Page 54 - My FlipBook

L IS A J. L A W R E N C E

on the shoulder of the road before jerking back. Rebus’s rear
swayed, searching for traction, and then gripped the road
again. They shot forward. Greta stopped breathing at all,
everything moving in slow motion.
The whole car trembled, ripping past other vehicles.
“Pull over, now!” Nate shouted.
Ash snapped his head to the side to look at him, as if he
suddenly remembered Nate was there. Their speed faltered.

“This is my car, and I want you to pull over!” Pink blotches
covered Nate’s paste-white face. He pointed to a roadside
turnout ahead. “Right here! You hear me?”
Ash pursed his lips, cocked his head to the side and
gunned it. The vibration swallowed every other sound as
they sped toward the turnout. He took the exit fast and
jammed his foot on the brake. The world swirled around ADVANCE READING COPY

them, beautiful.
This is how I die.
On Rebus’s bald tires, the car ripped in a circle and a
half before coming to a stop. They all sucked in a collective
breath, now facing the highway they’d just left. Greta hugged
the back of Nate’s seat, her cheek pressed against the head-
rest. The gearshift clunked as Ash shifted it into Park. He
turned the key toward him. Rebus shuddered and fell silent.
The only sound was Nate panting like a dog.

Ash closed his eyes and swallowed. He pulled the key
from the ignition and offered it to Nate, his hand trembling.
“I’m sorry.”
Nate paused, then snatched the key away.

44