Alix blinked and looked at me. “My bag . . . my phone!”
Chapter 11
Alix
The next morning, Kade and I were cruising on fumes as we pulled into Portland. Other than the promised stop at an all-night shopping center, we’d driven all night, Kade powering through with the help of a few energy drinks, exceptionally loud music, and two ten-minute naps while I did the refueling at truck stops.
For my part, I had trouble falling asleep. Part of it was initial adrenaline as I explained to Kade about my downloaded app on my phone. My earpiece was gone, most likely falling out at Sydney’s, but my phone itself was fine. In fact it was still recording when I took it out of my bag, although it was down to less than half a charge. “Here, plug it into my car,” Kade instructed me, pointing toward the docking port.
“We might be able to use that file. I got some pretty damning commentary from him, as well as assaulting me on audio. We could ruin him more.”
“We’ll see if the file is good when we get to Portland,” Kade replied. “If we can, we’ll see what our options are. By the way, don’t forget to text Layla and Dad that you’re coming with me, I don’t want them concerned.”
We found clothes for me soon after, and by midnight I was starting to crash. The stress-induced adrenalin had worn off long before, leaving just exhaustion. Even with Kade’s music, a lot of which I remembered from his visits before, I was nodding. “Jesus, Kade, don’t you update your music collection?”
“Not often,” he admitted. “Usually I’ve been too busy doing other stuff. Besides, good driving songs only come out once or twice a year. And this is the sort of drive that requires good driving music the whole way.”
I couldn’t disagree with him, but still I was nodding off. Kade noticed and patted my arm, reassuring me. “Alix, take a nap, it’s all right.”
“But you’d be driving by yourself then,” I countered, yawning. “That’s not good for driving safety.”
“True, but I’ve done all-nighters before, so my body is used to them. Besides, I have a six pack of drinks, plenty of sugar and caffeine to get me all the way to Portland,” Kade said. “So go ahead, take a nap. Don’t make me order you around.”
“Yes . . . sir,” I said sleepily, smiling at the comforting weight of that sound in my ears. I did nap some, only to wake up what felt like minutes later, a scream barely cut off behind my lips. Kade, who was draining what turned out to be the third of his drinks, swallowed quickly and put his can in the cup holder.
“You were having a bad dream,” he said quietly. “I didn’t want to wake you up, because your body needed the rest even if it was unpleasant rest. Want to talk about it?”
“No, not really,” I answered. “Kade, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, if you’re intent on staying up,” he said. “By the way, we just passed through Hilt. Welcome to Oregon.”
“What time is it?” I asked, wiping at my eyes. “And how’d you get here so fast?”
“It’s four thirty-six, and I told you, at night the CHP is relaxed. I can cruise without anyone giving me grief since we spend so much time in rural areas. Speed limit’s seventy out here.”
There was a moment of silence, and then I finally spoke up. “Are you curious about the stuff Sydney has on me?” I asked. “I mean, I haven’t given you any details.”
Kade shook his head. “Not really. I assume they’re sexual in nature, as that’s just about the only thing that would threaten Dad’s political ambitions with how you were so worried. You’re not into drugs, you’re not into crazy stuff, so it’s most likely not illegal. Not much left, am I right?”
“Yes. Sydney talked me into some things that I’m not proud of.”
Kade surprised me with his next comment. “You should never be ashamed of your body or your sexuality. That he has them, yes. Your choice to let him take them, yes. But never be ashamed of who you are.”
“Even if I did things that I didn’t want to do?” I asked.
Kade thought about it, then shook his head. “Well, despite being a lawyer, I keep thinking in only the good side of things. I don’t force things on people.”
“That’s why I feel safe with you,” I said. “Rita told me a lot.”
Kade glanced over before returning his eyes to the road, not saying a word.
“Kade. I just want to let you know . . . I’m interested.”
“We’re stepsiblings,” Kade said. “If you think the pictures or whatever it is Sydney has on you would hurt Dad’s political ambitions, if it ever came out that we were together, it would totally nuke them.”