Page 49 of Haze of Obedience

9

Dirk

There aretimes when you know that you just got it wrong and my gut drops so fast I could be on a rollercoaster.

Zoe grew up on a farm?

How did I not know that?

Our previous conversation replays in my mind, and I cringe. But I'm not sure how I could have missed that. Every notification that pops up on my social media feeds regarding her I read and mostly, more than once. I spin and follow her. "Wait. I read an article several years ago that your manager discovered you in Mexico City. You had been singing in the bars since you were fourteen."

"That's correct."

"Mexico City is a cosmopolitan megalopolis. I've been there."

She steps out of the water, glowing in the moonlight. Water drips down her curves, and I want to reach out and pull her in my arms, but she looks pissed. Instead, I rifle quickly through my bag and find the towel and hand it to her.

Her eyes scan over me, but then she says, "Stare much?"

I don't take my eyes off her. "Dry off before the bugs bite you."

She takes the towel and dries herself off, then throws it at me.

"Are you going to tell me what I'm missing?"

"Nope." She pulls her shorts up.

Great. I dry off, throw the towel on a tree limb to air out, and put my clothes on.

She takes a few steps and turns her back to me.

I step behind her and circle my arms on her waist then murmur near her ear, "Are you going to be mad at me all night?"

She shrugs.

"How did you grow up on a farm if you were in Mexico City? I don't remember any berry farms when I went."

"I ran away when I was fourteen."

She...?

I spin her into me. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't want to discuss this." She shoves out of my arms and walks toward the treeline. She asks, "What are we doing now?"

"Zoe, if I—"

"Please tell me what we are doing now."

I sigh. "We should start a fire. I'll find some kindling."

She bends and picks up sticks.

"I'll do it."

"Whatever," she mumbles and continues to collect items.

I scout deeper into the woods and find some bigger pieces and take them over to the pile.