Page 19 of Dark Roads

We both heard the crunch of his tires outside at the same time. She flew to the front door, and I bolted down the hall. I hadn’t made it into my bedroom when I heard the door open.

“Vaughn, I was getting worried!”

“Sorry, babe. Long call. Meant to text you, but…”

“It’s okay. Hungry? I made pork chops.”

“Sounds great. Let me grab a quick shower first.”

“I’ve left it on the counter. I have to run to the store for milk.”

“Cash asleep?”

“Yeah. Hailey must have gone to bed too. She was here a minute ago.”

“Drive carefully. Lots of deer on the road.” A long pause during which I guessed they were embracing. I slipped into my room and quietly closed the door behind me.

The garage door opened, and her car drove off. The TV went on in the living room. Sounded like sports. Maybe hockey. Something with loud cheering. I stared at my doorknob.

Footsteps came down the hall. I tensed, but they didn’t slow. The back door creaked. I went to the window, lifted the edgeof the curtain, and peeked out. Vaughn was unlocking the shed door. A light flicked on in the shed, a soft glow, probably the desk lamp. I watched until the light went off a few minutes later, then I dropped the curtain, hurried over to the bed, and listened as the back door opened. Footsteps going to the master bedroom, water running. Finally.

I leaned back against my pillow with the iPad balanced on my rib cage. Good. He had no idea I had been inside his office. I sent a message to Jonny through Facebook, then tapped the albums. I’d saved some photos of Amber there—in case Vaughn ever took away my devices.

Wait. Footsteps. Coming closer. I sat up. A sharp knock on my door, and then it opened. Vaughn stood there. I pulled my legs against my chest, turned the iPad screen away. His face was a blank mask as he leaned against the doorframe, thumb loosely hooked in his pocket.

“How about you come out and watch a movie with me and Lana?”

“Um, no, thanks… I’m watching videos.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just tired.”

He came into the room, glancing around in a way that made my stomach clench. He sat on the bed by my feet, the mattress sagging under his weight. “You sure? Anything you want to get off your mind?” He was holding my gaze. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or if it was his creepy way of telling me that he knew I’d been in his office.

“I’m fine.” I shrugged. “Still dealing with everything, I guess.”

“Well, if you want to go fishing one day, I can take some time off.”

“No, thanks. It wouldn’t be the same without my dad. Hewas the best.” It was a blow, but Vaughn didn’t take the bait, and only narrowed his eyes slightly.

“We appreciate everything you’ve been doing with Cash. He says you’ve been taking him to the water park every day. I’m sure it’s boring for you.”

Was he getting suspicious? He was being so nice all of a sudden. It felt like he was leading up to something, but I didn’t know what.

“I like watching him having fun.”

He noticed me fiddling with my iPad. “What have you got there?”

“I was going through some photos.”

“Yeah?” He grabbed it out of my hands before I could stop him and began scrolling through my Facebook album. “You have a good eye.”

“Give it back.”

He just held it high, out of my reach. My cheeks burned. Amber had sent me selfies—in bed, her hair draped over a pillow, eyes sleepy. I’d sent one back, standing in the bathroom mirror, bikini, dim lighting, my back arched. She’d replied with a row of hearts and flames.

He shook me free of his arm. “This is dangerous, you know. Someone could hack in, next thing you know your photos are all over the internet. Doesn’t matter if you take them down. There’ll be a thousand screenshots.”