Echoes in the Wind (21 page)

Chapter 17

“Got any coffee?” Shane moaned from the backseat.

Darla refused to answer. She didn’t even flinch. Her eyes stayed glued to the road, fists clutched the steering wheel. So it begins. The moment she’d been looking forward to all night. Amid the snores, hiccups, burps, and other bodily noises men frequently expelled during their sleep time, she’d concluded she disliked them both. She wasn’t sure why she was mad at Shane, except she was.

Therefore, she no longer wished to travel in either
of their company. For proof of her newfound decision, she’d resolved once the two were awake, she’d inform them they’d need to find another mode of transportation. Neither would be finishing this trip with her.

Shane managed to rise, then fell back against the seat. He covered his face with his hands. “My head feels like it’s about to explode.”

Eric stirred and opened his eyes. He blinked at the morning sun. “Where are we?” He stared out the window, shielding his view with a hand.

Darla remained quiet. She gripped the wheel firmer and stomped on the gas. The SUV lurched as the automatic gears shifted, pitching the men forward, provoking grunts from each before she let her foot up. Like she’d be sorry for either of them.

This trip was supposed to be a nice and easy visit with her parents. Her vehicle wasn’t the new meeting place for a has-been teen idol and his drunken manager. She couldn’t fathom this guy’s intentions. Or her own. She was ready to give herself to Eric, to feel something for him. And he was so callous. He indicated she should be interested in his friend instead. If this was Eric’s way to detach from her after she’d helped him escape from his possible perilous predicament, then he could handle his own fights from now on. Bloodied or not.

Eric leaned across the middle, moving close to her ear. He spoke in a low, soft voice, “Still mad at me, luv?”

She stubbornly forced her eyes to stay ahead. She refused to take his bait and disregarded his charm.

Shane shifted forward and wedged his head between them. “What’d you do to get the silent treatment?”

“Apparently—” Eric groaned as he sat back into his seat. “I broke a rule.”

“One?” she inquired.

“Good. You are speaking to me.”

She gave a loud huff and stuck her tongue between her teeth and lightly bit down to make sure she wouldn’t talk to either of them.

“Most women will usually tell you off when you’ve done something they don’t like,” Shane snickered. “Several times. You’re in some deep shit if she’s not talking to you, man. How’s the arm, by the way? Heard about you getting shot.”

“Oozing. Now about Darla. Maybe you can help me. You’re more experienced in dealing with—” He stole a quick glance in her direction. “Smart women. I evidently don’t understand the intelligent type. I hang with girls who are out for a good time. They’re uninhibited, not so uptight.”

Darla shot him a cutting glare and hissed through her teeth. Did she hear right? Eric sought advice from Shane. About her? In front of her? This whole smart thing certainly had his boxers twisted into a gigantic knot. Could she help she actually used her brain? And she wasn’t uptight. If she were speaking to either of them, she’d unload a huge piece of her mind on them.

“Right. I don’t know her well, but my impression of Darla is she a lot more refined than the kind of woman you hang with. Intelligences like hers require finesse and I’m guessing she can be a little high maintenance,” Shane explained. “I’m not an expert on academic sorts, although I’ve dated a couple. I was married to one of those party types, if you recall. She was into the club scene and had no problem doing crazy stuff.” He snickered. “As a matter of fact, she used to be famous for hitting places without underwear and flashing the crowd.”

“I remember.”

“Part of the reason we’re not married anymore.”

Both men laughed.

“Wait a minute.” Darla jerked the SUV to the edge of the road and braked hard. The car skidded to a halt, throwing them into the sides of the vehicle. “Just wait.” She rotated and pointed a finger at Eric, then Shane. “Stop. Stop talking. You two are not
doing—the thing.” She spun back to the front.

Eric looked at her. “What thing?”

“The guy thing.”

“We’re not doing anything guyish,” Shane defended.

“We’re only passing time until you calm down.”

She held up a hand. “Enough of that. Do not discuss me like I’m not here and don’t—wait.” She checked Shane through the rearview mirror. “Your wife goes to places without underwear—and shows people. That’s disgusting.”

“Ex-wife,” Shane corrected. “And what’d I do to piss you off?”

“You stowed away in my car, dead drunk, scaring the bejeezus out of us. At first we thought you were—”

Eric stretched across the seat, touched her thigh, and gave his head a slight shake.

“Someone else,” she finished. She couldn’t believe those two. This conversation made her more determined to carry out her plan. She wouldn’t feel guilty, either. “I’m dumping you off at the next town. Both of you. Then you can talk guy stuff all you want, about whoever you want while you figure out how to get wherever you’re going.” She should derive some level of comfort from making her intentions clear, yet somehow she didn’t think she’d be able to carry out her threat. Still, she maintained her bravado. “You’re both lucky I’m not throwing you out now.” She glanced at Shane. “And I am not high maintenance.”

“You kind of are.” Shane looked from the front to the back window. “You can’t drop us off here. We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

“Exactly.”

Eric leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. “May I remind you of the bullet in my arm and possibly a killer on my tail, plus he’s got a hangover from hell?”

“That’s my problem?” She directed the car onto the highway and punched the gas. “You two deserve each other.”

“You’re intense when you get angry,” Eric said. “You just say whatever mean thing that pops into your head, don’t you?”

“Ooohhh, you wouldn’t believe how much I’m not saying.”

Several minutes ticked by, no one spoke. Finally Shane broke the silence. “Where are we going anyway?”

“Texas,” Darla clipped.

“And we’re heading that way, why?”

“As you are aware, a murderer is after Blaine and me. We believe it best to disappear until he’s caught. And we’re traveling in different directions to hopefully throw him off.”

“Understood.” Shane stretched his arms overhead, linked his fingers, and rested his hands on top of his head. “Would you consider not dumping us here? I’m sure you probably have a right to be pissed—”

“Probably?” she interrupted, still not in a merciful mood.

“Okay. Eric did something crappy to you, no surprise there, but in my defense, I’m here because I got some great news and I had to go out and celebrate alone.”

Eric curved around the seat to get a better view of Shane. “What kind of good news?”

“Word is out. You and Blaine are behind “Eyes and Lies.” No backlash, man, the song is off the charts. More radio stations have requested a copy and the downloads are going wild.”

Eric pounded the dashboard. “Yes. Finally some respect.” He leaned back and laughed. “You’re the man, Shane.”

“The music is all yours. I just got it out there. I plan to make a harder push when I return to Scotland. You guys seriously need to start thinking about returning to the UK for a mini-tour. I’m sure I can find some funds for something small, especially now.”

“We’ll talk as soon as we get back to California.” Eric waited a beat. “By the way, how did you end up in the backseat?”

“That’s a good question.” Shane remained quiet for a minute. “Yesterday morning—yesterday? Right? After the news, I searched for you and Blaine, but neither of you answered your phones, so I had a celebratory drink alone. Though I may have had more than one. Then I tried to find you. I remembered Darla and figured you might be at her place. The next thing I recall is me waking up here a few minutes ago.”

“I’ve had a night or two like that.” Eric chuckled. “Woke up in some bed and—”

Darla’s gaze snapped in his direction.

“I’m not supposed to be talking, am I?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Okay, but one thing. If you’re letting him stay, would you reconsider not dropping me off either?”

She pounded on the accelerator.

“You press that pedal much more, you’re gonna stick your foot right through the floorboard and onto the road.” She pressed harder. “It’s your floor, though.”

“Can we at least get some coffee before you throw us out?” Shane let his arms fall to his sides. “And I need to use the bathroom.”

Eric bent toward her again. “I know you’re not my biggest fan at the moment, but I’d like a cup too. A smoke would be great, also.”

She glowered at him.

“Would it help if we said we were sorry?”

It’d help a little. Though she wasn’t sure she was ready to forgive just yet, her anger did melt a tad.

“We really are sorry. I guessed it wouldn’t be a good idea to piss you off, and believe me, it never was my intent to do so.” Eric looked at Shane. “Nor was it his aim to upset you either. We do appreciate what you’re doing for us.”

Darla didn’t speak but glanced at him long enough to see how the morning light molded a darkened outline across his face, the shadows intensified under his eyes. He gazed at her through sunken sockets, his skin beneath his unshaven cheeks appeared thin and tight.

Her expression transformed from anger to concern. Throughout the night, she’d been so mad at him she’d barely taken notice of how restless he’d been. He drank several bottles of water, downing them in quick gulps, and he’d gotten into the pain relievers and prescription meds numerous times.

“I’ll drive and you can rest a little?” Eric popped his pill bottle open. “After Shane gets some coffee in him, his hangover will be better. He’ll take a shift too. Give you more time to sleep. We’ll get you home quicker if we don’t need to stop overnight. You’ll be rid of us faster.”

As they approached the Texas border, she agreed to keep them with her, although wordlessly, and turned into the first convenience store she came upon. They needed gas and lots of coffee. Her stomach growled. And maybe some food. She hadn’t taken advantage of the sandwiches she’d packed last night. Now she wanted breakfast.

Eric would benefit from a little nourishment and Shane certainly needed sustenance. Neither spoke a word when she stopped at a pump. Both crawled out of the SUV creaking from their respective ailments. Eric put on his jacket to cover his blood-stained shirt. A few light spots were on her seats, although she chose to keep quiet. They strolled across the parking lot, leaving her to fill the tank.

Both toted large paper cups when they returned. Eric puffed on a cigarette, carrying a bag. They walked directly to her.

“Coffee and breakfast.” Eric extinguished his smoke, and handed her the sack, then took over the gas pumping duties. “Peace offering.”

Shane held out a cup to her. She accepted both without speaking, ready for some food, and a little nap. She set her meal inside the car, ambled to the rear for a toothbrush, and trotted into the store. When she returned, she found the men seated in the front. Eric was on the driver’s side, insisting he was okay to drive, though Darla had her doubts. Shane relaxed in the passenger seat.

Darla climbed into the back and buckled up. After a sip of coffee, she opened her bag and found muffins. With the paper quickly peeled away, she took a large bite and released a satisfied hum.

“Why aren’t either of you eating? You both need food.”

Eric turned the key and put the vehicle into gear then drove the car out of the station and onto the highway. He plowed into his coat pocket and took out another smaller bag, tossing it into Shane’s lap.

Shane lifted the sack high enough for her to get a good look. “We brought you a girly breakfast.”

“As a thank-you for not leaving us in the middle of nowhere,” Eric interjected.

“We got—” Shane put a hand inside the bag to pull out a stick of jerky and held the rod up. “—a manly breakfast for us.”

“Meat and coffee. By the time we get through Texas, you two will be high fiving and smacking each other on the ass.”

Darla slept, although not soundly because of the goings on in the front. The guys carried on a lively conversation with bursts of intermittent laughter. They certainly were good friends. She was surprised how close they were. They almost had a bromance between them.

She finally gave up on a nap and sat upright. They drove across the Texas border, then merged onto interstate ten, rolling past bare plains and mesquite mixed grasslands. Clock reset to Central Standard Time, Eric found a desolate rest area and stopped when the digital readout in the dash displayed straight up noon. He announced he was hungry. He poured out another mix of painkillers before he’d exited the SUV.

Darla removed the sandwiches, then handed them to Shane. After, she brought out chips and fruit to give to Eric. She picked up three drinks and carried them to where the guys were waiting. They set their meal on a concrete picnic table and spread the food.

Shane opened the plastic baggie and wiggled out the sandwich. He glanced at Eric. “How is your gunshot wound?”

“Better.”

“You sure? Looks like you’re bleeding pretty heavy.”

Darla raised her legs to spin on her butt, then she put her feet down, and jumped up to inspect his injury. A loud gasp escaped from her throat. The entire side of his shirt was covered in darkened rust, his upper arm smeared with blood.

“You’re a mess. I should have insisted you let me take better care of this.”

Eric glanced at the stain. “A little blood will spread a long way. It’s not so bad.”

“This is bad. When we’re finished here, I’ll clean and redress the wound.” She returned to her seat. “And you’ll change.”

He looked up at her.

“Shirts. Blood on my leather seats? Not happening.”

“I’ll change.”

“Lucky for you, whoever shot you has a sorry aim.” Shane snapped the top of his soda. “Have you and Blaine come up with anyone who wants the group dead?”