Page 61 of Drive To Survive

When I returned home, Paul was nowhere to be seen thankfully. I slipped inside the house and sat at the kitchen table staring at my phone, trying to pluck up the courage to call Nico. Five times I almost pressed the call button, only to draw back as if the screen burned as soon as I touched it. Giving myself a mental slap, on the sixth attempt, I did.

“Everly,” Nico’s voice came over the line, full of so much concern I almost burst into tears on the spot. “I’m so glad you called. Is everything okay?”

“No. Not really.” I fell into silence, unsure of where to even begin telling such a far-fetched, fantastical story.

“Talk to me, love. Please. Tell me what’s going on.”

His gentle voice coaxed me into spilling the whole sorry tale. I omitted the part where Paul kissed and roughly handled me. Now wasn’t the time. He’d go all alpha on me, like he had when he’d found that bruise on Rhett’s arm, and right now, I needed him to stay calm and tell me everything would be okay.

Nico listened without interruption. Only when I reached the part about needing a loan and a lawyer did he intervene.

“Listen to me very carefully, Everly. I’ll find you a top lawyer, so cross that off your list of things to worry about. I want you to put down the phone, pack a bag for you and Rhett, and get over here.”

Hot tears pricked the back of my eyes. I did not deserve this man.

“I’m so sorry, Nico,” I said, swallowing past a lump in my throat. “Sorry that I cast us aside so easily. I will make it up to you. I promise.”

“We’ll talk later. For now, just do as I ask. I’ll meet you at the house.”

Relief surged through me. Thank God I’d met Nico. My heart swelled at how generously, and without reproach, he welcomed me back with open arms.

“Rhett’s in school,” I said.

There was a pause, and then Nico said, “I’m coming over. No arguments. Until I get there, I want you to lock all the doors and windows. Don’t open up to anyone, okay?”

“You’re overreacting,” I said, adoring him even more for his protectiveness. “I’ll pack bags for us both, pick Rhett up after class, and drive straight over to your place.”

“I don’t like it.”

I smiled. “It’ll be fine. Dorothy is right next door, and besides, I know that Wednesday is one of your busiest times at the track.”

He made a sound in the back of his throat. “Okay. Just, please, be careful.”

“I will.”

I hung up the phone, and for the first time in days, the darkness that filled my every waking moment lifted. With Nico, I felt cared for, protected, and most of all, safe. His authoritative, take-charge attitude was exactly what I needed right now. I’d struggled on my own for so long. I’d gladly allow Nico to carry the burden for a while. It didn’t make me weak; it made me courageous. I always remembered my dad saying, “To ask for help is a great strength, Everly. Never be afraid to reach out.” My only regret was that it had taken me too long to act on my dad’s wise words.

Despite scolding Nico for overreacting, I did as he requested and checked that I’d locked the back and front doors, and then I checked the windows, too. The only window that didn’t close properly was the bathroom one, but even a child would struggle to crawl through a space that small. A guy Paul’s size wouldn’t even fit one shoulder in the gap.

I dashed into my bedroom and opened the closet, removing a duffel bag. I tossed in a few clothes, enough for at least a week. Darting into the bathroom, I threw some toiletries into a bag.

I packed a suitcase for Rhett, making sure to cram in some of his favorite toys and books. It was bad enough I’d have to try to explain Paul’s absence when he’d only just gotten his father back. Already I dreaded the conversation. I had no idea how it would go. What if he blamed me or insisted on seeing Paul? How would I even begin to explain the truth to a six-year-old who’d already suffered so much?

As I zipped up the suitcase, a scraping sound gave me a momentary pause. I froze, my ears straining to pick up any other sounds. There were none. On silent feet, I padded across Rhett’s room and peered around the door into the living room. Empty. I tiptoed into the kitchen. Same.

I smiled to myself. “Pull yourself together, Everly.”

“Hmm,” a voice came from behind me, one that sent a chill racing down my spine. “That’s good advice.”

EVERLY

I spun around. Paul was standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. The only other exit was the door behind me, but I’d locked and bolted it earlier. I’d stand no chance of unlocking it in time to escape.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, pushing confidence I didn’t feel into my voice. “How did you get in?” I backed away until I butted up against the kitchen cabinets.

“We need to talk.”

“How did you get in, Paul?” I snapped.

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