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“Great. Text me your address. I’ll come get you.”
As soon as I ended the call, I texted Gabe my address. I got dressed and sat on the barely-there balcony that overlooked the parking lot. What a view. If I were in Florida right now, I’d be night swimming with my best friend, Carla, amongst the peaceful chirping of crickets. We’d be belting out Backstreet Boys lyrics, or quoting lines from Gilmore Girls, and we’d definitely be discussing the details of Carla’s unplanned future wedding to her boyfriend.
Carla had always been there for me … until I couldn’t allow her to be. I disappeared without a call, text, or explanation. For all Carla knows, I was abducted by aliens. Every night, I wished I could call her, even just to let her know I’m okay. I couldn’t make a careless mistake though. No one could know where I was. It was safer this way.
Life was so different here. The houses on Staten Island were all crammed on top of each other, without any land or space to separate people from their neighbors. Rap music, wailing sirens, and beeping horns could be heard at all hours of the night. Worst part? I was alone. Sure, I had Mallory, but our friendship was new, and our talks were mostly school-related. I didn’t even know if she watched Gilmore Girls.
When Gabe arrived, I pushed the memories from my mind with practiced ease and put on a smile. I live here now, and I have to get used to it.
Gabe’s light brown hair was neatly styled, and his boyish grin spread across his face when he saw me. He wore khaki-colored cargo shorts and a yellow T-shirt. His arms were not as muscular as Tanner’s, but he was lean and toned nonetheless. Why are you comparing him to Tanner, you idiot? I shook my head, as if that would knock him out of my brain like a coconut from a tree. He shouldn’t be in there, no matter how good he looked without a shirt on. Don’t think of him shirtless! Bad, Charlotte. Bad.
“Are you ready for your tour, miss?” Gabe walked to the passenger door of his black Jeep and swung it open.
“Yes, sir.”
“Please remember to keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times, and whatever you do—don’t feed the animals.”
I giggled as I climbed inside.
“Our first stop is the Woodrow Diner. I ordered us cheeseburgers with fries, to go. I figured we could eat in here while we drive around. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure. Dinner and a show. I can give you the money for my burger.” I rummaged through my purse for my wallet.
Gabe took my purse and placed it on the floor by my feet. “Stop. It’s my treat.”
“Oh.” Was this a date? “Thank you.”
“So, how did you break your wrist?”
“I fell. I was at my dad’s bakery. There was some flour on the floor and it was slippery. I landed on my arm, and boom. Broken.” I’d rehearsed the lie enough times that it sounded natural when it came out. I hated lying, but it’s not like I could admit what really happened.
“Ouch. When do you get it off?”
“Next week. I can’t wait.”
“I broke my ankle playing soccer when I was a kid. Hurt so bad.”
I cringed remembering the pain I’d experienced when Tommy snapped my bone in his bare hands. The memory of the sickening crunch sounded in my ears, turning my stomach.
“Where are you from?”
“Florida.”
“Do you miss it?”
“I miss my friends and my pool. I miss seeing the palm trees everywhere. I miss the familiarity of it all.”
“In time, this will feel like home, too.”
I sure hope so.
After Gabe picked up our food, we ate while he drove us to our next destination. He pointed out random, meaningless places along the way, and I pretended to be interested. Then, he turned the Jeep down a narrow road with trees on either side of us. I did not know such a heavily wooded place existed within the city streets. I would’ve thought it was beautiful if I wasn’t so leery about where he was taking me. I glanced at my purse down by my feet, wondering how quickly I could grab the pepper spray if I needed to.
“I know it looks like I’m taking you down here to kill you,” he said, as if reading my mind. “But I promise I’m not.”
“What is this place?”
The road we were on opened into a giant parking lot. There were several paths surrounding the parked cars; people were jogging, riding bikes, and walking dogs. The setting sun made for a beautiful backdrop against the thick trees.
