Unhurt Read Free

chain that appeared to have a spoon dangling from it amidst the keys.
    “What the fuck is that?” I reached for them to have a better look.
    “She wasn’t kidding about liking old shit and finding new ways to use it. Guess she scored a whole silverware drawer at some yard sale a while back. You don’t even want to know all the different things she’s made out of forks and spoons. Pretty sure my aunt has a necklace and earing set that could come in handy the next time she goes camping.”
    I laughed, flipping the spoon around in my fingers. She had a quote stamped into the medal.
    “I shall not weep. I shall not disappear in sleep. I shall not accept defeat. Not as long as I have promises to keep.” I glanced back at Bobby. “What does that mean?”
    He shrugged. There was no sign of the previous lighthearted grin. “Just means I should probably get those keys back to her before she leaves.” Bobby stood up and held his hand out.
    I dropped my arm to my side, keeping the keys out of his reach. “I’ll go catch her. I was going to ask her about something anyway.”
    Bobby made a face like he wasn’t happy, but he didn’t argue. “Cool. But hurry. She really needs those.” He nodded toward the door, but I was already on my way.
    I caught Joss just as she was locking up the back of her Bronco and preparing to climb into the driver’s seat.
    “I think you forgot these.” Standing behind her I dangled the set of keys over her shoulder.
    She grabbed them and spun around slowly. Suddenly we were standing closer than I’d expected.
    “Thanks.”
    “No problem. Hey, about that bedroom furniture. Did you want to come by and take a look at it sometime?” I was smiling. I could feel it. It wasn’t intentional, it just kept fucking happening.
    “Sure.” She sounded hesitant, but for some reason that didn’t stop me from pushing the issue. After all, it was strictly a business deal from which we both stood to benefit, right?
    I leaned my head back slightly in the direction of my truck. “I’ve got some time right now...”
    “Now works.” As soon as she said it I had to run down the list of things I had to do that day. Now was not a good time, which Bobby would likely confirm if I consulted him. Of course I didn’t plan to. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but wonder what parts of my body were currently not on speaking terms. Clearly my mouth had been communicating with some part other than my brain when it opened up.
    “Cool. I live just up the road. You wanna just follow me up there?”
    Joss made face. “I thought I would have access to Mike and Ikes.”
    She caught me completely off guard. “Oh. Well, yeah, you can obviously ride with me. I didn’t think you’d be comfortable with that.”
    “Dude, I’m going to your house to check out your bedroom. Getting a ride sort of pales in comparison.” She smirked. “Besides, Bobby seems to think you’re okay.”
    “Bobby likes everyone.” I said it slowly. I knew I wasn’t helping my case.
    “I know.” She pointed up ahead. “So, which one’s yours?”

Chapter Two
    T here was a brief moment of awkward silence as Derek pulled his truck out into traffic. Then, “So, you’re Bobby’s little sister.” He was shaking his head like he still couldn’t believe it.
    I snorted. “Not exactly, but thanks. I’ll be sure to tell him you thought so.”
    His head turned toward me. “Wait, are you saying you’re the older one?”
    I nodded, still enjoying the unexpected compliment. “By three years.”
    “No way.”
    “Yes way.”
    The drive took less than five minutes. Next thing I knew I was getting out, still chewing my first handful of Mike and Ikes.
    “You live here?” It wasn’t that I couldn’t believe it. Okay, it was that I couldn’t believe it. This place was nice. At least an acre of land, beautiful landscaping all around, including some fruit-bearing trees I could make out just by glancing around the perimeter. The house itself was