I had Caleb check things out instead of just taking Ashton's word for it. I mean, it was his dad driving that day, and I worried he might cover for him.

Now though? I realized I'd been paranoid.

"You're thinking about the brake failure?" Ashton asked.

Since we were official now, no more hiding the truth. "Yeah. I just need to know for sure. No maybes."

Ashton got quiet, then asked softly, "Elaine, if - and this is just hypothetical - if my ...