Search Me by Katie Ashley

act.”
    “Easier said than done,” I grumbled. With shaky hands, I pressed the button and brought the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
    “Hey sweetie, it’s Mom.”
    “H-Hi. Did you guys just land?” I cringed when my voice cracked.
    “We sure did. It was such a smooth flight. Your father is tracking down our luggage as we speak. I told him not to check a bag because of our luck with lost luggage, but you know him.”
    Even though Mom continued rattling on, I began to tune her out. It was too painful hearing her voice. More than anything, I wanted to be with her—to have her wrap me in her arms so we could cry together about Maudie. And I wanted to be with Dad so he could protect me from all of Jensen’s craziness.
    “Lane? Are you still there?”
    “Oh, um, sorry. Yeah.”
    “Everything okay at home?”
    I gulped and met Maddox’s eye. As he cocked his eyebrows, I said, “Yeah. Sure. Everything’s just fine.”
    “That’s good. Now don’t stay up too late. Remember to set the alarm—”
    I gripped my phone tighter. Honestly, the last thing I needed right now was Mom being overprotective. I had to fight myself from saying, You know what, Mom? I’ve been chased by thugs, and I even shot a man today, not to mention leaving Maudie behind in a pool of blood. I think I’m a little past alarm systems and a bed time. But instead, I replied, “Mom, would you please remember I’m nineteen. I’ve lived in a dorm for goodness sake.”
    “I know, sweetie. It’s just the over-protective mom in me. I worry no matter where you are—Oh, you’ve got the bags, Stephen? Wonderful. Lane, honey, I’ve got to go. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”
    “Sure Mom.”
    “I love you bunches. Daddy sends his love, too.”
    “I love you, too.”
    When I hung up, I met Maddox’s questioning eyes. “She thinks everything is fine.”
    “Good.”
    “Yeah, it’s good she thinks that, but it’s the farthest thing from the truth.”
    “So?”
    I threw my hands up in exasperation. “So? I just totally concealed everything that’s happened today. My parents are up in Charleston on their way to their hotel room with no idea that Maudie’s been shot and could be dead, and we’re on the run from gangsters who want our treasure map!”
    He stared at me for a moment before giving a slight shake of his head. “You look like hell. You better get a shower. Even though this place seems like it’s all closed up, I better keep a watch out while you get cleaned up.” He motioned down the hallway. “The first door on the right is the guest bedroom and bathroom. The next door is the master bedroom and bath. Pick either one you want.”
    Now it was my turn to stare in disbelief. I mean, no words of comfort or even an acknowledgement for my feelings or for what had happened to Maudie? Instead, he’d gone full-on jerk by taking a jab at my appearance. I balled up my fists and fought the urged to give him a punch in his perfect face.
    He’d bent over and started rifling through his bag. When I remained rooted to the floor, he whirled back around. “Dammit, Lane, are you deaf? I said go get cleaned up.”
    “Stop it!”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Stop acting like some Drill Sergeant barking out commands. I have feelings, you know, and I think in spite of everything, I’m doing a pretty decent job of keeping my shit together! But you just can’t ignore what happened today.” As Maddox’s expression darkened, I said, “Yes, we have to keep it together, but I know you have to be upset about Maudie—”
    “I don’t want to talk about her!” he shouted, his face reddening.
    “And why not? I know how much you love her—she’s been a mother to you.” Maddox took a step towards me and held up his hand as if to silence me. But I quickly blurted, “I love her too, you know. I can’t help thinking about her every second—like, if she was already gone when the paramedics got there, or if they were able to help her. And I’m sure you