“God, I hate that thing!”

“Yeah, well, just be careful. It should drain the water, but you want to make sure you go a little slower on it so—”

“So I don’t hydroplane. I know how to fucking drive, Jackson!”

I threw my hands up, and Sawyer snorted.

“Okay, I’m coming up to the bridge,” she said after what felt like forever. “And I’m on it.”

She’d be up in the air for two-point-eight miles.

“This thing is moving,” she sang.

I could almost see her biting her lip and gripping the wheel. Why the hell weren’t we there? What good were we all the way down here when our families needed us?

“How’s the bridge?” Sawyer asked.

“I’ll tell you when I’m off it.”

He lifted his eyebrows.

Tense moments passed where all I could do was stare at the phone and pray.

Sawyer flashed his phone. The winds were up to ninety-nine.

“I’m off! Thank you, sweet baby Jesus!”

My shoulders sagged in relief.

“It really pushed me around up there, but I’m okay. It’s getting hard to see, though. The windshield wipers can’t keep up!”

“Okay. Now before you bite my head off, do you remember asking me about the road washing out? The day I took you to Avon?”

“Yeah. That’s where the road’s close to the beach, right?”

“You got it. Listen to me, baby. If that road is washed out, turn around and go back. You have no idea how deep and fast that water will be. It would be like driving the truck straight into the ocean. Do you understand me?”

Silence.

“Morgan?”

“I understand. I’m not leaving Finley to get washed away, Jackson.”

“I can’t lose either of you.” My head dropped.

Sawyer put his hand on my shoulder.

“You won’t. I’m going to make it in time. I promise. The surge isn’t up that far. It can’t be. Now hush and let me drive.”

But it wouldn’t be the surge. That section of road would go down to the waves.

“Holy Lord, that water is creeping up. I’m at Rodanthe,” she called out the update.

“Okay.” I didn’t want her to think she was alone. My nails dug into my arms.

“Shit!” she shouted.

“Morgan?” Pretty sure I drew blood.

“The wind.” Another minute passed. “I’m okay. The wind just pushed me clean onto the shoulder. I’m okay.”

If I never heard the sound of rain again, I’d be just fine with it.

“Avon! Oh my God, I think that’s a porta-potty! There’s stuff flying everywhere! Shit, there’s water on the road, but it’s not up to the curb yet.”

I was going to vomit any second now.

“Leaving Avon.”

She was getting close. “Do you know if the road is still there?” I whispered to Sawyer.