Page 71 of Truck Off

“Thanks, Clara.” I slap the roof of my truck as I slide inside. Without a glance back, I rush out of the parking lot and head home.

Lina appears to be asleep now that she’s taken her meds. I only hope that when she wakes up, she’ll tell me what the hell is going on. This panic I feel inside me is too much. I only hope her truth can calm it down rather than feed it.

I’m not sure I can handle it if she’s not okay.

Chapter 17

No more running

Lina

My eyes slowly flutter open to a dimly lit room and an unfamiliar, soft bed. I’m also tangled in the arms of a very hard body.

I squeeze my eyes closed as I run through the events from earlier. My headache had reached unmanageable pain levels. It was to the point where my vision blurred, talking was a challenge, and my stomach was twisted in knots.

Chase had noticed it all.

He notices far too much when it comes to me. Something tells me I won’t be able to hide anything from him moving forward.

Especially considering my leg is weaved between his, my arm is hugging his waist, and my head is resting on his shoulder.

His arms are wrapped around me in a protective hold, and his hand is lightly brushing up and down my arm.

I look up and meet his worried gaze. He gives me a gentle smile before he lifts his hand and brushes my hair from my face.

“Hi,” he says. His voice croaks on the word, as if he’s gone far too long without talking.

“Where am I?” I ask as I look around the room.

It’s large and open. There’s not much furniture in the space. There’s a beautiful kitchen opposite the bed and what looks like a balcony overlooking green fields. It must be late because the sky is no longer light blue. Instead, it’s a mix of deep purples, dark blues, and oranges.

Chase clears his throat before he answers me. “My apartment.”

“You have an apartment?” My eyes snap back to his.

“Yeah, it’s new,” he says as he draws lazy circles on my back. “Just moved in a few weeks ago. I wanted my own space but couldn’t exactly go far. Need to stay close to the farm.”

“So, we’re on your family’s farm?”

He nods. “Converted the top floor of the stables into this. It’s not much, but it’s enough for now.”

I glance back at the kitchen. There isn’t much light, but there’s enough to tell that his kitchen is way nicer than anything I’ve ever lived with. It’s new and fresh and stylish. I’d kill for a space this nice to call home.

I glance back at him. His eyes are locked on me like he’s studying my every move. He’s worried, and I can’t recall the last time anyone besides my dad and Jayla worried about me.

“I passed out on you, didn’t I?” I ask as bits and pieces from earlier in the day come back to me.

His arm around me tightens while the fingers on his other hand brush down my cheek. “Yeah. I was worried. You okay now?”

I nod. “It was just a migraine.”

“I figured that out.” He winces and squeezes his eyes closed. “Please don’t be mad, but I looked up your medication. I had no clue what I was dealing with or if I needed to take you to the ER.”

I cup his cheek. He still hasn’t shaved, and I like the feel of his short beard. “It’s okay. I would’ve done the same thing if I were in your shoes.”

“Do you get them often?” His voice is low and cautious like he’s almost afraid to ask me. I can’t blame him. Not with the way I’ve pushed him away.

“Yeah, too often actually.”

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