Page 104 of Coast

“Zoe?” Coast called, and I could hear the rev of engines.

“They hit us again. The trunk is open.”

“Okay. Listen, try to go faster. If they hit you too hard, the airbag might deploy. And there’s a chance that can knock you out if the impact is strong enough. We can’t let that happen.”

“Okay,” I agreed, sniffling, fighting back stupid, useless tears.

“Call streets as you pass them.”

“Oceanview,” I told him.

“We’re not that far away. Just keep moving toward the main drag. It’s not busy this time of night, but any cars are better than no cars.”

“Shh, baby. It’s okay,” I tried to coo at Lainey, but my own voice was borderline hysterical. “Coral Gables,” I told Coast.

“Good. You’re getting closer. Just focus.”

My breath was coming in frantic, shallow huffs. The air was pumping, but sweat was pouring down my neck and down my back.

“Zo, talk to me.”

“I can’t. I can’t think.”

We were going too fast.

If a car pulled out in front of us, I wasn’t going to have time to brake. We’d hit. We’d roll. Then… if we survived that, we could just be picked off. We could…

“Zo, listen to me. You’re going to be okay. We’re getting closer. You know what you’re doing.”

But I didn’t.

I really didn’t.

I never evensped. I liked speed limits and red lights. I was a big fan of putting proper distance between my car and the one in front of me.

I had no idea how my car handled sharp turns or uneven roads at high speeds.

“Biscayne,” I said, focusing on the one thing I could do. Name streets.

“You’re three streets away from the main drag. You’re almost there.”

“What if my car rolls when we turn?”

“Listen. You want to brake hardbeforethe turn, alright? Not during it. Brake before. Then slowly lay off of it as you make the turn. Don’t make any jerky movements of the wheel. And don’t overcorrect. The car’s momentum is going to pull you through the turn. Don’t turn the wheel the other way. Just let the movement take you. Say it back.”

“Brake before. Ease off. Stay steady. Don’t overcorrect.”

“Yes. Exactly. You’re in a low car. It’s a lot less likely to roll in general. You know what to do to keep it from happening.”

“Okay,” I agreed, trying to take a deep breath. I eased each hand off the wheel, wiping it on my shorts.

It was coming up.

I had to be prepared.

Coast was right.

I could do this.

---