“Keenan’s insane,” I said, gripping the steering wheel. “I’m tired of his stupidity and random accusations. Someone’s got to put a stop to this bullshit, once and for all.”

“I would’ve punched him if you hadn’t arrived, maybe that would’ve helped.”

I scoffed, couldn’t help taking some of my emotions out on Ash. “And get a more busted head in the process? That would make him happy.” I let out a wry laugh and drove on in silence, thinking how Keenan had calmed down after Ash had left Newdale. More than once I’d wondered if it was because he’d forced Ash to scribble the hasty goodbye note before taking him into the woods somewhere and leaving him to die. In my darkest moments, the thought had almost been easier to cope with than knowing Ash left of his own free will. But now that he was home, there was no way the pair of them would ever call a truce. Keenan wouldn’t let this feud go, even if Ash whooped his ass multiple times over.

When we got home, Ash tried fobbing me off again as I insisted I look at his wound, but I didn’t give in. Once in the bathroom he sat on the floor, leaning against the tub as I fetched bandages and first-aid supplies from the cabinet under the sink. I dabbed an antiseptic-soaked cotton bud on the gash, holding firm as he winced and cursed under his breath.

“It’s a neat cut and there’s nothing in it,” I said. “Barely an inch and not as deep as I thought. You don’t need stitches. I’ll use these strips instead.”

“Good, because I’m not going to the hospital. I’ve had enough people poking me with needles to last a lifetime.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Look who’s talking. You fell off your bicycle and refused to see a doctor.”

“My accident,” I said with a gasp, willing him to go on, to recall everything.

“We were outside,” he said slowly. “You skidded on the gravel and cut your leg when you crashed into Dad’s garden shovel. It was my fault. I’d left it lying on the ground, and it made a really deep gash, right here.” He leaned in, reached out and touched my calf with the tip of his finger, making my skin tingle. My breath became shallow as I watched him furrow his brow in concentration, almost as if doing so would make more memories flow from my body to his.