Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

*

Inside the Moonlight private room, things were winding down. Jackson and

Richard had already left, one after the other. Tara turned to Dylan with a sweet little smile. "Dylan, I still have something you gave me ages ago. If you give me a ride home, I'll give it back to you, okay?"

Dylan didn't even look her way, his eyes glued to the scenery outside. "Get in the car."

Tara hopped in beside him. "I haven't got my own place yet, so I'm still crashing at the Warren house. Just wait for me outside, I'll grab your thing and be right back."

He knew she was baiting him, but he couldn't help being curious about that "thing."

"Alright," he said.

The car rolled quietly toward the Warren estate. Tara sat beside him, smart enough to keep quiet the whole way. No need to leave a bad impression-there'd be plenty of time for that later.

They pulled up outside the big house. Tara got out first, tossing a quick, "Give me ten minutes, tops," over her shoulder.

She hurried inside and almost ran straight into Mrs. Ferguson, who was heading upstairs for the night.

Mrs. Ferguson shot her a curious look. "You didn't come back with your brother?" Richard had just gotten home, and Tara showed up right after-why weren't they together?

Jogging up the stairs, Tara called back, "Dylan drove me home!"

Technically, Tara and Richard were only cousins, but after growing up together in the Warren household, they were as close as brother and sister.

Tara darted into her room, found the little box, and headed out again-only to bump into Richard in the hallway.

and his jacket slung

waiting outside," she said, not

didn't say

"Here," she said, handing it over. "You gave me this a long time ago. I'm returning

box and nodded, not

up front, caught the vibe and started the car,

had plenty of little

night, Dylan finally opened the box. Inside was a

definitely

smiley face doodled in the

a girl's hidden feelings-every word

the window. The air was getting warmer-spring was

glanced at the flowers before looking back at the words on the paper.

brother, no one wants to live in the

own name. Live

name will be yours. You can...

closed his eyes and leaned back against the

Palm Bay. He quietly folded the paper back up and tucked it

ten o'clock before she heard any noise from

door. Sure

of his wheelchair as he rolled closer. They made eye contact for a few seconds before

most of

she called after him, "Are you

wheelchair stopped. Dylan looked

the corner of her own mouth. "When