“You two are a lot alike, you know that?” he said, a smile on his face.

“You better not be talking about Dad.”

He laughed. “Martin.”

I shook my head. “That’s so not true.”

“Whatever you say, Kare.” He lay back on the porch and closed his eyes.

“Anyway, enough about Kael. I’m happy you have a job, regardless of how I feel about your boss.” I leaned back on my elbows and scooched next to Austin, resting my head close to his. We were almost kids again.

“Thanks,” he said. “I won’t bring him around if you don’t want me to, but he’s really helping me out.”

I didn’t know what I wanted when it came to Kael. I stared at the sky, begging for the stars to come out and play. I wanted to know that I could count on them to help me find my way. I wanted to be certain of something.

“Or we could all hang out, unless that’s too awkward for you.” Austin’s suggestion was jarring, and my defenses kicked in.

“It’s fine. I’m seeing someone anyway.” The words slid from my tongue, as devious as the lie itself.

“You are?” he asked.

“Yeah. I don’t want to talk about it.” I wasn’t a good liar, so I didn’t want any questions.

“Okay, seems a bit random, but sure.” He nodded, seeing right through me even with his eyes shut.

It would have been totally out of character to have another guy lined up already, but it was even stranger for me to lie about the whole thing when I knew damn well Austin could sense when I wasn’t telling the truth.

“So you won’t be mad that he’s picking me up here like any minute?” He said the words fast, as if it would change their meaning.

“Austin.” I whined his name, twisted it around my tongue. “Fine. I’m going inside. You really need to get a car.”

“I will, now that I have a job.” He beamed, easing my pain a little.

I heard the roar of Kael’s truck without seeing it. My body didn’t react at the same lightning speed as my mind; I needed to force myself to go inside the house before he turned onto my street. I wanted to avoid another run-in. I wasn’t ready to face him, especially after hearing the kind things he was doing for my brother. I needed time—a long time—before I had to see Kael again.