Chapter 1
Adrian
I’mparkedinthemiddle of the road after driving for hours, leaving my old life behind.It’s a chilly Sunday afternoon, and I find myself under attack from an aggressive bunch of turkeys.
They’re strutting across the road, completely unfazed by my presence, gobbling like they own the place.Looking straight at me, they stop right in front of theWelcome to Pulse Pointsign.I sit in my car, trying to make sense of how ridiculous this is, questioning whether I should get the hell out of the road or try to scare them off.But there are too many to count, and one even starts pecking at my bumper.
No way am I going to sit here any longer and wait.The turkeys need to move so I can drive.This is me taking control and facing whatever comes next head-on.
I push the door open and step outside, the cold air hitting my face.I don’t move at first, even as I stand there, staring them down.Just as I start to wonder how to handle this crazy situation, wings flap hard beside me and a blur of feathers flashes past.
“What the—” My pulse rises, and I turn just in time to see the damn thing hopping onto the driver’s seat.I’m about to close the door, but it’s too late… It’s already made itself at home.And of course, I’m driving a Mercedes-Benz with doors that open like wings.Fucking great.
My hands rest on my hips as I switch my gaze between the turkey in my car and the others edging closer.If I lock the turkey in there, it’s sure to make a mess, but if I leave the door open, I could end up with all his friends inside.
Waving my arms, I lunge forward.“Go on, move!”I shout, but the turkey in the driver’s seat doesn’t budge.Of course, I expected that to work… at least a little.But the damn bird just stares at me like I’m the idiot.As a last-ditch effort, I let out a weak gobble… Don’t ask me why.The other turkeys respond with even louder gobbles and march toward me.A groan slips out of me as frustration bubbles to the surface.This is absolutely absurd.
My mind races through the possibilities.What the hell am I supposed to do?I press my palms against my temples, trying to think clearly over the gobbles.
Fucking hell.
I’m tired, cranky, and desperately want to sit down with a drink after an incredibly long day.Most of my stuff is in storage, but everything that actually matters is crammed into that car, and if that turkey makes a mess, I’ll have nothing left.
Pulling out my phone, I check for service… Nothing.Not that I even know who I’d call.Animal control?AAA?Maybe Issac, my friend, just so someone can laugh at this with me.I can’t even Googlehow to remove a turkey from a Mercedes.
What the fuck is wrong with this place?
I shove my phone back into my pocket just as the sound of an engine revs.Hope fills me as a blue Toyota Corolla pulls over and out jumps a woman wearing a blue New York Yankees hat, matching leggings, and a fitted tank top.
Perhaps she’s from around here.Which means she’s probably dealt with turkey standoffs before.Maybe things are about to get better.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a problem here.”She glances at the turkeys.
A smartass.Great.
“You think?”I cross my arms.
She bursts out laughing, and for a second, my shoulders drop, the tension in my neck easing against my will.It’s not funny, but her laugh is so damn infectious that even I can’t help but crack a smile.Maybe the problem lies with my car.Perhaps they can sense I’m not a local.
“Do you know how to get rid of them?”I point to the one in my car.
“What kind of car is this?”she asks, raising an eyebrow, confusion flickering across her face.
Is she serious?It’s a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG… How does she not know that?I guess it’s a sign of just how far I am from New York.
“A Mercedes.”I glance at my sleek, high-tech car that’s fetching compliments everywhere I go.But right now, I’m seriously regretting it.It’s not built for these situations.I really wish I had something that I have zero pride in protecting instead.
“This one right here?”She points to the turkey in my car.“He’s the king of the flock.”She doesn’t hesitate, her tone matter-of-fact.“You need to nudge him away for the rest to follow.”
Nudge him?Right.I doubt it’s that simple.He looks like he’ll peck my face off.
I raise an eyebrow, wondering how she knows that, but it makes sense.The big guy’s puffed up, while the others keep their distance, waiting for him to make the first move.
As I lock eyes with her, something sparks: a challenge in her gaze that draws me in and dares me not to back down.A smile lingers on her lips, as if the entire situation is a big joke to her.My attention drops to her athletic build, and for a split second, I wonder how she finds this so amusing while I’m stuck in this nightmare.I shake my head and draw my focus back to the turkey in the front seat, now preening its feathers like it’s got all the time in the world.The rest of the flock stands by, watching, as if they’re waiting for some kind of signal to move.
If that signal isall aboard!I’m screwed.
If it’sattack the new guy,I’m really fucking screwed.
