Page 50 of The Ex Project (The Heartwood #3)

HUDSON

One second, my body is on fire, and the next, I’m shivering. I’m damp with sweat, weak, and tired. So fucking tired.

I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since the last time I hurled, but the way Wren has sped up, taking turns at breakneck speeds, it might not be long before I hurl again.

She keeps glancing over at me, a permanent crease between her eyebrows. I must look terrible. If I look half as terrible as I feel, Wren must think I’m practically on death’s door.

I’m dehydrated, but the last time I tried to take even a sip from the water bottle in the cup holder, it came back up almost seconds later. Wren barely had time to pull the car over.

Now, the truck lurches as we slow in the exit. I open my eyes and the whooshing of the passing trees makes my stomach flip flop. I get my bearings enough to know Wren didn’t take the exit for Heartwood .

We’re going to Banff.

And the only person Wren knows in Banff is Claire. Jett, too, but he’s useless in situations like these.

I turn to look at Wren and see nothing but steely determination on her face as she drives down Banff Ave, barely keeping to the speed limit.

“Are you taking me to Claire’s?” I manage to croak out. Wren doesn’t say anything, she keeps staring at the road ahead, occasionally flicking her eyes down to the display in the dash. “You know you don’t have to do this. I’ll survive until Heartwood.”

“No. You look like hell. Heartwood is too far.” Her rapid, clipped sentences tell me she’s anxious. In fact, with the tone in her voice and the expression on her face, she looks like she’s on the verge of her first panic attack since leaving her job.

“Wren, I’m okay. Please don’t panic.” She whips her head over to me and then back onto the road.

“I’ll stop panicking when I get you to Claire’s,” she snaps. I let my head flop back against the headrest, and I close my eyes again. There’s no arguing with Wren right now. Besides, this isn’t an argument I care to win.

The only thing I can think about is her setting aside whatever scraps of pride she has left, and asking Claire for help.

And she’s doing it for me.