Page 39 of No Mistakes

I roll my eyes. I’m in no mood for his humour right now. Not until I find out what he said, to make Eva laugh.

“Alright, no war jokes. Gotcha.” Gunnar holds his hands up, sliding into the passenger seat like this it’s his regular ride.

I grit my teeth, stalking around to the driver's side. The second I sit, the front door swings open again.

Carter and Ant emerge, arms full of the rest of the gear that stayed in the basement, their expressions set to stone. Carter glances towards the second SUV before looking back towards me. I lower the window as they approach, giving them a short nod, confirming that it’s their vehicle. Ant nods back, his jaw locked.

Once all the doors shut, Carter reaches out of his window and knocks twice on the roof, indicating that we’re good to go, and I grip the wheel tight.

Chicago, here wefuckingcome.

The road quietly stretches for now.. Flynn dozed off, listening to his music, while Gunnar sat next to me, playing games on his phone. We haven’t spoken, but his posture has shifted, less casual than earlier as he runs his hands up and down his leg restlessly with force.

My knuckles ache from gripping the wheel. I ease off, flexing my fingers to get the blood flowing again, as the sky bleeds orange behind the clouds. Dusk is coming in slow, and it always makes me think of home… Of whatusedto be home.

“Have you ever wondered,” I say into the quiet, “how different it would’ve been if they hadn’t died?

Gunnar shifts in his seat beside me, but doesn’t say anything.

“Our parents,” I add, quickly looking in his direction. “If they hadn’t been caught in that fire… if the house had been just a few feet further from the warehouse. If we hadn’t gone out that night.”

He locks his phone, looking out the window as the silence deepens. It’s not uncomfortable, not with Gunnar. He knows grief like I do. Like it’s a shadow that follows even in moonlight.

“I still see it sometimes,” I admit. “That last night. Mom made lasagna. Flynn wouldn’t shut up about wanting extra cheese. Carter tried to sneak out. Dad had that tired look he always had when business was about to go sideways.”

“They knew,” Gunnar finally says. “They knew what was coming.”

“Maybe,” I swallow hard. “But I didn’t.”

I was the oldest. I should’ve known. Should’ve paid attention to the signs, should’ve-

“You were akid, Axel.”

I blink at the windshield, my face hardening as I remember running towards the flames, screaming their names. “I stopped being a kid that night.”

Gunnar doesn’t argue. There’s not much he can say about it all. He was too young to fully understand and we both know it.

We drive a few more minutes in silence before I glance at the rear-view mirror, watching Ant follow closely behind. “What did you say to Eva?”

He quirks a brow. “When?”

“Earlier. Before you entered the kitchen. I saw you talking to her. She laughed at something you said?”

Gunnar smirks, unapologetic. “I told her you were a grumpy bastard who probably wouldn’t speak to anyone unless she was by your side.”

I grit my teeth, but Gunnar shrugs, still smiling. “Relax. I also told her you loved her.”

I blink, his words taking me by surprise. “You saidwhat?”

“She looked like she was about to bolt. You weren’t gonna say it. So I did.” He leans closer towards me. “You’re welcome.”

My stomach twists. “You-”

“I didn’t say it like that, you caveman.” He places a hand on his heart, sitting straighter like he’s about to pledge allegiance. “I said ‘He might be a silent monster of unresolved trauma and poor communication, but he’s not the kind of guy to lie about who his heart beats for.”

I turn my head, staring at him for a few seconds.

“She laughed, and then I told her she’s the only woman I’ve ever seen knock the wind out of you, just by walking into a room.”