Page 94 of Scatter the Bones

We munch on the rolls in silence for a few minutes. The sound of clinking silverware and a country ballad hum through the background.

“So, what’s your plan?” I ask, catching him mid-reach for another roll.

He freezes, then slowly sits back. “Not sure.” His gaze meets mine, full of something that might be defiance—or just exhaustion. “I want to see Jezzie.”

I hold out a hand, palm down. “We’ll get there.”

“Mom wanted me to use the money she left me for school.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s barely enough to pay for a year at a state school.”

“What doyouwant to do?” I ask.

He pops a piece of roll in his mouth and chews it slowly. “I think I want to be an electrician. Do a training program and find an apprenticeship.”

I nod slowly. I know some people who could probably help him out. “I might be able to help you with that.” Actually, I’m almost positive the community college out in Johnsonville has a solid program.

“Really?” His eyes widen, like he’s shocked I’d offer to do anything for him.

“Look, you said you and your stepdad aren’t close. Are you plannin’ to go back to Arizona?”

“New Mexico,” he corrects, focusing his attention on the now empty breadbasket. “There’s nothing for me there.”

“You got any other options?”

“Sure.” He spreads his hands wide. “I can go anywhere I want now. Just me and the open road.”

“Yeah, you can do that.”

“Here we go!” Our server swoops in, placing two massive plates with our steaks on them in front of us. A guy behind her delivers the side dishes.

“I’ll grab fresh drinks and bring more rolls,” the server chirps. “Be right back.”

“Thanks,” I murmur.

Cain doesn’t wait. He dives into the steak, cutting off a thick bite and closing his eyes as he chews. Like it’s the first real meal he’s had in days.

I stab my fork into the mac and cheese—gooey, creamy, cheesy—and drop a ball of butter into the steaming crack of my baked potato.

Across from me, Cain keeps eating, fast but not sloppy. Intent.

Unease digs into me.Is he actually staying at that hotel?

I slice into my steak and take a bite, chewing while I figure out how to bring it up without making him defensive.

After he’s inhaled about a quarter of his meal, I steer the conversation toward his living situation. “I have a friend who owns an apartment building. It’s about an hour outside of Empire.” I circle my finger through the air to indicate the location we’re currently in. “But it’s nice. My girlfriend’s place isn’t far from there, so I’m in the area a lot.”

“Yeah, and?” he asks, clearly confused.

“It’s yours if you want it.”

His cheeks redden. “I don’t have enough to rent a place on my own and?—”

“No rent. He keeps it for members of the club who need a place to crash. It’s empty right now. Guy who was staying there just moved in with his girlfriend. As a favor tome, my friend who owns the building is willing to let you stay there.”

“Why don’tyoulive there?”

“I got a place down in Union. But like I said, I’m up that way a lot.”

“Sleeping over at your girlfriend’s?” He raises his eyebrows, looking like a scandalized ten-year-old who just learned that sex isn’t always about making babies.

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