Page 102 of Big Dill

“School tour. Grade seven.”

“Wow, that was a long time ago,” I tease, emphasizing our age difference.

“How old do you think I am?” he shoots back laughing

“Are you interested in doing it again? I mean it was forever ago…” He gives me a warning look. “You probably forgot everything.”

“I remember everything,” he assures me and then he frowns slightly, brow bunching. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“All the people at the social,” I say, shaking my head, unable to hold back a smile. “I think I’m going to have to straighten them out.”

One eyebrow arches. “Oh yeah? On what?”

“Honestly, Brody, you’re more than just a picklehead and a pretty face.”

He laughs and squeezes my hand. “Do you want to hear more or not?”

“I do.”

He continues, talking about the history of the station as we wind down the narrow road toward town. I listen closely, absorbing every word, until the quiet is broken by the sharp ping of my phone.

Then another.

And another.

Brody’s phone starts chiming too.

“What the heck?” he mutters.

I dig my phone out of my bag, swipe the screen, and skim the first of what feels like too many messages.

My stomach drops.

I lift my head at the exact same moment Brody does.

When I see the worry etched across his face, I whisper, “Oh, God… no.”

24

Brody

“Call him,” I say, already picking up the pace, my foot pressing harder on the gas pedal, the tires crunching the snow-packed road. I need to get home. I need to know what the hell happened.

I toss my phone onto the seat and Jami nods, fumbling with hers, fingers unsteady as she taps the screen. She puts it on speaker, and suddenly the air between us feels too tight.

It rings once.

Twice.

Three times.

“Shit,” I mutter, convinced it’s about to go to voicemail.

“Hey,” Jaxon says, his voice rough, like he’s been woken up. “Been trying to reach you, sis.”

“Jaxon.” Jami exhales his name, all of it coming out in one rushed, fragile breath. “Are you okay?”

He snorts, a sound meant to be casual, meant to reassure. “Yeah. Stupid accident. Are you with Brody?”