No one comes out behind me. Hank doesn’t try to race and stop me from leaving or even lie and try to tell me what I saw was nothing. No. He just lets me leave. It’s all the answer I need. It’s officially over.
I’m halfway to my car when I hear my name. I look over to see Abraham sitting on the hood of a car.
“You’re still here?” I ask as I make my way over to him.
He sighs heavily. “Fucking dead battery. Waiting on roadside assistance to come give me a jump.”
“I can give you a jump,” I tell him, shaking my head.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. If you would’ve come inside any of the guys could’ve probably helped you. Just give me a second,” I tell him as I head to my car.
I pop my trunk and grab the jumper box, walking back over to him as he lifts the hood.
“You’re a lifesaver,” he says as I start hooking the clamps to the battery. “And a pro at this.”
“Not the first time I’ve done it.” Once I’m done, I step back. “Alright. Looks good. Go ahead and start her.”
He slides into the driver’s seat. The engine turns. Then roars to life.
I lean forward to unhook the clamps and something hard slams into the back of my head. Pain explodes through my skull. My vision blurs as I stumble forward, but hands grab me, wrapping tight around my arms to keep me from falling, holding me firmly. Hot breath brushes my ear. The smell of cigarettes and something sour fills my lungs. Panic surges through me.
“Help!” I gasp, trying to twist free. “Abraham.” The person behind me laughs.
When I lift my head, I see Abraham step out of the car, calmly. Not rushing to save me. But stepping toward me slowly. My stomach drops. He stops in front of me, reaching out, gripping my chin, forcing my face up so I’m staring right at him. His cold eyes locked on me.
“Told you,” he says quietly, “I was tired of waiting.”
A sharp prick hits the side of my neck. My vision instantly becomes hazy. My body goes limp.
The last thing I hear as the world fades away is the voice from the person behind me.
“I’ll get her in the car, Dad.”
Chapter 27
Hank
Thedoorslamshardenough to rattle the glass. My eyes linger on it long after she disappeared through it. A small piece of me waiting for her to return. But she doesn’t.
Vee didn’t even look back when she left. Of course she didn’t. That isn’t her style. She just tossed her hand up over her head as she walked out, middle finger high in the air with that fiery attitude of hers.
Hell… knowing her, that gesture wasn’t just meant for the girl sitting in my lap. It was probably meant for me too. And I deserve it. I know her and Jennalyn have a beef, and me being with her was only going to piss Vee off more. A part of me is happy about that. It means she does still care for me, and maybe, just maybe, that will bring her back to me. Make her realize that I can be enough for her. That she doesn’t need Luke and Doc.
My eyes stay glued to the door like it might swing open again. Like she might storm back in, cheeks flushed, eyes blazing, ready to rip my head off the way she always did when she was mad.
God, I’d take that over this. The silent treatment. The anger.
I know it’s for the best. The madder she gets with me, the less she looks at me with hope in her eyes that one day I’ll be able to accept what she wants. Because that’s just not something I can do. Sharing a club girl is one thing, but the woman I want to be my ol’ lady is another.
A hand grabs my jaw, nails digging in just enough to pull my attention away.
“Forget about her, baby,” Jennalyn purrs, forcing my face toward hers. Her sweet perfume wraps around me, choking me as she presses her body against mine. “I’m more of a woman than she is,” she continues. “I can make you happy, unlike her.”
Her hand slides down my stomach, inching lower, and I clear my throat.
“I can give you exactly what you want. Undivided attention.” She presses her lips against mine, kissing with a hunger that I wish I could reciprocate with her. But I can’t.
