“No need for payment, Taylor. Now, where are you before I go the wrong way.”
I inform him of where I am, and he promises to be here as soon as he can. When I hang up, I realize what I just did. I just called a drug dealer. What if the police arrest him and go through his phone? I sigh in relief. I had blocked it. Well, one point for me.
I get out of my car and lean up against my trunk while I wait for him. I know he told me to sit in it, but I think I’d rather take my chances at another car hitting me as I stand on the side of the road than to be sitting in my car if it decides to go up in flames. Who knows what is really wrong with it and if my bottle of water really did any good.
About fifteen minutes later, I see a black truck coming around the corner. It’s the first vehicle I’ve seen since I pulled over on the side of the road and I stand up straight. I give a small smile as it starts to come to a stop behind my car. My first thought is that of course he drives an overly large jacked up truck. Trying to compensate for something? My second thought is that wasn’t very nice. He’s the only one who answered your phone call.
“Thank you …” I come to a halt and my words cut off when a man about my age jumps out from his lifted black Ford. A man who looks nothing like Case. Did he send someone to help me? Did he realize that I was where no one would find me? I immediately shake that thought from my mind. He saidhewas coming. And this guy is not Case.
The man smiles at me, showing off his jagged teeth as he pushes his sunglasses to the top of his head. Eyes so dark they’re black, look me up and down in a way that makes me uneasy. “Need help, little lady?” he asks with a Southern drawl.
“Uh, no,” I say, and his smile falls. “I have someone coming,” I add quickly. “Thank you, though.” I take a quick look around.Where is Case?I hope he gets here soon. All of a sudden, I feel too exposed standing outside of my car. I should have stayed inside where I could lock my doors.
He looks around after I do, and his smile returns. “Well, they’re not here yet. How about I take a look.” He winks at me and then walks past me to the front of my car.
“Uh … sure,” I say, nervously. What else is there for me to say? I already told him that I had someone coming, yet he insisted on helping.
“Pop the hood,” he orders as he looks down at it.
I gladly open up my car door and get inside of it. I pop the hood and then close my door. I’d take being blown up by a car explosion any day to being kidnapped, raped, mutilated, and left for dead on the side of the road.
I watch through the little crack at the bottom of my lifted hood out of my windshield as he reaches over and grabs something in my engine. He cusses as he jerks his hand back. “Will it start?” he asks loud enough for me to hear.
“No,” I lie. I’m not sure if it will. But trying to start it just sounds like a bad idea. What if that would cause it to explode?
“It’s still too hot to touch.” He comes into full view when he slams the hood down.
I wipe my sweaty hands on my thighs. Shit, it’s hot in here. I grab a hold of my shirt and pull it out quickly, trying to fan my chest. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself,” I say loudly hoping he can hear me since my car door is shut. That was nice, right? Even though I’m scared to death. He stands in front of my car and places his arms over his chest as he stares at me through my windshield.
I clear my throat when I realize he’s not going to budge. “Thank you?” I say in a high-pitched voice.
My heart starts to beat faster when he makes his way over to my driver’s side door. He opens it, and I try to give him a thankful smile when I step out. Why didn’t I lock myself inside? That would have been too obvious. Plus, he would probably just break my window open.
“A pretty lady shouldn’t be out here alone,” he says, shutting my door.
“Come on. I’ll give you a ride into town,” he offers, and I take a step back, pushing myself up against the car as my heart pounds in my chest.
Oh, Lord help me! “Heshould be here any moment.” Let him know you have a man coming. Let him know that someone knows you are here.
As I mention the word he, his dark black eyes narrow. I reach behind me to grab my phone out of my pocket. I need to call Case again. Just as I grip my phone, he goes to open his mouth, but he looks up behind me as I hear a roar of an engine.Please be Case! Please be Case.I have a feeling that I would be safer with Case, considering that he is friends with my brother, rather than this stranger who is giving me the major creeps.
The sound of the engine cuts off and I hear a door open and close. Please let this be Case and not some guy this creepy man has called to come help him.
I jump when an arm lands over my shoulders, but let out a breath the moment I look up to see Case staring down the man in front of us. The smell of his spicy cologne surrounds me, and I inhale sharply. “Hey, sweetie,” he says, not taking his eyes off the guy in front of us. “Everything okay? I came as soon as I could.” He bends down and gives me a soft kiss on my hair, but I can feel how tight his body presses up beside mine.
I blink a few times trying to clear my mind as my body breaks out in goosebumps from his touch. “Hey … babe.” What do I say? I guess we’re pretending to be something other than somewhat strangers to make this guy go away? I can play along.
He reaches his free hand out and finally speaks. “Case. You would be?” he demands.
I swallow nervously. Is he trying to make this situation worse?
“Will.” The man reaches out and grasps his hand; it seems like a harmless handshake, but I can feel the tension. The man pulls his hand out of Case’s grasp and clears his throat. “I saw this beautiful woman stopped on the side of the road and thought I could help her.” He looks down at me.
“Thank you,” I say, giving him a real smile now that Case is here. “But like I said, I had help coming.”
“And I have arrived!” Case announces. “So you can now leave!” My eyes widen as I look at Case. Is he trying to start trouble?
Will looks at Case for a few long seconds, and I hold my breath. Is he gonna hit him? “As you are. I’ll be on my way.” With that, he walks right past us to his truck. Case turns to see him off; I guess to make sure the guy doesn’t attack us from behind. But I don’t move from where I am. Once I see the back of the truck drive away, I let out a long breath.
