“I could give you two a ride to Tina’s place. It’s not exactly homey, but she’s a lot less likely to break in and bust up her own stuff,” he offered.
Knox stowed his phone in his pocket. His gaze fastened on me, and there was something smug about his expression that made me irrationally irritated.
“That is so nice of you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help,” I told Nash. “I’m sure Knox has much better things to do than spend any more time in my vicinity.”
“My pleasure,” Nash insisted.
“I’ll just pack up what’s left of my things and tell Waylay where we’re going,” I decided and started back to the room.
My relief at finally being free of the bad-tempered, tattooed Knox was interrupted by a thunderous rumble.
A motorcycle with a man the size of a bear prior to hibernation rocketed down the street at a speed that was definitely not the legal speed limit.
“God damn that Harvey,” Nash muttered.
“Guess you better go get ’em,” Knox said, still looking smug.
Nash jabbed a finger in his brother’s direction. “You and me are gonna talk later,” he promised, looking none too happy.
“Better hurry and uphold that law,” Knox said.
Nash turned back to me. “Naomi, sorry to leave you in a lurch. I’ll be in touch.”
Knox wiggled his fingers antagonistically as his brother hustled back to his SUV and took up pursuit with lights flashing.
Once again, I was left alone with Knox. “You didn’t have something to do with my nice, polite ride disappearing, did you?”
“Now why would I do that?”
“Well, it sure as hell isn’t to spend more quality time with me.”
“Come on, Daisy,” he said. “Let’s pack your shit. I’ll take you and Way to Tina’s.”
“I’d prefer if you kept your hands off my shit,” I said haughtily. The effect was ruined by my unladylike yawn. I was running on fumes and only hoped I could hold on long enough to get away from the Viking before I crashed.
FIVE
A VAT OF LIGHTER FLUID AND A NAP
Naomi
Hillside Acres looked more like a festive campground than a trailer park.
Kids played on a small, well-kept playground on a patch of grass that hadn’t quite submitted to the long Virginia summer. The mobile homes had picket fences and vegetable gardens. Creative color schemes and cozy patios added to the curb appeal.
And then there was Tina’s place.
It was a single-wide trailer in the back corner of the park. The beige box sloped hard to the right looking like it was missing part of its foundation on that end. Weeds that had fought their way through the gravel hit me at the knee.
The trailer across the road had a cute screened-in porch with string lights and hanging plants. Tina’s had makeshift cinder block steps leading to a rusty front door that hung slightly ajar.
Knox was glaring again. But for once, it wasn’t at me. It was at the notice posted on the door.
EVICTION.
“Stay here,” he ordered without looking at me or Waylay.
I was too tired to be annoyed as he Macho Man-stepped inside.
Waylay rolled her eyes. “She’s long gone. She busted in here before the motel.”
On reflex, I reached for her and put my hands on her shoulders. She jumped back, looking at me like I’d just tried to give her a wedgie.
Note to self: Don’t rush the physical affection.
“Uh, where have you two been staying?”
Waylay shrugged. “I stayed at my friend’s house the last two nights. Her parents don’t mind an extra kid for dinner. Dunno where she stayed.”
The only time “responsible” could be applied to Tina was when she was impersonating me over the years. Even still, I found myself horrified at my sister’s approach to parenting.
“It’s clear,” Knox called from inside.
“Told ya.” Waylay bounded up the steps, and I followed.
The trailer was worse on the inside than it was outside.
The carpet had worn through in front of the door, leaving long, gnarled strings that stretched out in all directions. A recliner faced a cheap wooden console with the dusty outline of a TV stand. A small, pink beanbag sat directly in front of it.
“She took the TV. But I grabbed the remote while she wasn’t looking,” Waylay said proudly.
“Nice job, kid,” Knox said, giving her hair a ruffle.
Swallowing hard, I left them in the living room and poked my head into the dingy kitchen.