Page 22 of Dotted Lines (Runaway 5)

I hoped that once Karson built up a little in his checking account, he’d stop stealing.

“Have you and Aria decided where you’ll go?” Karson asked as we set out down the road.

I nodded. “We were actually thinking Las Vegas.”

“Sin City. I like it.”

He liked it? Really? Ask. Just ask. I took a deep breath, listening to our footsteps on the pavement. “Would you, um . . . would you want to come with us? Because that would be cool. If you want.”

“Thanks, but actually, I think I’m going to explore for a while.”

No. My heart crashed to the street, splattering blood over my dirty shoes. But I forced a smile. “E-exploring sounds fun. Are you going to Montana?”

Would he go after Londyn? Did he still love her? I couldn’t blame him if he did. Londyn was amazing and smart and funny and sweet. Of course he loved her. We all loved her.

“Nah.” Karson shook his head. “I think I’ll head toward the coast. I’d like to hit the ocean, breathe some clean air for a while. Learn to surf.”

Part of me was overjoyed that he wasn’t chasing his ex. The other part was still devastated because I would lose him soon.

“The ocean sounds fun,” I lied. The ocean sounded lame and not nearly as fun as Las Vegas. I still had forty-six days. Maybe I could change his mind. “Don’t get eaten by a shark.”

Karson chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

“Maybe you can come and visit us. In Vegas.”

He looked down and grinned. It was a grin that made my insides go fuzzy and the heart that had fallen only a minute ago do a tiny flip. “I’d like that.”

I smiled. “Me too.”

He stared at my mouth for a moment and the crease between his eyebrows came back.

“What?”

“Nothing.” He shook his head and faced forward. “So what are you going to do while I’m at work?”

“Maybe go to the library. Or the thrift store.”

“Getting another one of your books?” He nudged his elbow with mine. “A little Fabio action?”

“Whatever.” I bumped his arm with my shoulder. “You just wish you looked like Fabio.”

“Fabio wishes he looked like me.” Karson pretended to flick his hair. The dark locks had grown longer this year. It had been a while since he’d gone to get it cut. It curled at the nape of his neck and bangs draped over his forehead.

Last night, when he’d been asleep, temptation and concern had gotten the best of me, and I’d run my hands through his hair. It was as silky and soft as I’d expected.

Lucky for me, Karson would never know. That touch, along with my epic crush, would be my secret. Not even Aria knew how I felt about Karson.

It was probably for the best that we were going our separate ways, right? Ugh. No.

I mean . . . we’d have a lot to do in Vegas. Karson sort of distracted me. Without him around, I’d probably stay more focused.

Aria and I would need to find a place to live. We’d need to get jobs. As soon as I could get signed up for the test, I was going to earn my GED. I didn’t need a boyfriend distracting me from building a life. It was almost time to become an adult, right?

Ugh. No, again. Having Karson with us would just make it all better.

“Want to hear something strange?” I asked, ready for a new topic.

“Duh.”