My heart hammered fast. Fuck…

Rick stayed calm. "A huge wasp," he lied smoothly. "It flew right up her dress. I had to grab it."

Mom gasped. Her suspicion vanished. "Oh my god! A wasp? Is that the weird sound I heard earlier?"

"Yes," Rick said, using his calm doctor voice. "I crushed it. But she panicked. That’s why she moaned and looked flushed."

Mom let out a huge sigh. She stepped on the gas, speeding up again. "Thank goodness you were back there, Rick. She hates bugs."

But Rick didn’t stop. He played his perfect role.

"I should check for a stinger, Helen," Rick called loudly. "Crushed bugs sometimes...