Page 116 of Johnny

She said, “There is a plan inside you. Maybe it’s not a spreadsheet with ticked-off boxes, maybe

it’s something else? Something pre-planned or predetermined. Maybe… it’s just destiny?”

I guess I could deal with the destiny part. That implies a grand scheme beyond our world.

Something divine. Something maybe even sacred.

Because the other two—pre-planned or predetermined—those imply another kind of master plan.

Something engineered on this plane of existence by flesh-and-blood people.

And that? No. That I will not be a part of. Not anymore. I’m done.

I lie awake for hours just staring up at the ceiling, my thumb caressing small circles on the muscle

of Megan’s upper arm.

I like her. I do. I wish I could know her better. I wish we’d met under different circumstances. I

wish we were different people.

But we’re not.

Maybe I doze a little during the night, but if so, it’s a fitful kind of sleep filled with bad, half-real

dreams that feel a little too much like premonitions to allow for any actual rest. My eyes are tired the

minute I open them and I squint at the hint of sun trying to steal its way through the cabaña window.

“Good morning,” Megan says.

I turn my head and look at her in the hazy dawn light. Blonde hair messily falling across one eye.

Crooked lips slightly upturned into an almost smile. White sheet pulled up to her breasts and bare

shoulders, reminding me she’s naked under that cover.

Her eyes are bright, like she’s ready for a new day, and mine feel like someone rubbed sandpaper

over them when I wasn’t looking.

“Did you sleep well?” she asks.

“Sure,” I lie. “What time is it?” Then look around for a clock I know isn’t here.

“Not sure, exactly. Maybe five-thirty?”

“Shit,” I say, swinging my legs out of bed. “We gotta go.” I stand up and walk out of the room. It

would’ve been nice to spend more time in bed with her, but… business. It always comes first.

I fish my phone out of yesterday’s jeans on the floor and bring up Logan’s contact. Press call.

He picks up on the first ring. “I was just about to call you. We’re ready when you are.”

“On my way. See you in about thirty minutes.”

“Perfect,” he says, then ends the call.