Page 82 of Forever Filthy

“Any chance you know where my guys are?” I hedge.

He smiles and nods. “Come on, I'll give you a ride.”

“Oh, you don’t have to?—”

He cuts me off before I can finish. “Trust me, you are saving me from having to listen to my dad and uncles talking shit about how they could beat me and my team's ass.” This time I can’t help but laugh. Dawson playfully glares, then leads me out of there with a hand on my back. Neither of us speak until we climb inside his car. I don’t realize I’m shivering until he turns the heat on.

“Thank you,” I force out, trying not to let my nerves overcome me.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“I’m not,” I fire back.

He gives me the side eye as he drives. “You’re bouncing in your seat.”

I instantly stop and tuck my hands between my legs to keep from fidgeting. “Where are they?”

“Packing,” he answers.

“For what?” I push.

“Your guys and your brother and Nova are coming up to my family’s cabin for Christmas. I believe your mom and the guys’ families are coming as well.”

“Oh,” is all I can manage to say, I have no right to feel left out.

“They didn’t want to go, Vivian. I practically forced them and blackmailed them by telling them that your guys' families needed to take their mind off everything. They relented.”

“Okay,” I mutter.

“We’re all heading there tomorrow.” I smile and nod, unable to form words. They were going to leave me behind. “No they weren’t.”

I snap my head toward him. “Huh?”

“You said that out loud.”

“Oh.”

“They made sure that my Aunt Katie would be taking her laptop and that the search for you wouldn’t stop while we wereall away. I may have also used the excuse of them being able to watch Aunt Katie work to twist their arms into coming as well.”

“Why are you doing all of this?” I ask as he pulls his car over to the curb, just outside the guy’s house.

“Because my family went through something similar, different circumstances but still the same. I get what it feels like to feel trapped and I wanted to help. Plus, I actually like them.”

“You mean, you like them because they want nothing from you and you think you may have finally found some friends that won’t use you for your last name?” His face loses all trace of humor.

“Yeah, it’s nice to know that not everyone wants to know me because my last name is Dawson.” I reach across and place my hand on his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Dawson, I’m happy I get to call you a friend.”

“Me too, Vivian. Now, get out of here before those three realize you’re out front and beat the snot out of me for you being in my car.” I can’t help the laughter that bubbles out of me. Dawson has helped lighten some of the tension coursing through me without even knowing it.

Ready or not, here I come.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Ezekiel

Hayze and Archer are sprawled out on the sofa watching the game, CHU Elite against the Sharks. I shake my head when Corvin Williams throws a long ball to Darius Lockhart who scores the touchdown. The Sharks team is out of breath and practically dying. The CHU team has run over them with ease. I flip the steaks in the skillet just as there is a knock at the door.

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