Page 36 of Forgiving Fate

Fire ignites all over my body and I don’t want to rush her, but now that I am miles from home, the pain is getting worse.

Not wanting her to think she upset me, I say, “Yep. If people were just fucking decent humans, no one would have to get their asses kicked for being giant pieces of shit.” A chuckle escapes me, and I watch as her shoulders relax.

Her attention shifts back to the cabin and I walk around to stand next to her, still giving her space. “The house is clear. There is a keypad on the door to unlock it, but there is also a key on the counter. The code is next to it with instructions on how to change it. My mom stocked the house with anything you couldneed. There is enough food in there to feed an army,” I chuckle and continue.

“There are security cameras that I will give you access to. You can change the password and everything tomorrow. You have my number in your phone. Call me if there is anything wrong. I live less than five minutes away. And tomorrow I will take you into the city so you can get a decent phone. They should be able to get you set up with one that can have all your old information on it. And if you are up for it, we can see about getting you a car, so you aren’t stuck here.”

I expect her to tell me no since we spent the past week together, but she nods. I think it has more to do with the fact that if it’s not me doing this…it would be Logan.

I watch as she grabs everything from the car and makes her way to the house. Just as she gets to the door, I say, “Allie?”

She turns and glances over her shoulder.

“Anything. I promise. No matter what time of day.”

She nods and continues to walk into the house. Just as her foot crosses the threshold, she turns, hesitates for a second, then says, “I—um–Thank you.”

I nod and wait for her to shut the door, but something stops her.

“Hey–um…”

Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I wait for her to find the words she’s searching for.

“Uh…Why did you stay outside of my door that night in the hotel?”

Her question shocks me for a moment, especially after the night she just had. I would have thought that moment would be the last thing on her mind.

Going with the safest answer, I say, “To make sure he didn’t come back.”

Her eyes narrow at me. “After what I’ve seen tonight, I suspect that if someone messes up, they don’t just walk free. So how about the truth this time?”

Damn. This girl is fucking perceptive.

And because I promised to always tell the truth, I say, “Because I shouldn’t have let him get close enough to with you. This world is full of bad people, and my distractions convinced me I had missed someone else lurking. So I did the only thing I could. I used myself as a barrier, because if anyone wanted to get to you, they would have to go through me.”

Not having the capacity or strength to watch for her reaction, I back away, but pause as I get to my car.

Allie stands there for a few seconds before nodding and I wait for the sound of the lock engaging and feel a wave of relief rack my body.

I did it. I fucking did it. I got her here safely.

Not safely dumbass. Remember the hotels…

Rolling my eyes, I get in the car and make my way to The Hideout. Anger rises in my chest as the fire returns. My body cramps and my hand hits the steering wheel.

“Why can’t I just be fucking normal?” I yell to nothing and no one.

The drive is quick and as I pull into the driveway of The Hideout and see the lights shining inside, the bikes, trucks, and s parked outside, I want to turn around and go home.

But I can’t. So I park next to my truck, and get out. I have never been so happy to see a vehicle in my life. Driving for days, cramming my six foot one ass in that tiny car day after day has made me miss my truck and bike.

I know I just got back, but I need a damn vacation. One where no one will need anything from me and I can take my bike out for hours, then come home and drown out the voices.

I’m happy Allie is safe, but I’m fucking exhausted. And this night is far from over.

Pushing through the doors of The Hideout, all eyes turn to focus on me.

Logan is sitting on the couch in Gray’s lap with an ice pack pressed against her face. Noah is at the counter placing slices of pizza on plates. Wes is missing and I know he is probably having the time of his life in The Playhouse.

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