Page 26 of Hide and Keep

Ronny studies Crue long and hard before asking, “Are you drunk right now?”

“I take full responsibility for being distracted while driving. You can write me a ticket for that, but I’m not drunk. I told you I haven’t had a single sip, not today, not…today.”

“Hmm, yeah, I guess I can see what had you so distracted,” Ronny says as he eyes me through the windshield. Turning to Crue, he points at him. “All right. Okay. But you gotta pass the sobriety test.”

Crue gives a stiff nod. “Whatever you need.”

For the next several minutes, Crue performs various tests from eye tracking to standing on one leg while counting. I keep my phone up in front of me, acting like I’m watching the screen but in reality I’m glued to Crue’s every move. Just like in the corn maze, he’s impossible to look away from.

By the time he gets back in the Bronco, I’ve shaken off the momentary regret for planting the rum. I don’t want Crue gone from my life, Ineedhim gone.

I do, however, still feel bad about the ugly comment.

There’s nothing I can do about it now though.

“So no jail time?” I ask.

He ignores me to start up his car, then waits for Ronny to pass.

After a wave to his friend, he says, “The flames, the liquor…” He gives me an unimpressed look. “That shit was pathetic. What else you got?”

“Guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?”

“Wewill,” he says before pulling back out on to the road.

The rest of the drive I have to bite my lips together, trying my hardest not to ask Crue any personal questions because there are so many just waiting to break the tense silence.

Don’t ask.

Don’t ask.

Don’t ask.

“Who’s Yasmin?” tumbles from my mouth.

I sit on my hands while I await his answer.

Crue’s fist clenches the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. I don’t think he’s going to, but then finally he does, saying, “My ex.”

A scalding pain slices through me.

“When did you guys break up?”

“We didn’t.”

“How is she your ex then?”

“She died.”

“Oh.” My voice low, I tell him, “I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“How long?”

“Eight years.”

“My mother died five years ago. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.”

---