I cross my arms, feeling a little silly for getting out at all. There’s one shovel and three of us, and Brecken clearly has the upper-body strength to get the job done quicker than Harper or me.

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

Brecken shrugs. “I don’t know. Stand over there and look pretty or something.”

“Is it 1972 in your mind?” Harper asks, barking a laugh.

“Made you laugh, didn’t it?” Brecken asks.

“Not even a chuckle here,” I say.

“Come on partner,” he says. “You and I have been through things. Help me lighten the mood a little, will you?”

Harper shakes her head like she’s dealing with a younger brother who doesn’t know better. But Brecken should know better. And I can’t help but wonder if there’s a vein of truth running underneath all these shitty comments.

Harper sighs. “Good intent or not, you’d be wise to check that kind of chatter at the door in medical school.”

Brecken tenses, looking down. “It’s not going to be a problem.”

I laugh. “Just don’t call us when you end up in an HR office one day.”

“Duly noted. Let’s start digging.”

Harper frowns, the wind blowing a sheet of her dark hair across one eye. “I feel like we’re never getting home. Do you think I should have…”

“No. You’re doing the best you can and you know it.” Brecken squeezes her shoulder. “Okay?”

“Okay,” she says.

I feel like I’ve gone invisible and wish it was true. I hold my breath, hoping they don’t notice me, because the long look they’re sharing feels private. Maybe Josh is right, and this isn’t the first time they’ve met.

But why the hell would they hide it?

Brecken pulls out his phone to hand it to Harper. “Hold this so I don’t drop it?”

I brighten at the sight of it, realizing this could be a good opportunity to call home. It’s been a while since I called, and I’m sure my mom is having a nervous breakdown.

“Brecken, can I use your phone to call home?”

“Help yourself,” he says. “Battery’s low, fair warning. And I’m going to need the charger when we’re back in the car.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

He unlocks it and I start dialing my mom’s number, freezing before I finish the last two digits. I can’t leave her hanging like this, but calling her? What happens then? Do I tell her about the route change? The pileups? The fact that the highway is closed?