Page 84 of How We End

“He can’t fucking read.”Mason reached for it.

We all sat in the large living area, a fire burning brightly.It was a Christmas tradition to play games, not talk about hockey, and drink.There was ease to everyone.It had taken a day for the stress and chaos of Las Vegas to leave everyone.And just as we were finally relaxed, it would be time to head back.

“I can too.I just can’t see straight.”Tyler closed one eye.

“I need another drink.Anyone else?”Raylee stood.

“I’m good.”Julian was sitting next to me, his arm on the back of the couch.Mason and Hannah were winning, of course.I was learning Hannah didn’t lose at anything.She was the first up.The first to suggest we all go for a run and the first to know some random hockey stat.

“Shit,” Raylee called.“We’re out of beer.”

“Seriously?”Teigen stood up.

“There’s more in the garage.”Tyler held up the card.“Okay, ready.What ad campaign told Americans ‘don’t leave home without it’?”

“There is no beer in the garage.”Raylee came back in.“You all know the rules.Who drank the last one?”

“Wrong.American Express.”Tyler smiled.“And not me.”

Anders turned to Julian.“You know the rules.Last one here.”

“You can’t use that for everything,” Julian complained.

“Yes, I can, and you’re the only one who pussed out and isn’t drinking.”

Julian’s shoulder was bothering him.He hid that from everyone.It had been bad this morning, something about the pressure change.So he took a couple pain pills, which meant no drinking.

“You feel like a road trip into town?”he asked me.

Actually, I did.His friends were great, but they were a lot.Raylee and Teigen liked us girls to do everything together.And Hannah hated I was one of the girls.“Sure.”

“You better change into something warm.It’s cold out,” Teigen said.She was the mother of the group, trying to make sure we all got along.

“She’s right.This is Donner Pass,” Mason said.

“I’ll wear a coat,” I said, following Julian to the door.

“And boots in case you go in the ditch,” Raylee called.“We are all too drunk to come bail you out so you’ll have to walk or wait for a tow truck.”

“Wow, this is sounding more and more dangerous every second.”I slipped on my boots.Julian handed me a hat, gloves, and scarf.

“Better safe than sorry.If we don’t come back, don’t wait up,” Julian said, opening the door.

When we passed the turnoff for town, I turned to him.“Um, you missed the turn.”I twisted in my seat.

“I know.”He turned and winked at me.

“Where are we going?”I looked for any road signs, not that I would know where we were.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Like a you’re-going-to-murder-me-and-leave-my-body-in-the-woods surprise?”Tall trees were on either side of the road, and it would be dark soon.It would be the perfect place to kill someone.

“No.But promise me you won’t be disappointed.”

“Okay?”I sat back, trying to figure out where we were going.Julian turned the car onto a road marked Scenic Lookout.In the empty parking lot was a truck and a horse trailer.

“Ready?”He looked so happy in this moment.So whatever he was about to do, I would enjoy it for him.