Page 112 of Only the Hunter

Me

I’m not in trouble. I’ll call you soon.

I turn my phone into airplane mode before he can respond. I’m probably being too defensive. But I can’t help it. I’ve been battling my overbearing father for as long as I can remember.

We take off without issue, and Gabe and I both remove our laptops. He shifts away from the person seated on his far side, which gives me a partial view of his screen.

The flight attendant passes by with the drink cart. I order tea—oolong—and return to my laptop, reviewing the IG complaint draft for the third time.

Scott’s name on Gabe’s screen catches my eye.

I glance at Gabe. He’s awake, headphones on, but I can tell by the way his gaze shifts that even airborne he’s monitoring. His fingers tap away on the keys—engaged in a chat session via a message app.

Scott

U there?

Gabe

Y. Hey.

Scott

What the hell is going on? Dad called. Said Evie’s on leave and you went to Switzerland with her.

What the hell? Dad called Scott? Were his questions to me a test?

Gabe types out a response and I watch closely. He has to know I can read what’s on his screen.

Gabe

She’s good. She’s safe.

Scott

What’s going on?

Gabe

You need to ask her.

That’s actually a good response. I bet Scott is having trouble wrapping his head around that notion.

Scott

She wouldn’t tell Dad what’s going on. Are you fucking my sister?

My eyelids close, wishing I hadn’t seen that. Of course my brother would phrase it like that. Boys will be boys. I can hear Dad now.

Heat floods my face—not embarrassment, exactly. Something closer to violation. Like my private life has been dragged into fluorescent light.

Gabe

We’re here on business.

Scott

Dude. You’re not a lawyer. Try again.