She Can Hide (She Can #4)(17)

Guilt tumbled in his belly when he realized he was hoping the cop’s visit wasn’t about him. He was a shit. How could he wish anything bad on Abby? She was the one person who totally got him. She tried to help Derek on his terms, not like that stupid social worker who had no idea what it was like to live his life. Sure, take him from here and put him in an even worse situation.

No, thanks. He didn’t need any more of that kind of help. He could manage just fine on his own.

The cop had left without even looking at Derek’s house. Good. He didn’t want to be on any official radar. The social worker’s periodic visits were hard enough to fake his way through. With several satisfactory inspections and a heavy case load, he doubted she’d be by anytime soon without cause. So the last thing he needed was a cop poking around. Especially now.

He glanced back at his house. No blue pickup hunkered at the curb yet, but his mom’s new boyfriend would be back tonight. So Derek’s be-invisible policy was still in effect, and a home visit was on his list of things to be avoided at all cost.

He wasn’t ever going into the system again. People who had never been in the foster system had no idea how random it was. A lucky kid could end up in a nice place with people who cared. Or so he’d heard. On the other hand, look what had happened to Derek.

His stomach curled like a useless fist at the memory.

No, thank you, to anyone who wanted to save him. At twelve, Derek had already experienced enough of being saved. His foster parents had had good intentions, but they’d been clueless about what the two older boys they’d taken in were up to. The brothers had both been bigger than Derek, and there’d been two of them. If he hadn’t gotten away—

He shook off the memory and retraced his footsteps in the snow to the backyard. Cold water seeped into his sneakers. Was Abby OK? He chewed on his thumbnail. God, he was such a coward, slinking through the shadows when maybe she needed help.

Her back door opened, and Zeus padded out onto the cement patio. The giant head swiveled. The dog wagged his tail and woofed at him. Putting a toe in the chain-link, Derek hoisted himself over the fence. The big dog greeted him with a sloppy snort. Derek didn’t mind the slobber. He threw his arms around the thick neck.

“Derek?” Abby called through the open door. “You can come in. It’s clear.”

A dozen steps carried him across the yard. Zeus followed him inside. Stepping over the threshold, he closed the door behind them. He grabbed the towel hanging from the doorknob and wiped Zeus’s feet. Abby’s kitchen was warm and clean. He took off his shoes, leaving them to dry on the mat.

Abby was standing in front of the open fridge door. “Are you hungry?”

“What happened to your face?” Anger sprung up inside him, hot and sharp and shocking in its intensity. If someone had hit her…He would do what? He was a weakling, powerless to help himself let alone Abby. The only thing Derek had going for him were quick feet. Running away from trouble was what he did best. Hiding was a close second.

Abby smiled at him, but her eyes were sad and tired. “My car slid off the road into the Packman Creek yesterday.”

“Oh.” Derek hung the towel to dry. Relief flooded him. “You’re OK?”

“Just a little banged up.” She sighed. “My car didn’t fare as well.”

“That sucks.”

Abby pulled a deli bag out of a plastic drawer and closed the refrigerator. “Do you want a grilled cheese?”

“You sit.” Derek stretched a hand toward her shoulder but pulled it back at the last second. Touching people wasn’t his thing. “I got it.”

Abby eased into a chair, propped her elbows on the table, and dropped her chin into her hands. “How’s your mom?”

“Fine.” He figured Abby already knew about his mom’s latest binge, but he wasn’t supplying any details. Men and booze were Mom’s downfall. Fortunately, she didn’t fall often. But this latest boyfriend…Something was different about this guy. Something that made Derek want to steer way clear. Derek tossed a square of butter into the hot frying pan. He assembled cheese and bread and laid them in the melted butter. He glanced back at Abby. She was squinting in the bright sunlight that streamed in the window. “You’re sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“You could catch a nap if you want. I’ll hang out with Zeus.” He lifted a shoulder. She shouldn’t be alone right out of the hospital, and the less time he spent at his house the better. Joe was due back anytime. Luckily, his mom’s boyfriends didn’t usually last long. Once he figured out Mom didn’t have any money, he’d move on. Derek hoped.

Abby fed the dog a corner of her grilled cheese. Indecision clouded her face. “Maybe I will. Thanks.” She stood up and walked toward the doorway. A quick flash of apprehension in her eyes set Derek on edge. “Would you wake me if anything unusual happens? Anything at all.”

“Sure.”

Their gazes locked. Abby never talked about her past, but he recognized wariness. He bet Abby knew plenty about running and hiding.

“I appreciate it.” Smoothing her features, Abby picked at the sleeve of her sweater. “Wake me before you leave, OK?”

Derek’s nerves stirred. Something was wrong. Abby was afraid. Usually fear was his territory.