Page 103 of Never Your Girl

Instead of responding, I head to the front door.

“Hey, where are you going?” he calls after me.

“I need some fresh air.” My chest is so tight, there’s no way I can stay here.

“Want me to come with?”

“No. I just want to be alone so I can think.”

Just as I reach for the door handle, Steele’s voice stops me in my tracks. “Bridger?”

I force myself to turn and meet his eyes.

There’s a solemn expression on his face. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t.”

His head dips in a stiff nod as I make my escape. The moment I step foot onto the porch, I stumble to a halt before sucking a big breath into my lungs. The chill of the night air is enough to banish the suffocating sensation that grips me. My mind races, every doubt and insecurity bubbling up to the surface.

Once inside the BMW, I press the start button. The engine’s growl fills the quiet street. Instead of pulling away from the curb, I grab my phone, open the chat app, and fire off a quick message to Fragile.

Me

How do you let yourself trust someone when every instinct screams not to?

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

The reply comes quickly, as if she’s been waiting for me.

FragileLikeABomb

That’s a heavy one to start with. Sure you want to go there?

Me

I don’t have a choice. There’s someone… but she’s different.

FragileLikeABomb

Different in a good way or a bad way?

I hesitate as Steele’s words echo in my head.

Me:

Both. Good, because she’s important. Bad, because that’s what makes her so dangerous.

Fragile’s typing bubble appears, then vanishes before reappearing. Finally, her message comes through.

FragileLikeABomb

Trust is always a risk. That’s kind of the deal, isn’t it? You put yourself out there and hope to hell it’s not a mistake.

Me

Yeah, but what if it is? What if it blows up in your face?

FragileLikeABomb

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