Page 34 of Better Hide

I swallow. Cole’s demeanor has changed. He’s serious. I throw a glance back at Jayden. He’s sitting up straight—alert. When he’s sitting up, I remember just how big he is.

Fuck. I clear my throat. “I won’t try anything. I just want to go to the bathroom.”

We stop to get gas in the front lot. Cole tells me to wait and fills up the car while I gaze at the building. I sit patiently as Cole gets back in and pulls into the backlot. Our SUV feels smallcompared to the rest of the semis. Cole pulls into one of the long parking spots meant for a truck.

“I’ll stay here,” Jayden says.

Cole just nods and turns to me. “We’re going to take this off. Just for now.”

I hold still as Cole takes the collar off. When it’s off, I pull in a deep breath of relief. Fuck, I can breathe. Excitement runs through me.

“Wait.” Cole gets out and rounds the car. He’s being bossy, but I’ll accept it if he lets me out. Cole pops open the door with a flourish of his hand. “Let’s go.”

I don’t even argue with him. My bladder hurts. I step out of the car and suck in a breath of fresh air. Fuck, yes!

Cole grabs my hand. I hiss as his hand squeezes a scrape on my palm. He immediately lets go and grabs my wrist instead. He jerks me closer to him. “Don’t fuck with me right now, Jo. In and out, then we’re leaving.”

I let him pull me along. The lot is nothing but asphalt, semis, and oil stains, but it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen.

When we walk into the store, the bell dings. It’s moderately busy with people getting snacks and taking bathroom breaks before they get back on the road again. It all feels so…normal.

Cole asks something, but I don’t hear him. He squeezes my wrist so tight that I snap my gaze to his. He looks pleasant, but I see the glint of warning in his eyes. “Grab what you want.”

“Bathroom.” My bladder twinges.

“It’s in the shower. First, food.”

I think about arguing, but I don’t. I glance around, orienting myself. I go to the food section, grabbing a fruit container, some nuts, and some yogurt. My mouth waters. It all looks good.

Cole doesn’t stop me, so I go to the drinks. My stomach churns at the sight of the waters. I have to use my other handto grab a juice, and it looks weird with him clinging to me. Cole reluctantly lets go.

“Deodorant.” I move to the health section.

“No.” Cole herds me toward the counter. “You can use mine.”

I look around him. “Toothbrush?”

“You can use mine.”

I frown at him. “Gross.”

He smirks at me. “I think it’s hot.”

“Of course you do,” I mutter and move with him, grabbing some more snacks off the racks. “Wait! Pain pills.” I turn again. My arm is throbbing like a bitch against the groceries piled up in it.

“Have those too, little one. I’ll give you another when we get back.”

“Fine.” I huff. Cole goes to pay for the items, putting on his usual charisma. There’s a pretty cashier behind the counter, and immediately, I stiffen. Cole makes easy small talk with her. Nothing about his body language suggests he’s flirting, but still, irrational anger fills me.

“Can we get a shower too?” Cole asks, smiling at the cashier. I smile sweetly and stomp on his foot.

The puff of air Cole lets out makes a victorious thrill run through me. He grabs our stuff and chuckles in my ear, “I’m just getting you your shower, lemon drop.”

I huff.

“You jealous?”

“No,” I scoff.

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