past two days. Tell me everything about Karson.”