“Because if we don’t, we’re never going to make it out of here.”

I wanted to ask if that was such a bad thing, but I grinned and slipped free. After shoving two doughnuts in my mouth, I went and found Rhage hiding under the bed. It took some coaxing to get him out. Eventually I had to wiggle his toy mouse in his face and then I snatched him up once his upper body appeared.

He was not a happy camper, struggling in my arms as I walked out into the living room. I kept his legs pinned.

Brock arched a brow when he saw me. He’d already taken out the super-cute paisley print weekender bag. “You doing okay over there?”

“Yes,” I sighed, walking to where his carrier was. “He’s just an ass.”

He chuckled. “Need help?”

“I got it.” Having a ton of experience at shoving the cat into the carrier, I knew I just had to keep him from grabbing onto the sides. Once I had him in, I tossed his toy mouse inside and latched the door. A second later, Rhage’s disgruntled face was pressed against the bars.

“It’s like cat prison,” Brock commented.

“This cat needs to go to prison.” Rhage hissed as I picked up his carrier. “Ready?”

Brock’s grin was small, but it twisted up my insides. “Been ready.”

* * *

Normally, being a passenger during a trip that was longer than an hour would put me right to sleep, but I was more interested in talking to Brock than I was in dozing. We’d chatted about how we were going to broach the subject about converting some of the space into a dance studio. Avery and Teresa had gotten early numbers back to me, and I felt confident enough with them that we were ready to talk to my dad. Then our subjects turned to less serious things.

He peppered me with questions ranging from working at the insurance firm to what the last book I was reading was about. About halfway through the trip, I got a text message from Abby.

My stomach dipped as I read it and glanced over at Brock. “It looks like a bunch of people are going to Mona’s tonight. Abby knows I’ll be in town, so she’s invited me.”

Half of Brock’s face was hidden by the cap he wore. “Do you want to go?”

I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t been to Mona’s since the shooting. I had no idea what it would be like going back there, but I wanted to see Abby and everyone else. I planned on doing so anyway, but underneath the unease was a trickle of excitement. “Do you?”

“Not up to me,” he replied.

“That’s not real helpful.”