Page 102 of Rogue's Path

“Did he do anything? Try to get near you?”

“No. It was all perfectly normal. He filled his tank and washed his windows.”

“But you were scared.”

That’s a bit of an understatement. “Yeah.”

“Do you know how to use a gun? Not in theory. Have you had training?”

“Yeah.”

He leans forward. “I can’t wait for you to tell me that story.” With a little flip, the glove box opens. “Put your hand in there and feel the around the top.”

That’s an odd request — “You have a secret compartment in here.”

“There are dozens all around the truck.”

Dozens? It’s definitely a fully custom job.

“Are you paying attention?”

Sorta. Mostly. I turn back to where his outstretched arm is leading me. Don’t look at all those defined muscles of his. “I’m paying attention now.” Feel for a latch or a button. “Got it.”

“Now press two three two on the radio.”

A door flips open as my finger touches the last two.

“It’s loaded, and there are half a dozen extra magazines.”

Wow! Wow!

“You get scared again when I’m not here. You pull that out.”

“Okay.”

“You good? You need to take a walk? Clear your mind? Want a hug?”

Yes to all three, especially the hug. But I won’t want to stop anytime soon. “I’m good.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m mostly good because of you.”

“That I’ll take.”

“I wasn’t trying to lie to you.”

Rogue reaches across and sets his hand on mine. “I know. You were lying to yourself. So, I got you a sugar-free tea and a lemonade. To mix them together, I got you a cup of ice. Then I don’t know your favorite snacks yet, so I got us a mix of everything from salty to sweet and some trail mix to balance it all out.”

He passed the test that he didn’t even know was a test. “I love you. I mean, I’m falling in love with you.”

“I know.”

“Well, that’s an arrogant thing to say.”

“Let me ask you. Do you know that I’m falling in love with you?”

Do I? “Yeah.”