Page 73 of If Our Hearts Collide

By the sixth floor, I feel my blisters throbbing, and my breath is a staccato rhythm from all of the cardio. At least my mind is focusing more on the pain, rather than the way every random person bumping into me makes my skin crawl.

“Your feet.”

“I’ll be okay,” I say, trying to keep up the pace with the cluster of people.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s probably another weather alert, based on the mere mass of people trying to get to the bottom floors. I wish I could look up statistics right now on tornadoes hitting apartment buildings and see if any have gotten destroyed. However, right now, I’m trying to stay calm and focus on getting to where Collins is taking me.

“I’m going to carry you.”

“I’m fine,” I say, groaning as someone accidentally steps on my feet. “Ouch.”

“Put your arm around my neck, Pen,” he instructs, slowing down just so I can do as he says.

When I hesitate, Collins takes initiative, scooping me up into his arms when we get to the next landing. I’m not sure how much I weigh, but regardless, Collins doesn’t seem affected in the slightest. He is built like a statue, and while I have seen him shirtless at my birthday party, it’s an experience having him hold me like this during a potential crisis.

He makes me feel safe. Like no matter what happens, he’ll know how to handle it.

“Do you think Graham and Nic will be alright?” I ask, worried over my family.

Collins’s smile is warm. “I’m certain of it. Your brothers know how to take care of themselves.” He shifts my weight when someone bumps into us and shoots the man a warning look.

“It was an accident.” My words come out jumbled. My fear is kicking in, thinking about what would happen if I didn’t have Collins watching over me. I guess I would just figure things out like I usually do. It’s just nice now not having to be alone, after I’ve been alone for so long.

The fluorescent lights flicker. I close my eyes and tuck my head into Collins’s neck, trying to block out all of the panic. It isn’t until I hear a door open and feel the cooler air hit my face that I open my eyes.

“We are going to the parking garage?” I ask, not seeing the logic.

“I have a special card that grants me limited access to the underground parking lot. It’ll be safer and less crowded there.”

I nod and watch as Collins runs with me to another car parked in the lot—a Tesla—and places me into the front passenger seat. Through the access points to the outside, I just see darkness as the rain pelts the side of the concrete building. Whistling wind blows around trash inside the garage, making garbage cans tip over, spewing soda cans and paper about the area.

Collins slides into the driver’s seat and backs out. He follows the arrows leading us to the underground parking, which is more like car storage for the elite. I imagine residents store their nonseasonal vehicles here. Convertibles in the winter and trucks with snow tires in the summer.

Several other residents have the same idea, and I watch as more people join us in their vehicles. Collins lowers the windows, parking his car in a numbered spot.

“Nothing bad will happen to us, Pen,” Collins reminds me, cutting the engine. “We will just wait this out, and when the storm passes, we can go back up.”

I glance out the window. “Okay…”

“Listen… I’m being way overly cautious, but I was hired to protect you, and this is how I am assuring that you are safe.”

“I’m just glad I’m not alone.” My words come out in an emotional rush.

My hand gets squeezed, and it’s such an innocent touch that it makes zero sense for the warmth to seep into all of my limbs like it is.

Collins looks at his phone. “I have zero Wi-Fi signal. But Graham texted me to let me know that this should all pass in about an hour.”

I nod. “Okay, good. Glad he’s alright.” I undo my seatbelt, stretch out my legs, and turn to look at him. “So, we just wait this thing out?”

“Yeah, basically. But I brought a few things to entertain us.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what.”

Reaching into the backseat, he unzips his backpack, removing a pack of Uno cards. “Care for a game of Uno?”

“I should warn you, I’m very good at games.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ve seen you play before. I’m not worried.”

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