Ryker was making his way back to the truck. His expression was dark, his eyes hard, his jaw tight. He climbed in and slammed the door shut, before turning back to his little brother.
“Principal Heller says you were told not to use your cell phone in class, and when you refused, you swore at the teacher, threw your table across the classroom, narrowly missing several of the other kids, and then stormed out.”
“I told you, I was just trying to show everyone a YouTube clip.”
“Yeah, well, that clip just cost you a day’s suspension.”
Ryker sat forward, his hands gripped around the steering wheel. Tension radiated from him. His lips were clamped together, his knuckles white, as he brooded. Jenna almost wanted to cower away.
Suddenly, he let go of the steering wheel and spun back around. “Do you want family services to come and take you away? Because, you know what, if you keep pulling this kind of shit, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Don’t think for a moment that those teachers aren’t looking to me and thinking I’m not a good enough role model for you.”
“You acted up when you were a teenager, too,” Mikey said, but his shoulders had slumped, his tone more subdued.
“Yeah, I did. I was pissed because Mom left us. So you’re right, I did some stupid stuff, but we still had Dad then. They wouldn’t have taken me away from him unless I did some really stupid stuff. With you and me, it’s different. It’s amazing they let us stay together at all after Dad died. They’ll be looking for any excuse to take you away, and you’re playing right into their hands.”
Jenna’s gaze shifted uncomfortably between them. She lifted her hand to her mouth and nibbled on her nails. She’d only met Ryker a couple of hours ago, and now she was privy to a private conversation. She guessed Ryker had been trying to hold it all in until they got home, but just hadn’t been able to help himself.
Ryker must have sensed her awkwardness. “Sorry,” he said, turning to her. “I should have saved that for later.”
She lifted both hands. “Hey, no problem. I was a teenager once too.” Though I barely left my room, never mind did anything bad, she thought but didn’t say.
“I’ll get you to the motel now. Sorry it’s taken so long.”
She smiled. “I just appreciate the ride.”
Ryker started up the truck again, pulled away from the school, and headed farther into town. They passed through Main Street, which was lined with independent restaurants with seating outside, a clock tower, and a couple of stores. Tubs of flowers bordered the sidewalk. Though small, the town appeared pleasant enough. It was the sort of place people could live their lives without fear of crime or anything changing too much.
“The motel is another couple of blocks south from Main Street,” Ryker told her as he drove. “It’s the only one in town. I don’t know why we don’t have more hotels, but we only get visitors when there’s an event going on in town. I guess there isn’t much call for extra accommodation.”
He drove the short distance, Jenna peering out of the passenger window as the town went by. Within five minutes, Ryker pulled into the parking lot of a simple, single story motel.
“Wait in the car,” Ryker told Mikey as he climbed from the truck.
Mikey didn’t even respond, but continued to play on his phone.
Ryker slammed the door and went around to the back to get her bags.
“Good to meet you, Mikey,” Jenna said, as she got out after Ryker. But the boy only lifted his chin to acknowledge she’d spoken, and didn’t bother to reply.
Together, Jenna and Ryker headed in to reception.
An older man in his fifties sat at the desk, watching a football game on a portable television behind the counter. He looked up at them as they walked in, and gave them a smile.
“Afternoon, folks. You two after a room? Double, is it?”
“Err, it’s just me, actually,” said Jenna. “I’ll need a single room for a night or two.”
The man’s eyes flicked over to Ryker, perhaps wondering what the deal was between the two of them. “Well, I can do the next two nights, but after that we got a coach tour coming in.”
“No problem. I’ll be out of here by then.” She turned to Ryker. “I will, won’t I?”
He gave a non-committal shrug. “Should be, as long as all the parts come in on time.”
“They’d better, or I’ll be sleeping in the car while you work around me.” She sighed and turned back to the clerk. “Do you have Wi-Fi?”
“Nah, sorry. We’re not that well equipped.”