“Okay. I guess I’ll just see you tomorrow then,” he says, sounding reluctant as he makes his way to the parking lot.

The thought of having to go through all of this again causes my headache to return, and I close my eyes, massaging my temples. It’s going to take ages to settle into this new routine and relearn how to be myself. As if I even know who that is.

A vehicle rolls to a stop in front of me, and I straighten, opening my eyes and adjusting to the bright light once more. Audrey’s silver Corolla is parked next to the curb, and relief washes over me knowing it won’t be long until I’m back home and in relatively familiar territory.

I pull on the door handle and slide into the car, exhaling heavily as I set my backpack on my lap.

“Thanks for picking me up,” I say, reaching over to buckle my seat belt.

“No problem.”

That voice definitely does not belong to my sister. Much to my dismay, Parker, wearing a baseball cap, a red flannel, and an apologetic grimace, sits in the driver’s seat.

“What are you doing here?” I demand. He’s the last person I want to be alone with right now.

“Audrey got called in to cover a shift at the restaurant last minute,” he explains. “I swear it wasn’t my idea. But I’m the only one around.”

I briefly consider getting out of the car, until I remember it’s highly likely I would get lost on the way home, and it’s too far to walk anyway. Sighing in defeat, I lean back against my seat, fidgeting with my fingers and glowering out the window.

“Fine.”

He pulls away from the curb after gaining my reluctant approval. Parker doesn’t say anything until we’re a fair distance from the school, and it dawns on me that we’re heading in the opposite direction of the house. I sit up straight, feeling a shudder of unease.

“Where are we going?”

He peers at me out of the corner of his eye. “While we’re at it, I thought I’d show you one of your favorite places,” he explains softly. “It might help.”

“Okay,” I mumble, despite knowing that spending more time together is an incredibly stupid thing to do. “But make it quick.”

“You’re going to love it, trust me.”