Cole glances over at me, eyes dark. He says nothing but shakes his head. I continue. “I don’t just mean when I was a kid. I was scared even when I was older—like up to when we left the house. I always had some kind of light on in the house but even then, once I got into bed I wouldn’t get up. I was terrified of something under my bed or lurking just out of sight in the darkness. One time we went camping for Girl Scouts and I cried until my mom let me sleep in the car.”
Without looking over, Cole finally speaks. “I find that hard to believe.”
“I was un-athletic. I played video games and spent most of my time on the computer or with my nose in a book. I wanted straight A’s and desperately to be valedictorian. Everything about me was the opposite of what I am today.” I shake my head at myself. “I was such a nerd.”
“But you’re here.”
“I am. I’m no longer afraid of the dark. In fact, I find it sort of comforting.” I turn to face him. I’m not prepared for what he says next.
“Thank you for taking care of Chloe.”
I stare at him for a second. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I had to do it.”
“I know. She gave you no choice, but you…you gave me one by not making me do it. I owe you for that.”
“We don’t owe each other anything, Cole. We’re both just survivors out here.”
We settle into quiet. I have a million things I want to ask him; about himself or about the EVI-3 still running in my veins. The questions are on the tip of my tongue when I feel him watching me.
“What?” I ask.
“Is he good to you?”
He. Wyatt.
Just his name kicks my heart into gear and I feel my cheeks flush with heat. Cole doesn’t need to see my face to know these things. Even in the dark his senses, which are much stronger than mine, pick up on it but I answer him anyway. “Yes. I know he can be difficult to work with sometimes but—”
He holds up his hand. “Don’t. I just wanted to be sure, because you deserve the best.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be. Like I said, you deserve the best and that’s not me right now.” I touch his shoulder. He tenses. “But I’m trying.”
“Good. We don’t give up on each other out here. We can’t afford to.”
He opens his mouth to speak but whatever he was going to say he keeps to himself. An owl hoots in the distance and we pause, both listening for danger. For once, it doesn’t come.
Chapter Fourteen
We roll into Winston-Salem the next afternoon, parking the Camaro at the edge of the city. Cole and Paul don’t come into town with us. It’s too risky and although they haven’t given specifics it seems they’ve got their own mission.
We parted about thirty miles out and I took Paul to the side. “You guys be careful, okay? I doubt Walker is far behind.”
“Okay, mom.” He made a face but it was kind. Paul actually knew my mom and it’s always nice to have someone else who remembered her. “Hamilton may be unhinged but he’s right about the Hybrids.”
“So you’re going to track them?”
“Just trying to assess the situation with them and the other Mutts.”
“Yeah, I reiterate: be careful.” I glanced over at Cole, who was tinkering on his motorcycle with Jude’s help. “And take care of him. You’re right. I think he’s doing better but he’s got a ways to go yet.”
Paul searched my face. “How are you doing? Any side effects from the EVI-3? Jude says he still gets a kick from the juice here and there.”
“Yeah, a little. Nothing we can’t disguise and nothing I think that will stick around long term.” I frowned. “I guess that’s the downside of experimental medicine.”
“You guys use discretion. Don’t let anyone know.”
“We won’t.”