“Jenny? What are you doing here? I heard on the radio—” His eyes widen.
I smile at him. “I was saying goodbye to the bosque. I’m going back to Ohio today. What did you hear on the radio?” My heart is beating a million miles an hour, but I don’t let it show. I’m fighting for my life, and I’m going to win. Again.
He glances back and forth between Ro and me. This is it. If she’s going to turn me in, this is her chance. I feel her moving behind me. Her arm links through mine.
“I’ll miss her.” Her voice is light with a tinge of sadness.
I can see the debate raging in Allen’s head. I know that I fit the description of who the police are looking for. He’s trying to put the pieces together—or take them apart so that it isn’t me.
I untangle myself from Ro and step up to him. I look coyly down at my feet. “I’m going to miss you, too.” I raise my lips to his. “I’m sorry we didn’t get more time together,” I whisper before I kiss him.
Ro snorts behind me, but I take it for what it is. She’s impressed.
“Bye,” I say to Allen.
I don’t turn around again.
* * *
—
I wave to Monica from the truck window. “See you at Christmas!” I yell. Her smile fades. Mike Vargas is too busy with lingering guests to see me wave to him.
Cam watches the truck go by with sad eyes. I don’t know what comes next for him. Maybe he’ll give up his dreams and work for Mike Vargas forever. Or maybe Mike Vargas will decide Cam is too much of a liability and cut him free.
Later, when I’m not still feeling the high of my escape, I might feel guilty about what happened to him. Or maybe not.
We pull out onto the street. The bosque shrinks in the rearview mirror. The police cars are still parked there.
Ro will destroy everything. She won’t risk her mom getting in trouble. All those crimes will be more cold cases sitting in dusty files. Rumors for the town to collect and twist around and pass down through the generations.
We merge onto the interstate. It’s not the sunset we’re driving into, but it’s the end of my story here.
Now I start over.
The sleeping pills are in my bag.
My scar still itches.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My biggest thanks to my editor, Kelsey Horton. I am so glad that the fates (and Beverly Horowitz) brought us together. Thank you for all the work you put into this book. I think you might be a little magic.
Thank you to my agent, Rachel Brooks, for taking the helm and steering the ship through some rough seas. (She’s a little magic too.)
Thank you to everyone at Delacorte Press who works behind the scenes. You are the true heroes of publishing.
Thank you to Stacey Trombley for her insights; to Jamie Pacton, Jenny Ferguson, and Tracy Gold for being (amazing) early readers; and to Kelly Brocklehurst and Amber Byres-Richardson for their excitement and support.
A huge thank-you to Jeanette Alvstad, who I dragged along with me on this journey and who always listens with rapt attention (even when I’m whining). You are legitly awesome.
I couldn’t have finished this book (or done much of anything) without the help and support of the 2017 Debuts and the PitchWars 2015 group.
And to Tara Goedjen—thanks for all the chats.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Searcy is the author of The Truth Beneath the Lies. She earned a BA from New Mexico State University and an MA in human rights from the University of Essex in England. She works in collection development for a public library system and loves chocolate, cats, and curling up with a good book. She lives in New Mexico. Visit her online at amandasearcybooks.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @Aesearcy.
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Watch You Burn Page 26