Page 38 of Fireworks

The disappointment of my inability to help her was clear on her face.

“You know your brother; he would rather be buried alive than rat out Nathan. I just know you two spent some time together this summer, so maybe he said something to you. A mother’s mind runs wild with the worst-case scenario. At least I know he didn’t go off and join the military like his father.”

She lets out a huff of relief as my face drained of all color.

Shit.

I knew what he was doing.

“Katie?”

Her voice turned serious. I knew there was no way of hiding what my face had already told her.

“What did you just think of? I promise I won’t be mad at you.”

I debate lying for a minute, knowing the absolute shit show that would ensue if I told her.

“I don’t, it’s not my place, Mrs. King. You should just talk to him again.”

She placed her hands over mine, squeezing gently. Her eyes softened as she looked over at me, pleading silently.

“Please dear. I know he would confide in you before he ever talked to me. I just want to know he’s safe.”

There was no way that I’ll be able to leave this car without telling her. I knew she worried about him constantly. He was her only child, and all she had left in this life. Asher and I may be like children to her too, but it wasn’t the same. I mentally apologize as I open my mouth. My throat feeling like the Sahara Desert as the words tried to form.

“I don’t know for sure. He mentioned something over the summer around my birthday, but he didn’t come out and say he was doing what I suspected. I don’t even know if he was just saying it to get a rise out of me. He mentioned flying.”

Her hands went limp over mine as I saw her vulnerable for the first time since her husband’s funeral. It took a few minutes before she spoke again.

“Thank you, Katie. I appreciate you being honest with me.”

Walking inside, the waves of guilt kept washing over me. I didn’t even know if he was flying a plane. The way he talked about flying, I was pretty sure he was doing something. I sat outside on the porch swing, too afraid to join everyone else inside.

It was Christmas. Maybe she wouldn’t say anything to him today. The front door slammed shut next to me as Nate rushed down the front steps, turning as he got to the bottom.

“Thanks a whole fucking lot.”

It was obvious that his mom must have confronted him, but why did he need to blame me? I was sure Asher knew just as much as I did.

“Why am I the first one you blame?”

It pissed me off that he thought he could just automatically blame me for all his problems. Walking back up to the top of the porch, he got closer to me, his hands in fists as his chest rose and dropped. His voice lowered as he spoke through gritted teeth.

“Because you’re the only fucking one who knew what I was doing. Merry fucking Christmas Katie.”

Storming back down the steps, he got into his truck, slamming the door before speeding off down the street.

Shit.

What the hell did I just do?