Page 7 of Darlin'

I hang up on momma, and give the taxi driver a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that. We’re going to…” I find the PDF from Mr. Moore and zoom in on my brother’s last known address "Umm...I'm going to 1424 Dungrave Drive in uh"—I squint—"in Hawkridge."

The driver frowns. “Hawkridge?”

“Yes, Hawkridge.” I reread the document and turn my phone around to show him the address. "See?"

He runs a hand through his thinning hair. "Okay..." He starts the engine, tapping the steering wheel as I buckle in. "Um...anyone know where you're heading to, Miss?"

I frown.Is he going to kidnap me?"Yes, of course."

"Good, good," he mutters, clearing his throat. He turns the dial on the radio. "Any requests? It's a bit of a long drive.”

"No," I say, sinking back into my seat as anxiety spikes in my chest. "Anything's fine."

Maybe I should've asked Mr. Moore to dig a little harder to find Beau's phone number so I could call him first. Tell him that I was coming. But what if he didn't answer? What if he decided to take off again? This might be my only chance. Daddy always says the element of surprise is crucial to winning a battle. And I intend to win. No losing allowed. Not today.

As the minutes tick by, the big city lights and towersshrink into rancher-style residential homes and rusty pick up trucks until all that surrounds me is dirt roads, patchy fields, and rocky mountains.

"We're almost there," the driver says, sensing my confusion. "Hawkridge is just through that opening." He points toward a lumpy hill, and I swallow. Where in God's name am I? "You uh...you visiting a friend or something?"

"My brother," I say, chewing on my bottom lip as Hawkridge comes into view.

Despite the barren perimeter of the town, there are several newly built houses scattered around, making the older homes look even more run down. It's like everything is half-built. Nothing cohesive. Odd. The driver turns onto Dungrave Drive—or at least I think it's Dungrave. Apparently, street signs aren't necessary here.

"1424," he says, stopping the car. He looks out the passenger side window, scratching his chin. "You sure this is it?"

"Uh..." I blink at all the beer cans spread out around the front yard.Oh, boy.There's no going back now, is there? "I guess so."

The driver gets out of the car and helps me with my bags. I hand him the fare silently, my pulse racing with anticipation.Here we go…all or nothing.I listlessly stride to the front door, sucking in a long breath as I clear my throat and ring the doorbell multiple times.

"Hello? Anyone home? Hello?" I pause, swallowing as I knock this time. "Beau? Beau, you there?"

The door swings open and I gasp, jumping back as ahaggard young man with dirty boxers steps outside. Oh my…

"Can I help you?" he asks, rubbing his eyes, the stench of booze permeating the surrounding air.

"Umm..." I narrow my eyes, double-checking the man's face to make sure it's not Beau. It's been a while, but I would hope I remember my own brother. Maybe I got the wrong house. "I'm looking for Beau? Beau Kingsley?"

"I don't know any Beau.” He licks his lips. "But maybe I can help you find him." The young man winks at me. "Wanna come inside?"

I blink, gripping the handle of my suitcase as I take a preemptive step back. Ignore and move on. Don't let him smell your fear.

"You don't know Beau? He's um..." I grab my phone from my purse, hands shaking as I scroll through my photos until I find the most recent picture of him. "Does he look familiar to you?"

Smelly Boy frowns at the photo. "That's Radley." He glances up at me, confused. "You're looking for Radley?"

"Radley?" I cock my head, also confused. "What?"

He points to the photo. "That's Radley King. He's my roommate."

He changed his name? ToRadley? Despite my shock, I chuckle to myself. Radley. Like Boo Radley. Clever kid. Always was.

"I'm his sister," I say, hoping that tidbit warrants a smidgen of respect. "Is he here?"

"His sister, huh?" He gives me a slow once-over as heleans against the door frame. "Didn't know Rad had a sister."

I wince.Ouch. "Is he here?"

"Nah," he says with a shrug. "Haven't seen him in a week or so."

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