Page 40 of Burn for You

I glance back into the house, and no matter how tempting the thought of my plush mattress is, I take a step out into the downpour. I put my hand over my head as if that will make any difference in this situation.

Did it have to rain tonight? It hasn’t rained once since I’ve been in Ruby Cove. Notoncein the last six months and now it decided to rain, tonight of all nights.

“Shit!” I yell at the universe as I start walking down the street. Not the best time to be wearing sandals, that's for sure.

I start to run, but I don’t last long before I’m out of breath. I can barely see with the raindrops furiously dripping from my forehead and blocking my vision.My white top is now drenched and completely see through.

I don’t even know where I’m going, but I’ll walk until daylight if I have to.

I should’ve never agreed to stay at Rafael’s. I should’ve seen this coming from a mile away.

If I can figure my way to the Lost and Found in town, I could beg for a room just for the night, until I can figure out what to do next.

Headlights light up the path in front of me and I’m grateful for the fact that I can see a bit better. That is until I remember that headlights mean a car is coming up behind me.

I should’ve brought my pepper spray.

“May!” I hear my name as a muffled scream, but I ignore it…until I can’t anymore. Rafael’s truck rumbles up beside me. He’s got the window rolled down so he can yell at me some more.

“Get in the car, May.”

I flip him off in answer as I keep walking. He doesn’t need more than that to know how I feel.

“May, it’s raining. Get in the car.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed!” I yell.

“For fuck's sake,” he mutters before I hear him put the truck in park, but I just keep walking. I won’t turn back, not now.

A minute later, one of my bags is yanked out of my grip. “Rafael!”

“Get in the car, blondie.”

“Why on earth would I do that?” I yell through the rain.

“Where else are you going to go right now?”

“Anywhere but in your proximity.” I lunge for my bag, but he pulls it away.

“Get in the truck.”

I’m so pissed off that I just let my words fly. “You wouldn’t want a slut’s ass to ruin your precious leather seats.”

“I never called you a slut.”

“You might as well have!” My voice wavers. “Now give me my bag.”

“Not happening.”

“Fine.” I turn on my heel and continue walking, reluctantly leaving my bag in the hands of a full-blown psycho.

I hear the distinct slush noise of my bag hitting the ground behind me.

Oh yeah, definitely a psycho.

A hand grabs my arm and swings me around. “God, would you just listen to me for once in your life?!”

I don’t have anything else to say, so I just look at him. At his scruffy hair that’s now plastered to his face with water. At his chest rising and falling as he puffs like he can’t catch his breath. At his brown eyes, waiting to see if I’ll let him speak. I just stareback, letting him see that I will. I feel too defeated for another sparring match with him right now. I just want him to say what he has to say, and I’ll get back on my way.

---