Page 101 of Finish Line

Bile surges up my throat, but I choke it back. The traffic between us picks up, and when it clears again, he’s gone. I scan the area for a few more minutes to ensure he’s not lurking nearby.

As I head back to my bike, I consider calling one of the guys, but they’re in school and can’t afford any absences.

Hopping on Serenity, I pull my helmet on.

Part of me wants to peel out of the parking lot, putting as much distance between myself and Roger as possible. But I don’t.

I ride home at a slow speed, checking my surroundings to ensure I’m not followed, but Roger has other ways to find where I live.

When I pull into the driveway, I sag against the handlebars of my bike, my breath sawing in and out of me, on the brink of a panic attack. I need to calm down, or I’ll pass out in the driveway.

If Roger knows where I live and followed me without me noticing, he could grab me. Without closing my eyes because I’m too scared to after running into Roger, I picture Cam in my mind. He talked me through quite a few panic attacks in Hawaii.

“Breathe, beautiful,” he says. “That’s right. In through your nose and out through your mouth.”

My eyes drop to his mouth.

Giving me enough time to back away, he leans forward and seals his lips to mine. The kiss starts light, but soon, he dominates my mouth, his hand slipping to the back of my head, holding me while his tongue pillages my mouth.

Backing away, he smirks at me while I gape at him, panting for a different reason.

Kissing someone stops a panic attack, as it forces you to hold your breath.

I blinked at him for a second before realizing it worked.

My breathing becomes easier, and my heart rate slows. As I climb off my bike, my legs shake, but at least I stay standing.

I hurry inside the house, locking the door behind me. No one else is home, so I walk to my room and close my door. Not wanting to wallow, I decide to keep my mind on something else, so I crack open my study books for my GED.

I’m so focused on studying that I don’t notice when Nick comes home. He pushes my door open before knocking on my doorframe, causing me to jump.

He raises his eyebrow at me in question. “Hi, how was your day?”

I wave him in, my other hand hovering over my racing heart.

“What happened?” He sits on my couch.

I turn in my seat. “When I finished work and headed out to my bike, I felt like someone was watching me. I checked the parking lot, then across the street. Roger stood there.”

“Fuck. Did he say anything?”

I tell him what transpired. “On my way home, I checked to make sure I wasn’t followed, but I’m sure he knows where I live already.”

Nick pushes up his glasses. “We have to tell the guys.”

“I planned to once you were out of school,” I say. “I didn’t want you rushing to me if you couldn’t do anything.”

He chuckles.

“Besides, most of you can’t afford more absences. You need to graduate. I won’t have that on my conscience. I’ll wait until Luke arrives, then call the twins and Cam.”

Needing a topic change, I ask, “Have you thought about what you will do when high school is over?”

“I’ve told Dad about how I’ve been a guard for the Knights, but I haven’t told him I’m not going to college. Luke and I are going to start our business.” He chews his nails.

“The protection thing?” I remember him mentioning that once.

“Yes. Do you know what you’ll be doing?”

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