Fast Car | Escapes #1

Chapter 22: Brayden

I'd always thought the hardest thing I'd ever do was love Jenny from afar and end up watching her go to someone else.

Turns out I was wrong.

The hardest thing I'd ever do was fall in love and have to leave her behind. 

No, it wouldn't be forever, and we were still... something. We'd never defined what we were, but we were together in some way, and that would have to be enough for now. That, and the memory of how soft she felt against me, like something fragile that I could have easily broken. 

Was I wrong for kissing her like that?

I rubbed my face as I watched the asphalt slip past. Guilt was weighing on me. She said to not make things harder than they already were. That wasn't my intention. All I wanted was one last kiss before we went our separate ways. I should have known, though, how it would make her feel. What was it that she quoted? Parting is such sweet sorrow? I got it now. 

The miles wore on, and eventually I found myself getting tired. I pulled over into a hotel about halfway home and stayed the night. However, instead of sleeping, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on back in Denver. Were Jenny and her mom clicking like I thought? Did her new stepdad welcome her? I kicked myself for not staying to meet him. The last thing I wanted was for someone else to abuse her. Though, judging by her mom, he was likely a nice guy.

At some point during my restless night, my thoughts turned towards what was likely waiting for me at home. I was done with being the family pariah, and done with my cousin Charlie, so I had punched him for talking about Jenny like she was something to be used and thrown away. At the time, I felt justified in doing it. Even my parents didn't say anything when it happened. Now... 

Now I was starting to feel the gravity of everything I was going home to. I was coming down from the high I was on thanks to Jenny, and facing reality felt like hitting the ground. What if the police were looking for me? What if Charlie decided to press charges when he saw me again? But if either scenario were the case, wouldn't I have been picked up already?

By the time the morning sun was filtering in the window, I was already packed and ready to get back on the road. The night had been long and I was even more tired than when I checked in, but I couldn't stay any longer. I had to get home to put my mind at rest. 

I stuck my bag in the trunk and got back behind the wheel. Sometime later, I found myself pulling into my driveway. The miles in between were a blur. I wasn't exactly sure how I made it home, but I did. 

Everything looked just how I'd left it. Mom's car was in the garage, and Charlie's car was pulled up near the guest house that was slightly behind the main building. Dad's car was gone, which I knew meant he was at work. As usual. If he was home, I would have been worried. 

I got out and retrieved my bag, looking forward to lying on my bed for a while. There wasn't anything quite like lying on your own bed after spending a long time away from home. When I went into the garage, though, a squawk of walkie-talkie noise made me jump. A hand grabbed my arm and I dropped my suitcase. 

"Brayden Milton?" asked an authoritative voice that I recognized. 

I turned and looked a former classmate dead in the eye. He looked very different in his police uniform. "Yes?"

"I need you to come down to the station with me."

"Am I under arrest?"

He frowned at me. "Should I be arresting you for something?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, but I need to know."

"I would have read you your Miranda Rights if I were arresting you. I still need you to come on down to the station, though."