“Tell me right now. Say it!” He grabbed my face, nose to nose with me.

“Let me go,” I screamed, lifting my head from the ground trying to get loose. Noah slammed my head back down.

“My parents may be stupid, but I’m not. Tell me why you guys are here,” he said again, spit flying from his mouth, anger radiating through his entire body.

He pulled back and slapped me across the face and waited. When it was clear I wasn’t going to answer him, he slapped me again.

I fought hard, trying to punch him in his smug face, but he only crushed his body against me harder.

“You need to get far away from my house. You and the rest of your so-called family. And if you don’t, I’ll tell my mom what kind of girl you really are. Because I don’t like you, any of you.”

“Fine,” I breathed, my head pinned under his elbow.

“Are you guys wanted? Did you do something?” he pressed.

“No!” I winced as he tugged my head to the side by my hair.

“Then why are those broads so sneaky and strange acting all the time?”

“I said we would leave, just let me up,” I begged.

Noah sat up, he squeezed my throat with one hand, pushing into my shoulder with the other to keep me in place. It was all a game to him. He stared down at me as if I were a wild animal at his mercy.

Even if he was angry, knowing what kind of people we were, he should have known better than to mess with us. I wasn’t sure how or why he knew, but he did.

I gasped as a large branch crashed down upon his head.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mason yelled, swinging the branch at Noah over and over again. Noah blocked the brunt of his attack with his arms, having been caught off guard and unable to defend himself.

Lainey helped me to my feet.

“Noah, what is wrong with you?” she exclaimed, in tears.

“Mason, stop!” I screamed, grabbing Mason’s arm to stop his assault on Noah. I pushed him away.

“Let’s go! Right now!” he demanded, taking hold of my arm. I pulled away, grabbing ahold of him instead.

“That’s right. We need to go…all of us,” I said, giving him a severe look.

Mason turned around and looked at Noah. Noah picked himself up off the ground. His face was fine, but his arms were scratched and bleeding.

“You two aren’t related. And those women you’re with are bad news. Not to mention her and her scheming ways. My parents have a lot, and you’re not taking what’s mine,” he said in shaky breaths, struggling to explain himself.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mason asked. “Beating Kendall senseless isn’t going to fix anything. And if you think think we’re such bad news, then why would you even want to mess with us?”

Noah shook his head, checking his face for blood. “I don’t want you around my family.”

Mason nodded and grabbed me by the arm again. “Fine, not a problem.”

Lainey chased after us. “Are you guys in trouble? If you’re in trouble just say so. I know my parents would help you out.”

Mason laughed, holding an edge of anger. “Lainey, shut your mouth. Just let them leave,” Noah called after her.

“You’re just kids, we could help you,” she begged. I looked at her, wondering what it was she thought she could possibly do for us.

“Lainey, you’re a nice girl, but there’s nothing you can do for us,” Mason told her. He stopped walking, at a loss for what more he could say.

“Our parents have a lot of money. If you’re in trouble because of those women, just say so and they’ll help you. I know they will,” she said again. Noah stood behind her in disbelief.

Mason released his grip on my arm and got in front of Lainey. He stared down at her. “Leave us alone. You don’t know anything about what’s going on.”

“But there are things all over the news. And according to all of you, you all were near those parts where these things happened,” she spilled.

I was blown away. Did I hear what I thought I did? That Lainey and Noah believed we were criminals on the run.

“Lainey, shut up already. If they are, do you think it’s good to point it out to them?” Noah yelled at her. He started pacing the forest floor.

“I think they’re good people. I don’t want anything to happen to them,” she said.

Mason sighed. “There are a lot of bad people out there, Lainey. I know Kendall and I are not them. I appreciate you and your worrying about us, but Kendall and I are going to be fine. And we’ll be out of here as soon as tonight,” he said.

“What about you, Kendall?” Lainey asked. Noah looked at me, suddenly seeming concerned.

“I think we’ve outstayed our welcome. And I think you’re a nice girl, but Mason and I are and always will be okay,” I said, looking away from the disappointment on her face.

“Well, let’s head back then. I’m sorry I got all crazy back there,” he said. “You guys really need to watch yourselves.”

Mason threw his arm around me. The cat was out of the bag now, so he had every right to hug me now.

We didn’t admit to anything. But we all silently agreed that we understood what was going on. Noah didn’t want his family harmed because of us. He wanted us gone, so that was what we would do. I knew agreeing to leave was enough to keep him silent. And, if not, we’d always find a way to stay one step ahead.

JUNE 28

TH

THE NIGHT WAS AS DARK as tar. Little specks lit the night sky. I watched them silently as I leaned against the door frame. It was almost two in the morning, and we were about to leave.

I could hear the bullfrogs croaking through the night air. Their sound soothing rather than annoying, it fit right in with the country life Roger and his family lived. Every moment was even better than the last in this place.

I thought to myself if I ever got to choose a way of life and where to live it, this would be perfect. I would love to live in an old country home, secluded from the sounds of the city, with my family. How great it would be to breathe in the fresh air on a daily basis and to live a simple, peaceful life.

I laid eyes on Roger as he walked across the lawn. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes were filled with questions and concern. I knew he would never have the guts to ask the questions he wanted to ask.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he said, climbing the stairs.

“Evening, Roger,” I said softly, keeping my eyes on the stars—those very stars that I’d wished upon a million times or more. “I heard you guys are heading out,” he said, joining me. He looked up at the stars as well, running his hands along the railing, not speaking, just enjoying the view.

“Yeah, we’re leaving. It’s been nice. I really like your home,” I said. It wasn’t easy for me to make small talk.

“What do you like about it?” He leaned against the railing.

“It’s relaxing. And really pretty,” I said with a shrug.

Roger moved past my compliment, I could see in his eyes he was about to burst if he didn’t say something. I swallowed, afraid to hear what he had to say. I knew that Noah was more than likely only an earshot away and Mason was probably crouched underneath the porch waiting to attack if he tried anything.

“Lainey came to me concerned about you and Mason,” he said finally. He crossed his arms over his chest and studied me very carefully.

I sighed, not sure what to say, but I looked him straight in the eyes. “Did she say why?”

“That’s not important. The important thing is, I wanted you to know if there’s anything you need to tell me, you can do it right now.”

Silence crept into the moment, curling its fingers around us. We both stood very still. I didn’t know what to say.