A laugh bubbled up and out of his chest. “Shit. I’ve been trying to get you to play Call of Duty for weeks.”
“And it’s still no,” I added with a laugh.
“See? You’re a fun killer.”
Smirking, I shook my head. “That’s just mean.”
He lifted his arms and crossed them behind his head. “We could play a little hooky.”
I gave him a look. “Who says that word at your age?”
“What? I’m an intellectual.” Shadow pointed to his head. “Lots of smarts up there.”
“Uh huh,” I teased.
“Seriously, Naomi. Everyone is busy with the last of the renovations and cleaning. I got out of it due to the fact that I have to babysit your ass.”
“You jerk!” I shouted, leaning forward, and punching his arm. “I should make you clean my bathroom for that.”
Laughing, he held up his hands. “As long as you don’t shit a mile long like Mammoth.”
Damn. I didn’t want to know that. “Ew. You’re disgusting.”
“Let’s get out of here. I’ll grab a cage. No one will see you.”
“I’m not going in a cage!” I shrieked, jumping up.
Shadow began laughing so hard he snorted and then almost fell out of his seat. “That’s what bikers call a vehicle.”
“Oh,” I breathed out, ready to punch him again. “You knew I would think it was an actual cage.”
He shrugged at the accusation. “Maybe.”
“Get me the hell out of here then. I don’t want to see these walls for a few hours.”
“Let’s roll out.”
Roll? Must be a biker thing.
Following Shadow, I walked through the Crossroads and beyond several plastic barriers, stepping around buckets and supplies. There was so much stuff everywhere it wasn’t hard to slip away unnoticed.
We took one of the SUVs that belonged to the auto shop. The logo was plastered on the sides and rear doors. Tinted windows prevented anyone from noticing I was inside as we approached the main gate and Toad let us through.
I breathed a sigh of relief once we were free and turned to my friend. “Where would you like to go?”
“You finally leave the Crossroads and you’re asking me?” He gave me a once over. “You’re so weird.”
“It doesn’t matter. After everything I’ve been through freedom is freedom.”
“Huh. I guess I get that.”
“Seriously, where would you go if I wasn’t with you?”
His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Not sure.”
“Liar,” I taunted, but then I figured it out. “Stefanie’s grave. Right?”
He didn’t answer, keeping his focus on the road instead.