Page 68 of How You See Me
“Are you trying to summon her back?”
“She was right there, Hayes. She spoke to us.” Her hands stack over her chest. “Melody James liked my boots.”
“She did, and you cried.”
Her jaw drops open, surprised I caught that. “I didnot.”
“No? Well, your eyes were suspiciously shiny.”
“Okay, maybe I got teary-eyed, but I didn’t cry. That would have ruined the moment.”
“Totally.”
We fall quiet again, this time with no strain clawing at the edges. It’s comfortable. It’s just . . . us.
By the time the van comes into view, my phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming text.
I stop at the edge of our campsite and check it.
Raidyn:What’s this I hear about you traveling cross country with a woman?
My spine slumps with a long sigh.
“Everything okay?” Josie asks from beside the van.
“It’s just my sister. Be right there.”
Me:I’m giving her a ride.
Raidyn:I bet.
Me:Not that kind.
Kayla:Thank the Lord. I don’t want to think of my big brother having sex.
Jesus. A group chat?
Me:Not anywherenear that.
Raidyn:Too bad.
Veronica:Eww.
Me:Why are you torturing me? It’s late. Shouldn’t you all be in bed?
Veronica:Bedtime before midnight is for old people.
Me:You three make me feel old.
Kayla:No. You and your rules do that. But love you!
Me:Is there a reason for this conversation?
Raidyn:I want toknow about Josie.
Me:How do you know her name?
Veronica:Mom tells us everything. You should know this already.
