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Nix
Harleigh’s eyes fluttered closed as I held her. So tightly I wasn’t sure I would ever let her go.
When Max’s text had come through, I’d made my excuses and left Buster’s, running at least two red lights to get here.
Harleigh needed me.
And there wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.
She turned in my arms, sliding her hands up my chest as she gazed up at me. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.” I brushed the hair stuck to her damp cheeks away and traced my fingers down the planes of her face. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I-I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay.”
“How did you know? Really?”
“Max texted me.”
“He did?”
I nodded. “I asked him to keep an eye on you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my girl, and it fucking kills me that I can’t be here for you.”
She pulled away, drying her eyes on her sleeves. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
“Shh, B.” I kissed her forehead. “You should have called me. I knew something was wrong. I fucking knew it.”
“Nix, I…”
Harleigh’s cell phone started ringing, cutting the tension around us. “It’s probably Celeste.” She dug it out of her pocket and nodded.
“You should answer her. She’ll be worried.”
“I’ll text her.” Harleigh began typing furiously, and then her eyes drifted to mine. Fuck, the lost expression on her face slayed me.
“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get out of here.”
She glanced back toward her father’s estate and irritation skittered up my spine.
“I can take you ba—”
“No, no. I don’t want to be there.” Her eyes silently pleaded with me.
“Come on.” Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I led Harleigh back to my car. I’d parked it out of sight as much as I could, wanting to save her anymore trouble.
“In you go.” I yanked open the passenger door and eased her inside.
She seemed so sad… so empty and detached. It scared the fuck out of me.
Raking a hand through my hair, I blew out a strained breath as I rounded my car and climbed in. “You good?” I asked her, and she nodded, gnawing the end of her thumb.
I didn’t believe her, but we couldn’t stay out here. Not so close to her father’s estate.
