Miles from Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti

Author:Cynthia Ruchti
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Nothing’s changed? Everything’s changed.

Connor stood too long gripping the door handle. Both Judah and Mallory were looking at him as if he had sprouted purple acne.

He pulled himself into the Subaru. Time to knock off a few hundred more hash marks.

chapter twenty-one

Judah, get off your phone.” Connor tried to dial back on his volume mid-sentence, unsuccessfully.

“You wanna say that a little louder?” Judah said, holding his phone toward him. “I’m texting my social worker. But I could send her a voicemail instead, if you’d like to talk to her yourself.”

“Boys,” Mallory said. “Apologies both ways?”

“Sorry,” Connor said.

“Sorry. Not sorry.”

“Judah.”

“Okay, okay. Sorry, Connor. But I really am texting my—”

Connor drew a deep breath. “I know. And I really am sorry I snapped.” How is it that Mallory could calm the kid, even when correcting him? But every conversation Connor had with him turned ugly. Or started out ugly and went south from there.

Not unlike—Connor repositioned his hands on the wheel—most communication with Mallory the past few months. If he blamed stress, he was still a loser. What kind of man was he if stress did all the talking for him? His personal trainer had helped him conquer posture problems he’d had since childhood. Connor had worked hard to undo the damage of a weak core. But he had no power over job stress? Sounded like a software glitch. Correctable, but you have to apply the protocol.

Especially now. Especially with Mallory agreeing with him that the only smart thing was for them to split up for good. Especially now that he was no longer sure.

Perfectly rotten timing. They had zero opportunities to be alone. He had zero idea how he would even begin the conversation. “Mallory, I’ve been thinking.”

So many ways to finish that sentence. I’ve been thinking I’m an idiot. I’ve been thinking I was hasty. No. Who uses the word hasty anymore? I’ve been thinking. Period. Should have tried that Day One.

In his defense …

A mile’s worth of hash marks ticked past before he realized that nothing following “in his defense” sounded adequate. Excuses, but not reasons. Reasons, but not reason enough for him to have given up on them.

“Hey, Connor.” Judah waved his phone toward him again.

If this is another threat, buddy …. Assume the best out of that kid. Assume the best. Where did that come from? “What is it, Judah?”

“We are picking up some major traction with the videos.”

“We are?” Nice to have some good news for once.

“The sunrise thing with Mallory gave us a boost.” He turned to face her. “Nice work.”

“It wasn’t work,” she said.

“People are asking questions. Trying to guess where we’re headed next. And …”

Connor glanced his way at the four-way stop. “And what?”

“Nothing.”

“Judah, come on. Spill the tea.”

“A segment of the population of humans following us think I’m … cute. Eww.”

Mallory leaned forward, her hand near Connor’s shoulder. “Is that a problem for us? Could it be?”

“That the world thinks Judah’s adorable?” He laughed. He’d needed the break from heavy thoughts.

“No,” she said.

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