Page 74 of Mayhem

We walk outside together, Nate still trailing us. I don’t miss the large SUV parked in the lot, nor the sexy man leaning up against it.

I think back to the night he watched me pleasure myself. How raspy his voice was. The way he held on to my leg. I shiver just thinking about the way his eyes watched me through the mirror.

Still, I pull Hailee right instead of left, toward the waiting bus.

“Willow, get your ass in the car,” Chase warns from behind me.

I glance back at him, smirking. “Sorry. Got plans. Catch ya later.”

“Do not make me come after you,” he growls.

“The thrill is in the chase, babe.” I chuckle, realizing what I said. “I thought you would know that seeing as it’s legit your name.”

He moves to push off the car, and I grab Hailee by the arm and start running. We make it on the bus right as the driver is closing the door.

We rush to find a seat before I look out the window.

Chase didn’t run like I thought.

Instead, he meets my eyes, then he mouths to me,Game on.

As the bus takes off, I settle in my seat.

It isn’t long before Hailee turns to me.

“Damn, girl. That was some hot banter going on. Anything you want to tell me?” Hailee asks, expression full of mischief.

Shaking my head, I smile at her. “Chase likes to think everyone should obey him. I’m just reminding him I belong to myself, not him. He can’t order me around.”

“You’re brave. Or stupid. I’m not sure which one, but it’s going to be entertaining as hell to find out.”

“I’m glad you are enjoying the mess that has become my life. Where did the quiet, hermit girl go? I miss her.” I sigh dramatically.

“She lost her shell the day some loud ass eagle swooped in to grab her,” she offers with a bemused smile.

“I suppose I did swoop into your life as abruptly as they came into mine, huh?”

She laughs. “Yeah, but it hasn’t been all bad. You’re kind of fun to hang out with.”

“Kind of? Wow. What a compliment,” I deadpan.

“Hey, I can’t have your ego inflating to the size of the Rockford boys. I wouldn’t know what to do with it.”

I pretend to shudder. “No one would. Good looking out.”

“Always. That’s what friends are for.”

There’s that word again. Friends. Like there will be some permanence to this connection. Like she would be there for me if I needed her.

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had any friends.”

She looks sad for a moment. “That’s okay. You have one now. Hey, isn’t that Chase’s SUV?”

I look up as the bus comes to a stop outside the trailer park.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

Chase is standing right outside where the bus driver stops, making it impossible to avoid him.

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