Pucker Up (A Damsels of Distress Novel) by Gates R. A

Author:Gates, R. A. [Gates, R. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

*****

In no time at all, they had Thane

up, in clean pants, and helped him walk

across the street to the bus station. After

saying goodbye to Sparky, again, they

entered the depot. She and Thane sat in

the uncomfortable plastic chairs littered

throughout the waiting area, while

Garren purchased the bus tickets to

Sacramento. Soon, this would all be

over and they could return home.

Moments later Garren walked

back, a frown on his face. “How much

cash do you have?”

“Why?”

she

asked.

Thane

assured her before they left that they had

enough money to pay for this trip ten

times over.

“Because the credit card I

swiped from my mom isn't working. So,

if we want tickets, we need cash.”

“What do you mean 'swiped'?

Didn't you tell her what you guys were

planning?” Uneasiness crept up her

spine. Just when things were starting to

go their way.

Both of them stayed silent as they

looked everywhere but at her.

She inhaled deeply in an attempt

to stamp down the urge to strangle their

necks. “Does anyone back home know

what we're doing?”

Garren huffed. “Are you crazy?

They think I'm camping with Keith for

spring break.”

“I told my dad I was spending

the week at my mom’s house.” Thane

smiled meekly and shrugged.

Her heart sank as deep as the

hole they dug themselves in. She pulled

out all the cash she had in her bag and

handed it to Garren. He took the money

and headed back to the ticket counter.

Hopefully, it was enough to get them to

Sacramento. How they were going to get

back to Alaska, she hadn't a clue.

Thane stretched his legs out as

best he could and slouched down in the

seat. He hadn't slept since they were on

the beach. Dark circles were already

visible under his eyes. It didn't take long

before he was snoring.

She surveyed the large room for

any signs the Eradicators broke free and

followed them. The duct tape should

hold but they could still make enough

noise to attract attention. Hopefully that

didn’t happen until the three of them

were safely on a bus to Sacramento.

She reached her arms overhead

to stretch her aching back, but drew them

back when the movement re-opened the

c ut. I can’t believe how sloppy I’ve

gotten. A sock from her pack made a

suitable bandage, at least until Garren

came back to watch over Thane and she

could visit the restroom to clean up.

That fight was too close, she

could’ve been caught. Or worse, Thane

could’ve been killed. What was she

thinking,

leaving

the

safety

of

Salmagundi? Her gaze shifted to each

point of entry and the few other people

waiting in the lobby. Her leg nervously

bounced as she kept an eye out for any

danger lurking in the shadows. Maybe

they should go back.

Back to what? A town that’s

losing its protections a little every

day? No, stick with the plan.

“Hey,” Garren whispered into

her ear as he took the empty chair beside

her.

She flinched at his sudden

appearance, berating herself for letting

him surprise her like that.

“We only had enough money to

get to Redding, California. The bus

leaves in half an hour.” He handed her a

ticket and pocketed the other two.

“Then what?” she groaned. “That

still leaves us at least another 150 or so

miles until we get to Sacramento.”

“At least we're getting closer.”

Garren fidgeted in his seat before resting

his ankle over his knee.

“Seriously? We'll still be stuck

and broke. I don't see how our situation

has improved.

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