Page 59 of The Rowdy Ones

I scan the signs hanging to see which way we need to go. We walk past an elderly couple who blatantly stare at my sister and her dog. They mutter something under their breath about dogs not being welcome.

“Service animal,” I growl as I pass. “She’s blind.”

I must terrify the shit out of them because they both gape at me. If I’m being rude, it’s only because they were rude first.

“To your left,” I call out to Destiny when she reaches the end of the aisle. “Then turn right.”

When we’re on the correct aisle, I hurry past Destiny to the pet stuff. I pick up a dog toy and squeeze it at Scout. He barks and his tail wags a mile a minute.

“Toys,” she exclaims. “You want some toys, good boy?”

He jumps up on me, trying to get the toy out of my hand. “I think he likes this one.”

We spend the next half hour grabbing all sorts of stuff for Scout. There’s even a dog sweater in his size. It’s pink, which I think Destiny would like if she could see it. I figure I’ll use one of the Sharpies in the RV and write “service animal” on it. Then nobody will fuck with my sister about it.

After paying and loading up the truck, I take her to a cool drive-through place I used to eat at all the time. They have the best onion rings and strawberry milkshakes.

We sit in the car in companionable silence as we eat our food. Scout works hard on an enormous bone Destiny insisted on getting for him. I realize, for the first time in a really long time, I’m genuinely happy.

Not stressing the fuck out over my feelings for her.

Not agonizing over Evan.

Not jealous over Weston.

Just happy.

“Thank you for coming with me,” I murmur, unable to keep from toying with a strand of her silky hair. “It’s selfish as fuck, but I needed this.”

She turns and peers up at me with unseeing eyes. God, why does she have to be so damn enticing?

“It’s not selfish to need people, Rowdy.” She bites on her juicy bottom lip. “This was fun.”

I run my tongue along my own bottom lip, aching to lean in and kiss her pretty mouth. What would she do? Would she kiss me back? Would she smack me? She’s dating someone, for fuck’s sake.

My phone buzzes, stealing my attention from my obsession. Grunting, I fumble around in my pockets until I find it.

Wild: They found another body, man. Just like the other one. What the fuck? Send proof of life.

Another body?

Nerves rattle me to my core. At least when Destiny’s with me, I can keep her safe and can relax. It’s whenever she’s not with me I’ll have to worry. Especially with someone out there murdering people.

“Wild wants me to send a picture,” I say, voice gruff. “Want to be in it with me? I learned how to do it this morning. He gave me training.”

She leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder, and smiles. “I’m ready.”

After I take the “selfie” of the two of us, I stare at the picture on my phone, chest aching. The people in this picture are vibrant and happy. They belong here. A far cry from the hurting, depressed pair on the homestead.

Selfishly, I keep the picture to myself, instead shooting Wild a text for proof of life.

Me: no way that sucks but i’m still alive with dez and scout we got onion rings and milkshakes i bet your jealous

Wild: You’re.

What the fuck ever.

We spend the next couple of hours driving around. Rowdy takes me back to the candy store and I get more sour gummy worms since they ended up being my favorites. It was a lot of fun hanging out with my brother.