Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Okay, this guy is sitting way too close to me. I can’t wait to get off this stupid bus. I’m exhausted, and my heart aches, thinking about Lawson waking up without me next to him. Knowing he’ll hate me. Knowing how angry he’s going to be.
I hope he doesn’t take it out on Nash, but I know I’m being naïve. He’s going to hate him for a while too, but I have to believe Lawson will forgive him.
When the bus comes to a stop, I climb out and get my luggage before looking around, trying to decide if I should stay here for a few nights or if I should head to my next destination. I need to get as far away as I can, but I need to find a way to make some money too.
I’m sure Colin has some sort of tracker on everything. It’s why I didn’t take my cell phone or my car. It would be too easy for him to find me. And he can never find me.
“Rae?”
My pulse jolts, and my skin prickles with awareness when I hear my name coming from behind me. I barely turn around before Lawson is pulling me into his big arms.
No.
But yes.
I sob into his chest, feeling his warmth. Wanting him to be here so badly, but also wanting him safe. I look up at him. “What are you doing here?”
“Me?” Okay, he’s pissed. “What am I doing here? What the fuck are you doing taking off in the middle of the night alone? That’s not how this works.”
“Law—”
He cuts me off, “No. I’m fucking pissed, but I’m so glad you’re okay. I don’t know what to say.”
I can see the hurt in his eyes, and I hate that I made him feel this way. “I’m sorry.”
He releases me and turns to Nash, who’s right behind him. “You can go now.”
“I’ll take you guys somewhere you can get some rest.” Nash doesn’t back down, no matter how pissed Lawson looks.
“Fine. I guess you owe me that.”
Nash doesn’t say anything, giving me a sympathetic nod before taking my bag from my shoulder. We all walk out to Nash’s truck in silence, and once again, I’m numb. I felt that way on the bus, but this is different.
I had no idea what I was going to do without Lawson, but I at least could let myself believe he could have a semi-normal life. That my leaving would be good for him. But now, he’s here, and I know he isn’t letting me out of his sight.
And we’re both doomed.
Nash drives us to a little motel on the edge of town and goes into the front office while I stay with Lawson in the truck. He won’t talk to me or even look at me, and I’m not certain, in this moment, if he’ll ever forgive me.
Yet, he’s still here.
Probably because he feels obligated. That’s Lawson. Wanting to save the world and not realizing that about himself.
Nash comes back and hands Lawson a key card as we climb out and join him. “You’re here for a night. Then you should probably get to a new location.”
Lawson grabs our bags and focuses on Nash. “Thank you.”
“I know you’re pissed. But you’re going to have to let it go. You’ll need each other more than ever now.”
Lawson’s angry look doesn’t change. “You can go now.” Nash ignores his pissy attitude and brings him in for a hug that, after a moment of being stubborn, Law finally returns. “Thank you, big brother.”
Nash releases him. “Stick together. Pay in cash for everything. Only call if you absolutely need me and use a burner phone that can’t be traced back to you.”
Lawson nods. “And how will you get messages to us?”
Nash shakes his head. “I can’t. You threw your phone out. I’ll have to wait until you call. But do not call me unless you have to.”
Lawson nods, taking in the information, and it feels like we’re criminals on the run. Which, if Colin decides to bring his cop friends in on this, I suppose that’s what the world will see. “Thank you, Nash.”
I thank him too, and we wave quickly as he hops in his truck and drives away. Lawson carries our bags into the hotel room as I follow. It has one bed and an old, wooden floor. Everything is dusty, and it doesn’t seem like anyone has stayed here in a long time. But it’s a bed for the night.
Safety.
I take a seat on the bed as Lawson looks out the window and runs his fingers through his hair, making me yearn for him. Not just his touch but also his words. His comfort. Something.
But he’s pissed, and I know I need to let him be.
Soon he turns to me, anger still in his eyes and his mouth in a stern line. “I’m going to walk to the store that’s down the street. Lock the door with the chain and the bolt. I’ll be back soon.”
I stand up from the bed and start to walk toward him, but his expression makes me halt and stay where I am. “I could go with you.”
He shakes his head. “No. If they’ve issued a missing persons alert, it won’t be good for us to be seen together.” He pulls his hood on over his head, the green making his eyes pop. “I’ll be right back.”
I nod my head in agreement even though my entire being wants to argue. He leaves, and I sit there alone. Even though I’ve been alone most of my life, I’ve never felt this empty.
I think about Tammy and Tanner, knowing Tammy will be pissed when she finds out we’re gone. And even Nash, who most of the time didn’t want me around but still had a comforting presence.
And Law.
God, did I break him? Will he ever smile at me again?He’s pissed. And colder than I’ve ever seen him. It started before I left him in bed at that lake house.
Does he see me differently after what Colin did?
I’m going crazy with worry when he finally comes back, bags in hand as he glares at me. “You didn’t put the chain lock on the door.”
I look at the door and at the flimsy-looking chain and then back at Law, whose nostrils flare with anger. “I’m sorry. I forgot.”
“We’re on the run, Rae. You can’t forget.”
I nod, not wanting to argue. My entire body and mind are exhausted. “Okay.”
He slides the lock into place and then places the bags on the bed, pulling out a box and handing it to me. I look at it, seeing it’s a dark hair dye. “What’s this for?”
“We need to change our appearance before we travel again.” He pulls out a cheap looking pair of hair clippers, and I stare at him in horror.
“Your hair?”
His eyes flick to mine. “It’s just hair.”
I love his hair. It’s stupid, and I know he’s right, but I love running my fingers through his thick locks. He nods to the box in my hand.
“Go.”
“I . . .” I look up at him helplessly. “Do we have to?”
He sighs heavily and grabs the clippers, plugging them in near a big, worn mirror on the wall. “Yes. Go, Rae.”
I start toward the bathroom, but he stops me. “Wait.” I turn around and see he’s holding scissors in his hand. “Maybe you should cut it first.”
“Cut m-my hair?” My hand absently goes through my blond waves, tears threatening to spill. It’s stupid. I know I’m being stupid. But my hair? It’s nearly to the middle of my back and a pretty blond color I’ve always liked.
Different from my mom’s auburn hair.
“I-I . . .” Am being stupid.
I give a shaky nod as he walks over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. His expression is unreadable, but it doesn’t seem as angry. “Do you want me to do it?”
I nod again, giving him permission. I turn away from him as he gathers my hair, and I hear the sound of the scissors cutting through the strands before turning and seeing my hair in his hand. He hands me the scissors.
“In case you want to fix it up. I’m not a hair stylist.”
I take the scissors and nod as I silently walk into the bathroom. I stare into the mirror at my now shoulder-length hair. Hating everything.
What if all of this was a huge mistake?
