Read Online Wilder Boys by Brandon Wallace - Free Book Online Page A

“What’d you get?”
    â€œI bought the whole store, but we better not stay here.”
    â€œI gotta eat something first,” Taylor said, ripping open the bag of chips.
    Jake sighed. “All right, but hurry.”
    Jake popped open two cans of dog food for Cody and set them on the ground. Then he joined Taylor in their junk food feast. Jake was even hungrier than he’d thought. After polishing off half the chunk of cheese, a half bag of chips, and half the carton of milk, he began gnawing on a slice of beef jerky.
    â€œI should have bought more,” Jake said.
    â€œSo just go back and buy some,” Taylor said, his mouth full of cheese and chips.
    â€œWell, I would but—” Jake was about to explain aboutthe nasty cashier when Sharon, the trucker, walked outside. Spotting the boys and Cody, she walked on over and grinned.
    â€œEvery meal’s a banquet, huh?”
    Jake didn’t quite get the joke, but he and Taylor laughed guardedly. “Yeah. Thanks for helping me out in there.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Taylor asked. “What happened?”
    â€œAw, just a little disagreement,” Sharon explained. “It was nothing. You boys look like you could use a friend.”
    Jake didn’t respond, so Sharon squatted down to pet Cody. “Cool dog. What’s his name?”
    â€œCody,” Taylor answered. “He’s the best dog in the universe.”
    Sharon laughed. “I can see that. Hungry, too.”
    â€œWe haven’t eaten in—” Taylor began, but Jake elbowed him in the ribs.
    â€œOw! Why’d you—” but then Taylor figured it out.
    â€œDon’t worry, fellas,” Sharon said, standing back up. “Whatever you’ve gotten yourselves into, I’m not going to turn you in. I’ve been on the wrong side of the authorities, and I know that sometimes a person just needs a little help. Speaking of that, is there anything I can do for you kids before I head out?”
    Taylor and Jake exchanged glances. They both knew that their options were running low.
    â€œYou’re a trucker?” Jake asked.
    â€œThat I am,” Sharon answered. “Drive the finest rig this side of Wall, South Dakota.”
    â€œWell,” Jake said, “we could use a ride.”
    Sharon shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “Where you boys headin’?”
    Jake was going to make up a location, but Taylor blurted “Wyoming! To see our dad.”
    Surprise flickered across Sharon’s face. “Wyoming? That’s a fair piece of highway. Does your mom know where you are—and where you’re going?”
    Again, before Jake could stop him, Taylor said, “Mom’s in the hospital, and Bull—her lousy boyfriend—was gonna come back and mess us up, so we got outta there.”
    Sharon took a deep breath, concern replacing surprise on her face. Instead of grilling them over more details, though, she asked, “How old are you boys?”
    â€œSixteen and fifteen,” Jake answered, pulling himself up to his full height. He was certainly tall enough, a bean pole like Mrs. Sanchez had said, but it was Taylor who was the giveaway.
    Sharon raised an eyebrow. “Sixteen, huh? And short stuff over there?” she asked, switching her gaze to Taylor.
    â€œHey!” Taylor protested. “I’m not small—I know how to take care of myself. . . .”
    Taylor stared back up at Sharon. If anything, the determination in his eyes was the thing that made him look older and wiser than his years. One benefit of living with Bull was that you learned life’s hard lessons fast.
    A wry smile played at the corners of Sharon’s mouth. “And where are you heading in Wyoming?”
    â€œAnywhere will do,” Jake said.
    Sharon stuck her thumbs into the pockets of her jeans and stared out over the fleet of trucks in the parking area. She remained