Until the End of the World (Book 2): And After Read Free Page B

says when I congratulate him. “But it’s good.”
    “It’s great,” I say with what I hope sounds like absolute confidence. “It’s going to be fine.”
    He rubs at his forehead before he nods. We both know I could be wrong, but we have to take pleasure in these moments that could otherwise be ruined by what’s outside the fences. If we don’t, we might as well give up. Penny’s face is soft and buoyant, and James reaches for her hand, mirroring her expression. My resolve not to have a baby weakens a tiny bit, but I shore it up with the image of the frozen Lexers today.

CHAPTER 4
    I make my way to the farmhouse to change before dinner, planting my feet carefully in the muck at the lowest part of the farm. Today might herald the start of mud season, that time of boot-sucking bogs and dirty floors. I extend my arms to keep from falling when my leg slides out from under me. I should’ve stuck to the graveled path.
    “How is it that anyone wants you, of all people, on patrol?” asks a wry voice.
    I turn to where Nelly leans against one of the cabins with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. “Why are you following me?”
    “I saw the windmill arms and had to get a closer look.”
    He mimics my arms with a look of desperation. I laugh so hard that my foot slips again. Nelly grabs my elbow and sighs, but his blue eyes twinkle.
    “Thanks,” I say. “And I’m glad you find me so entertaining.”
    “Me too, darlin’.”
    Nelly’s unruly blond hair sticks up all over the place, and his cheeks are pink from working outside with the livestock. His left arm never entirely recovered from that bad infection last year, so he doesn’t do patrol unless we’re short of people. He argues that it’s fine and that he’s right-handed. Truthfully, Nelly’s always been broad and strong, so his weakened arm is probably still stronger than most, but I like it this way. It gives me one less person to worry about.
    “Want to come to the house with me?” I ask. “I have to change.”
    “Sure. I’ll flush the toilet for fun.”
    Those who don’t live in the farmhouse make do with the composting outhouses. And unless they’re in one of the tents lucky enough to have its own composting toilet, they have to brave the cold to use them. Nelly lives in one of the men’s tents, along with John. The cabins were given to families and couples. Being the boss’s girlfriend has its perks, besides the obvious one of being in love with him.
    “So, did you see Penny?” Nelly asks.
    I know he’s under orders not to ruin the surprise. “How crazy is it that she’s pregnant?”
    I’m staggered that Penny, my best friend since the age of ten, is having a baby. We’d planned—when we were twelve and still sure we could order up the life we wanted—to have kids together, so they’d be best friends, too. That’s not happening, but some of that hazy future has just arrived with a bang.
    “Yup, it’s crazy all right,” Nelly says. “What did you think happens when you have unprotected sex?”
    He’s happy, though; I can see it by the way he tightens his lips so as not to smile. “Oh, stop! Can’t you just be excited?”
    “Oh, my God, I’m so psyched!”
    “You’re an ass. I know you’re happy.”
    He pats my hand and grunts, which is as close as I’m getting to agreement.
    The restaurant clangs with the sounds of dinner, and my stomach growls at the drifting aroma of marinara sauce. I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Killing the infected kills my appetite as well, but now I’m ravenous. I’d sneak in and grab something, but people avoid you when you’re wearing your Lexer gear. There’s no way they’d let me in.
    We take off our boots in the sunroom. The white farmhouse has a porch that spans the front and old windows that let in tons of cold air, although they’re lovely to look at. I poke around in the kitchen pantry, but someone’s eaten the cookies I stuck in there. The bread is gone, too. I’d hoard