And shit. It feels so good walking here with her. So peaceful. Like in another life, it would be day instead of night, and our bags would have homework instead of clothes in them, and everything would be fine, and nothing would hurt. But that’s a lie. And I’m done with lies, so.

“I’m not staying at my sister’s, Peak.”

“Okay,” she says, and I almost believe her, until she says, “where should we go, then?” She pulls out her phone. “We could go to Frankie’s or head to Jayla’s basement for a few days. Her parents never go down there.” I stop as we near the parking garage, and she looks up at me, confused. “What are you doing?”

“Borrowing something we need.”

I cut across the street to where the valet parking is. I pull out a parking stub from my wallet and hand it to the attendant. Gray forgot it in Dad’s car when he dropped her at the airport. I swiped it from him so it didn’t get lost while she was gone.

“Normally, Ms. Everlasting has our driver deliver her car to her apartment,” the valet says, frowning.

“She asked me to get it. She has a late flight tonight, and I have to get her.” He looks me up and down, like he’s not sure he should do what I’m asking, but then seems to decide I’m all right, or maybe that he doesn’t care either way, and radios another attendant to bring the car around.

Gray’s car appears a few minutes later, a shiny new Audi. The valet hops out, leaving the door open and even popping the trunk. He takes the bags from me and drops them in. Peak eyes me slowly before getting in the car.

I jump when the valet shuts the trunk.

“Is everything all right, sir?” he asks, coming around for his tip.

“Yeah.” And god, I hope that’s true. I really hope that’s true.

I slide into the driver’s seat, adjusting the rearview mirror and the blowers for the heat. Okay. I can do this. I had six hours of driver’s ed last summer when I stayed with my aunt and cousin in Michigan because my mom needed a break from me. It was the best summer of my life. Best months of my life, really. And suddenly, I know just where we can go. She would definitely let me stay, probably Peak too. Maybe Peak could even fly back for her audition. Maybe it could be okay.

“What are you doing?” Peak asks, looking at me with wide eyes as she buckles up.