Page 40 of The Destruction You Desire

We're outside Aunt Fee's house in only minutes. Luca pulls up out front but hesitates to kill the engine.

Glancing over at him, I find his brow furrowed as he stares at the house.

"Kayden isn't home," I say, knowing that he's at kindergarten this afternoon. "Aunt Fee is though," I add, seeing as her car is in the driveway.

Hitting a button on the dash, the car shuts off and he throws his door open.

"This isn't about me," he mutters as he climbs out.

He opens my door before I've managed to gather my things and he reaches in for my purse.

"Come on. We don’t have much time."

"Okay."

With his hand in the small of my back, he guides me toward the house.

"Peyton, you're home ear—" Aunt Fee's words are cut off when her eyes find Luca standing behind me but they quickly return to me. "What's wrong?"

"It's Libby. She's in a hospital in Atlanta."

"Oh my God, why? What's she done?"

"OD'd."

"Shit."

"I'm taking her to Atlanta. We've got a flight booked and leaving in two hours."

"Y-you are?" Aunt Fee asks, concern covering her face.

"Yeah," I say.

She looks between the two of us, obviously biting back what she really wants to say.

"Why don't you go and pack a bag?" Luca suggests, breaking the awkward tension that crackles around us.

Nodding, I bolt toward the stairs, more than ready to get to the airport so I can at least feel like I'm getting closer to her.

I hear Aunt Fee's soft voice behind me, but I don't hang around to hear whatever she might have to say to Luca. Right now, I don't care. I just want to get to my sister.

I'm shoving some leggings into my overnight bag when a shadow falls over me.

Glancing over my shoulder, I find Aunt Fee watching me with her arms folded across her chest.

"Do you think this is a good idea?"

"Right now, I really don't care. I just need to get there."

"But—"

"I know, Aunt Fee. Trust me, I know. But my priority right now is Libby and I'll take all the help I can get."

She stares at me, disapproval shining bright in her eyes.

"I'm not just going to forgive him because he's booked me a flight. It's going to take more than that."

From the way her brow lifts, I'm not entirely sure she believes me.