“Nothing bad is going to happen to you, Pippi,” he assured me, his voice so strong and confident.
I watched as his eyes darkened and narrowed, and a sad, defeated smile danced on his lips. “Zoe,” he began softly, wrapping my hands in his, “I’ll follow you all the way back to Melbourne if that’s what it takes to make you feel safe.”
I knew better than to argue. I had absolutely no doubt that he’d do exactly that. Spencer wouldn’t hesitate to put his life on hold again and follow me home. I couldn’t let him do it. “I’ll be fine, Spence. But thank you. I mean it. You really would have, though, wouldn’t you?”
“Anytime, Pippi. Anytime.” The sincerity etched on his face left no room for doubt. The only reservation I had was in deserving him. He’d been so good to me?too good?and I’d done nothing to repay him. I couldn’t even think of anything I could do to balance the ledger. I made a mental note that one day…one day I’d find a way. Somehow.
“I can do this, Spence, I know I can,” I promised as I straightened myself in my seat and squeezed my eyes shut. Maybe if I repeated the lie enough, I’d start to believe it.
“I know you can.” He winked and my stomach lurched. I wanted to punch him. God, I wanted to punch him so bad. “Go on, Pippi…get out of here.”
“Thanks, Spencer,” I spluttered, the words choking me.
“Text me when you get home.”
“I will. Promise.”
I backed the car out of the drive and turned onto the road. It was still empty. Not another car in sight. When I paused at the stop sign and glanced in the rearview mirror, I wasn’t surprised to see a truck behind me.
Shaking it off, I flicked on my blinker and took the corner. Ten minutes later I passed the outskirts of town and accelerated down the open road. I know I’d been driving slower than necessary but right now that was the least of my problems. For the moment, I just had to focus on getting out of here. There was still a truck on my tail. Somehow I knew he would be. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I needed him. I needed him there more than I needed my next breath.
“Thank you,” I murmured to myself, steeling myself for what was coming.
As I approached the spot, the exact location everything that irrevocably and irreversibly changed forever, my foot fell from the accelerator unconsciously. I felt my heart beating erratically, threatening to break through my already painful chest. I forgot to breathe and it didn’t take long before black spots blurred my vision. A horn blasted, shaking me from my own nightmare and sent me crashing back into reality. Even though it scared the shit out of me I was glad. I’d started to veer onto the other lane. Thankfully the road was deserted. Well, except for me and my escort. Correcting, I swerved back into my lane and continued on my way.
As scary as it was, it was soon over. I’d got past it. I hadn’t broken down and the world hadn’t ended. Risking a glance in the mirror, I saw the flash of Spencer’s headlights as he started to back off. His truck, which had only moments ago looked so huge, so intimidating in my rearview mirror, was now shrinking into the distance. Once again, Spencer had known. He’d known me and he’d known exactly what I’d needed. I don’t know how I could ever repay him, but I vowed one day I’d find a way.
When Spencer faded into the distance and I couldn’t see him anymore, I turned on the stereo and Bon Jovi’s sexy, crooning voice filled my car. Shaking off my funk, I started singing along as I drove. Loudly.
