Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(63)

“I’d like to go see Theo,” I said.

Jonah looked up at me. “Now?”

I nodded. “Can I borrow the Jeep?”

He reached for the keys in his pocket. “You shouldn’t go alone. I’ll take you.”

His offer came so quickly, I wondered if he welcomed the opportunity to escape. I stood and pressed down on his shoulder, wanting him to remain in his chair. “I think you should stay and talk to your mother. I’ll be fine.”

He looked a little panicked at the thought.

“Take my car,” Lorraine said. “In case they’re looking for yours.”

Her offer made me think she wanted time alone with him. “Would that be okay?” I asked Jonah.

He arched one dark brow at the fact that I was asking permission. Glancing at Lorraine and then me, he scratched his head and nodded, but he didn’t seem too sure about it. “It should be okay. Just be back in an hour, and don’t go near your aunt’s house. If they know you’re in Ryberg, that’s the first place they’ll look.”

“If they know me at all, they’ll realize that’s the last place I’d go.” I smirked. “And I may need more like an hour and a half.” Before Jonah could disagree, I stood and walked over to kiss Lorraine on the cheek, surprising her with my affection.

It felt good to have any ally, even though she was disappointed right now. She wanted a different kind of reunion with her son, one with more understanding and affection. Once Jonah came to terms with everything and it sank in, I hoped he’d give her that.

“I’ll stop by the pet store too and get some supplies for Pumpkin. Thanks for letting him stay here.”

“Sure,” she said, not sounding sure at all.

Jonah walked me to the door. “Keep your eyes open. I doubt they’d catch up to us so quickly, but you should stay alert.”

“Be nice to her,” I whispered. “She loves you. She obviously missed you.”

“Keep your cell phone on you. If you notice anyone suspicious, put the battery back in and call here. You have the number?”

I nodded, hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

“If they’ve found us already, it won’t matter anyway,” Jonah said, ignoring my words about his mother.

“Yes, sir.” I mock saluted him and he frowned.

He cupped my cheeks in his hands. “Candy, I’m serious.”

My grin fell and my heart kicked at the feel of his hands on my face. “You’re not mad at me for keeping so many secrets?”

“I honestly don’t know how I feel at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I want anything to happen to you.” He kissed my forehead and stood back, watching me with a furrowed brow.

I was worried too. I had no idea how much trouble we were in or what we were supposed to do next, and I was pretty sure Jonah didn’t know either. He’d just cut ties with everything he knew, and his world was turned upside down. Just like mine.

We were both in the same predicament, but at least it felt like we had each other now.

***





Theo grinned at me standing at his front door. His mother had just given me a hug on her way out to do some last-minute shopping. “Merry Christmas,” she said when she saw me there.

Once she was gone, Theo gave me a knowing look. “Two visits in one week. I’m feeling special.”

I practically threw myself at him, hugging him so tightly, not worrying that I might knock him over or squeeze too hard. It was so good to see him looking so well. He’d put on some weight, and his hair was styled like he actually gave a damn, dark and spiky, sticking up all over the place like a wannabe rocker.

I stood back to take him in, and he just looked at me with an amused grin on his face.

“You’re kind of hot,” I stated.

Theo laughed.

“I mean it. You’re hot in a hipster, young Matt Dillon kind of way.” The truth was even though Theo had put some weight on, he could use a lot more. Regardless, he looked great.

“If Heather liked me before, how do you think she’s gonna like me now?”

I’d nearly forgotten I’d given Theo Heather’s number. “Did you text her?”

“Do zombies eat brains?”

I rolled my eyes.

He exhaled in exasperation. “You still haven’t seen Night of the Living Dead or Dawn of the Dead or The Walking Dead?”

I tilted my head at him. “You’re kind of zombie obsessed. You know that?”

“I need to study up. I may come back as one with all the chemicals that have been pumped into my body. How awesome would it be if your best friend was a zombie?”

“If you eat my brain, not so awesome. Can you be serious for a minute? Did you text Heather or not?”

“Yes. We’ve been texting. She’s pretty cool, you know, for a girl. We’re supposed to meet up before I leave for Cali.” He gave me a closer look. “What’s that on your neck?”

“Nothing.” I lowered my chin, trying to hide the bruises.

He frowned and squinted at me. “What the hell, Candy? Those marks are shaped like a hand.”

I panicked and tried to think of a reasonable explanation. I should have worn a turtleneck or a scarf. Maybe I didn’t because after everything that happened, I felt reckless. I didn’t want to keep secrets anymore, especially not from Theo.