Page 23 of Ride or Die

I scoff. “After I ran out last night, I doubt Bruce’ll have me back.”

He studies me for a long beat, the look in his eyes dubious. “Do youwantto go back?”

“I mean, no—” I practically guffaw. “But no one else’s hiring. Besides, the tips were good, and… Aside from the occasional wandering hand, it was surprisingly safe.”

Cole nods slowly, staring down at me with an unreadable look in his eyes.

“W-what is it?” I shift on my feet, feeling small beneath the weight of his heady gaze, racking my brain with what I might’ve just said, and hoping I didn’t somehow unintentionally upset him.

“You leave Bruce to me,” he says, before hiking himself up into his truck.

And, before I can ask him what the hell he’s talking about, the roar of the engine floods the silent country air, and he’s backing out, offering me no more than a quick wave. And it’s only when he’s gone, nothing but the lingering scent of diesel fumes left in his wake that I look down, realizing he never took my money.

As I sit on the porch steps, my hands cupped around a mug of tea, the afternoon sun starting to sink toward the horizon, painting the sky lilac and peach, I watch Billie as she lies on a blanket on the grass with her fluffy dog Curly perched next to her while she colors. With nothing but the sound of the gentle afternoon breeze rustling through the leaves of the trees, and the distant chirp of a bird flying overhead, this is the calmest I’ve felt in as long as I can remember. And for the first time in a longtime, I can actually breathe without the constant threat of fear clutching around my chest and squeezing to the point of pain.

I know this isn’t our house, and it’s only temporary, but as I watch Billie humming a tune to herself, happily kicking her bare feet, coloring outside of the lines without so much as a care in the world, I know I made the right decision. Not only to accept Cole’s offer of help, but to leave the nightmare we lived for so long behind. I don’t think I will ever rid myself of the permanent twist of anxiety that rolls low in my belly at the thought ofhimout there looking for us, and the very real almost certain possibility that, one day, he might find us. But I need to push it aside for the moment and allow myself these breaths. We can always run again if we have to. Hell, I’ll never stop running if it means my babies will be safe. But right now, in this moment, we’re okay, and that’s all that matters.

I’m startled by a shudder vibrating against my thigh, jumping only to remember the cell phone Cole gave me.Mycell phone, apparently. Pulling it out of my pocket, I see his name on the screen, notifying me of a new text message.

Cole: I’ll be there at 7:30.

My eyebrows tug together as I read his message a couple of times. Immediately I assume he’s sent it to me in error. He probably meant to send it to a friend, or a colleague, or a girl perhaps. A guy like Cole probably has at least a few of those waiting in the wings.

Me: I think you sent this to me by mistake.

Less than a few seconds later, the phone starts to ring in my hand, Cole’s contact flashing on the screen, and with a moment’s pause, I slide to answer.

“Hello?”

“You’re workin’ tonight.” Cole’s voice cuts through the phone in lieu of a greeting.

“Huh?”

“At the club,” he continues. “Bruce didn’t call you?”

I sit up a little straighter then, the calm I felt moments ago suddenly replaced by panic as I look around for what, I don’t know. “I-I… no. He didn’t. I assumed after last night I?—”

“I stopped by and… had a chat with him,” Cole interrupts my stammered ramblings, and I can’t help but balk. He went and talked to Bruce for me? Before I can say anything, he continues. “He said you’re scheduled on at eight and not to be late.”

I glance at Billie, turning to look over my shoulder at Tom through the open front door, inside, lying on the sofa reading his favoritebook. “I-I don’t think I can—I’m not about to leave the kids alone again. I know they’re safe here, but after last night, I?—”

“Like I said, I’ll be there at seven thirty,” Cole says firmly. “I’ll keep an eye on the kids while you’re gone.”

I snap my mouth shut, taken aback by his words. “I… I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask me,” he says simply. “I’m offerin’.”

“Cole, I—”I don’t even know you,I don’t say because I can’t. It’d be rude to decline his offer based on that, considering we’re literally living in his house. Chewing on my nail, doubt and unease fester in the pit of my chest.

“I’ve got some work to do in the barn anyway,” he continues like it’s no big deal. “Do they like pizza?”

“Does who like pizza?”

He snorts a laugh. “Your kids…”

“Oh—” I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of whatever daze I’m currently trapped in. “Um… yeah, but you don’t have to?—”

Cutting me off, he speaks again, “I’ll be there at seven thirty.” And, with that, the call goes dead, and I look down at the screen to find it black, trepidation prickling my skin.