Hope joins us, phone clutched tightly in her hand.
“I was heading to the clubhouse to see if one of the guys can go pick Bianca up and saw your lights on,” I explain. “I thought maybe you’d heard…”
“Nothing yet,” Hope says. “Service is bad out there and they won’t want to take chances—”
“I know.”
“You want me to go to the clubhouse with you?” Trinity asks.
“No, it’s okay.”
Outside, an owl hoots and a quick gust of air swirls leaves in a funnel. “That’s not ominous or anything,” I mutter, quickening my steps.
The harsh glow of the floodlights around the clubhouse is a relief. I hurry to the front door. Sparky, Stash, and Swan are hanging out in the living room. A heavy cloud of smoke billows around Sparky.
“Sunshine, do you bring us good news?” Sparky calls out with a bleary smile.
Well, I guess he’s not driving anywhere.
“Carter’s friend is at our house, and I was looking for someone to go pick her up,” I explain as I walk closer. “I don’t have a vehicle up here and—”
“Teller didn’t want you going anywhere,” Stash reminds me. “You’re on lockdown.”
“I can go.” Swan raises her hand even though she’s only a few feet away from me. “I’ve met Bianca before.”
I hate asking her to do something that’s really my responsibility. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
She tips her head toward Sparky and Stash. “I think I’m your only option.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll ride shotgun.” Stash slaps her leg and stands, holding out his hand to pull her off the couch.
“Great.” Swan barely holds back an eye roll. “We’ll be right back, Charlotte.”
Feeling a bit awkward now that it’s just Sparky and me, I stand next to the couch, absently staring at the television but not registering what’s on the screen.
“Pull up a cushion, Sunshine.” Sparky pats the couch. “I’m harmless.”
“I know that.” Fear of Sparky wasn’t stopping me. I force a quick smile. “I’m tired and worried and—”
“Out of sorts?”
“Yes.” I drop onto the couch and sink into the cushion. Tears prickle my eyelids. “I’m so scared. I should’ve done something more to protect him.”
He blows out a slow stream of smoke, then neatly stubs his blunt into an ashtray. “Char, we all know you take good care of your brother. He’s a grown-ass man, though.”
“He’s still my little brother.”
He squeezes his eyes shut. “You and Teller really are a cosmic match. I’m so thankful the universe brought you two together.”
I can’t help chuckling. “Me too.”
“Rock won’t stop ‘til he gets Carter back.” He curves his arms over his head like a giant umbrella. “He’s the glue that keeps us whole. The shelter that protects us.”
“That’s an awfully heavy burden to place on one man.”
Sparky cocks his head like he never considered that. “But it’s his calling. And now he has his peace to recharge him when we drain his batteries.”