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He glances back at Beck, who’s pointing out the window for Tyler’s benefit.
Sebastian envies him.
Beck is comfortable living his life the way he wants, with whomever he wants. A luxury my brother doesn’t think he can afford.
Compassion for my brother floods in around the other emotions filling my chest as I refocus on the road.
Tyler leans forward. “We just passed the Mojave National Preserve. Annie and I would love to hike it sometime. When’s the best time of year to go?”
“I have no idea.”
“Really? Rae was talking to Annie about it.”
“We should go hiking.” Raegan’s words from months ago come back to me.
“Which suit do I wear for that?”
“Next weekend.” She checked her calendar. “I’m playing Saturday but off Sunday. Wait, no, Monday.”
“I’m flying to Paris. I’ll be back Wednesday.”
In the months we’ve been here, we've flown to other cities and countries but never explored the area were in.
“I can’t give her normal. It’s the only thing I can’t.”
“Is this even a road?” my brother asks as we turn down a side route with signs for Clark Mountain.
There’s no traffic. Just desert, cacti, and scrubby plants.
“It had a sign.”
“Sign means nothing,” Beck decides. “There’s been a sign my neighbor’s house is going up for sale for the last six months. So far, nada. But this place is primo. Totally worth waiting for…”
I tune him out.
At the coordinates, I pull toward the side of the road, hitting a particularly nasty bump along the way.
It’s nearly sunset and there are no vehicles for miles.
I grab my phone to call the jeweler to see if by some miracle the vehicle arrived and we can all go back to the city.
Cannot connect to network.
“Mine cut out miles ago.” Beck shrugs and hops out of the car.
“Let’s keep going.” We must be close.
“Not happening, amigo.” Beck nods to the ground. “We got a flat.”
Fuck.
“Don’t tell me you dragged us out to the middle of nowhere expecting to stumble on a big truck labeled ‘MISSING JEWELRY.’” Beck cocks his head.
I shove open the car door and get out, rounding to inspect the tire. Sure enough, the rim kisses the dirt.
I cross to a pile of rocks and kick it. A stone dislodges from the top, rolling down to land on the dust.
Tyler retrieves something that’s fallen on the ground. “Harry, you dropped…What is this?”
