Page 25 of Beautiful Collide

“I’ll be quiet the whole ride,” he calls after me. “You won’t even know I’m there.”

“That’s the dream,” I retort, not bothering to look back.

I’m halfway there when I feel my phone vibrate. I pull it out of my pocket. It’s Dane.

Dane:Give him a ride.

“Seriously?” I hiss, spinning around to face Hudson. “You went to my brother?”

“What? Can’t hear you. You’re too far away.” His voice carries a mocking tone as he cups a hand to his ear.

He’s such an ass.

My phone buzzes again.

Dane:Please, Molly.

I groan, my jaw clenching as I read the message again, hoping I’ve misunderstood.

Molly:Tell him to take a bus.

Dane:Molly.

I can practically hear the warning in his tone, and it grates on my nerves.

Dane:I can always fire you and ask my new assistant to drive him . . .

Of course. Dane fires me five to six times a week. He’s under the impression that I’m only working for him out of guilt and that I’d be happier pursuing my own interests. Sure, he has a point. A tiny one. Practically microscopic, if you ask me.

At the end of the day, I need to stick with Dane.

He gave up his life for me.

It’s only fair.

And that’s why I refuse to accept his firing.

Molly:As if you could actually fire me.

Dane:Don’t tempt me.

Dane:Just drive him. Please.

Molly:Fine. But you owe me hazard pay.

Dane:Thanks.

I can hear Hudson’s footsteps crunching the gravel behind me. As much as I don’t want to because I know I’m not ready to see his smug face, I have no choice but to turn and look at him. He’s almost here, and I’m not okay with him behind me.

I pivot sharply. “What are you doing?”

“Getting a ride,” he says nonchalantly, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“I can’t believe you ratted me out to my brother.”

“I didn’t rat you out.” He shrugs, his lips twitching into a smirk.

“Yeah. Okay. I’ll bite. What did you do?”

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