Page 9 of Fueled Fury

That’s not gonna happen, which is why he said it. “Let. Me. Go.”

He doesn’t budge, holding me as a stare down ensues. He knew I wouldn’t agree to his stupid terms. I’d kept kissing out of the equation every time we hooked up, never going there even when I was ready and willing to hand my body over to him. Why the hell would I give in to him now when I’d rather spit in his face than feel his mouth on mine? Which is why I can’t believe he’s keeping up the ludicrous battle.

It seems like an eternity before I hear a forfeit announced and the next racers are called to the starting line. Every muscle in my body tenses when I hear the engines rev. Car tires spin during a burnout before launching, seconds later, down the track. It was already too late for me to line up, but the sound of cars crossing the finish line make the ruling final. I won’t be racing tonight. And it’s all because of him.

Struggling against him, I’m finally able to free my hands as I push him back, allowing just enough room to bring my knee up. He anticipates my move, catching my thigh in his hand before my knee can make contact with its target. Wailing around, I fight out of his grip as I scream, “I hate you! I hate everything about you! Is there anything that you won’t take from me? Anything that you won’t do to hurt me?”

“Lainey, I had to.” Remorse crosses his face which sends my anger soaring. He isn’t the victim. He isn’t allowed to feel sorry for himself.

“You left me there,” I scream, unable to recognize my own voice, unable to stop the tears from streaming down my face. All the months of anger bubble to the surface. “You told me to trust you, then you left me there. Alone. Standing in the hospital, covered with your brother’s blood. And you just left. You left us both there, not even knowing if Eli would be okay. If I was okay.” My voice trails off, becoming nothing more than a weak whisper, matching the weak feeling I experienced as I sobbed alone in the hospital waiting room, praying that my best friend wasn’t going to die. “And I wasn’t … I wasn’t okay.”

“Lainey, please,” Austin pleads, but I shove him away.

“No. It’s too late. You showed me who you really are that night. Who you care about—no one but yourself. And tonight is the perfect reminder of that. You don’t care who you hurt as long as you get your way.” I raggedly inhale air into my lungs, struggling to catch my breath. All I want to do it put my fist through his stupid face, cause him as much pain as he causes everyone else.

“I’m here now.” His frustration enrages me further.

I remain unyielding, glaring at him as I finally drag in a full breath. “I don’t need you, and I sure as fuck don’t want you here.”

Turning my back to him, I yank Lucy’s handle and throw the door open.

“Walking away from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I never should’ve left you there alone.” His strangled voice causes my anger to reside for a split second before returning in full force.

“Please, do it again.” I drop into the driver’s seat and slam the door closed behind me. Wasting no time, I crank up Lucy and speed away from the Dome, but more importantly, away from him. Hopefully, he’ll listen for once and just leave. I know it’ll still hurt when he goes, but it’ll be less painful than if he stays.