Page 12 of Hers

Brock moved closer and growled when he smelt the fear, hurt, and anger coming off Sammy in waves. “What the hell did you do to her?”

Slater turned on him, and Brock could see the worry and regret in his eyes, although when they saw him, they turned to fury.

“This is all your fault, Brock. What the hell were you thinking? You didn’t even warn me she thought she was a rally racer.” Slater’s fists were clenched, he was ready for a fight.

“Stop.” Brock held up his hand in the universal sign. “Stop right there. This isn’t my fault. When she came home after my lesson, she wasn’t fucking terrified.” Brock caught Slater’s fist as it came at him.

A whimper from the passenger seat had him pushing Slater out of the way. He knelt so he was eye level with Sammy.

“Hey angel, want to tell me what’s wrong?” Brock kept his voice low and level.

Sammy’s eyes looked unfocused. She didn’t even look like she was with him. She was far off, someplace safe.

“Sammy, it’s me, Brock. It’s safe now. You can come back. I promise no one will hurt you or harm you in any way.”

Brock watched as Sammy’s eyes cleared, and she focused on him. As soon as her body relaxed, she took a deep breath and threw herself at him. Brock wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

“It’s your job to teach me to drive from now on.” She said between a big gasp.

Brock sighed and breathed in her scent as he stroked her hair. “Sure, angel. It will be a thing just the two of us do.”

Sammy nodded against him, and he squeezed her closer to his body. This shouldn’t have happened. Sammy shouldn’t have got to this stage. She shouldn’t be this traumatized. She’d reported Greg to the police her situation with Greg. Brock kissed her forehead and stood noticing Slater had left. He’d talk to him later. But after what just happened. he knew he had to find out what was wrong with precinct Breakaway.

****

Brock taught her to drive the rest of the week. He never yelled, and he stayed calm and never judged or told her she should have done this or should have done that. Brock explained things calmly. He did laugh a lot, but that was better than yelling and calling her nasty names.

Sammy felt silly now for the way she’d reacted with Slater. Sammy wanted to apologize to Slater, but he’d stayed away from her, and she hadn’t seen him the rest of the week. Slater had sent her flowers, teddy bears, boxes of chocolate, and apology letters. Tomorrow was Sandy’s wedding, and she was supposed to be resting and going to bed early for beauty sleep, but she needed to see Slater.

Getting off the bus, she walked down to Glaser. Sammy could see the waiting line the closer she got for the restaurant and wondered if she should have come earlier, but she knew Slater would be here at this time. Debating if she should wait or push her way to the front, she sighed in relief when Anna came down the line checking if people were with a large party group that was already in and waiting on people so they could order.

“Samantha, why are you waiting out here? Come, come on in. Slater’s woman doesn’t wait in line.”

“Hi, Anna, is Slater here? I came to see him.” Sammy bit her bottom lip; still not sure she was doing the right thing coming here.

“Yes. Slater’s in the kitchen driving Richard crazy.” Anna shook her head.

Anna dragged her through the throng of people, who gave her dirty looks and mumbled complaints as she skipped the queue and made her way to the front. Anna got behind the reception desk and pointed her to the kitchen.

“Just go in the kitchen. Slater will be up the front with Richard.” Anna jerked her head in the direction she pointed to.

“Thanks.” Sammy weaved her way through the crowed restaurant astounded at how many people were there. She couldn’t see an empty seat in sight.

Before she reached the kitchen doors, she took a deep breath in and hoped Slater didn’t mind her just turning up here. Pushing the kitchen door open, she stared at the controlled chaos around her and the two men standing at the front of the room towards the food bay arguing.

Sammy watched the fierce look on Richard’s face as he stood up to a furious Slater, who stood over him yelling. Sammy backed up and hit the door as Slater’s voice boomed through the kitchen. Her body started to shake, and her mind told her to run, to leave, and that Slater was someone she didn’t want to know. This was the second time he’d reminded her of Greg. Sammy had barely lived through her last relationship. She wasn’t risking herself again.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she stepped away from the door, and as she looked up and was about to turn Sammy noticed Slater’s eyes on her. Her heartbeat picked up as his green eyes flashed, and she saw the bear come through. Nodding to him, she turned still firm on her decision, after seeing him yelling and towering over someone, that he wasn’t right for her and she wasn’t going to be in a relationship with someone like that again. Opening the door, she walked out of the kitchen hoping the packed restaurant would stop any pursuit from Slater.

Sammy made it halfway through the restaurant before arms circled her waist, and she was carried back through the kitchen and out the back. When Sammy felt the cool night air on her she struggled to get out of Slater’s hold.

“Let me go now, Slater.” She hoped he didn’t hear the fear in her voice.

Slater eased her to the ground and turned her, so she stared up at him. The backdoor light shone on his face as Slater tucked a piece of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear. “Did you come because you forgive me?”

“I did, but I don’t like what I just saw or what you did. Slater, I’m not going back to being in a relationship where I’m walked all over and yelled at. I can’t do it, and I won’t.” Sammy moved back. “I’m surprised actually. I thought Brock would be the one of you who terrifies me, but it’s you. What you did the other day and what I just saw is not for me. I’m sorry.”

Easing by him, she walked down the alley towards the bus-stop. Sammy was surprised when he didn’t chase after her or even comment. She sat at the bus-stop, and for some weird reason her heart felt like it was hurting.

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