Page 27 of Skid
Defensive, I yelled, “Is this what you want to see? How much of a disaster I am? Well, now you’ve seen it, so you can go.”
“You’re not a disaster, and I’m still not leaving until you’ve calmed down.”
He reached over, grabbed the box of tissues from the end table, and handed me one as he stood with his tattooed arms crossed and worry filling his handsome face. I wiped the tears and blew my nose, not caring if I was unladylike.
“Can I get you some water?” he asked, and I nodded as I sat down on the couch.
The memory was receding, and my heart rate was slowing down as I watched him grab us bottles of water from the fridge. He entered the living room and handed me one before asking, “Can I sit down?”
I took a swallow and glanced up at him before nodding and moving my gaze to the far wall of the room. He sat with a cushion between us, giving me space as he watched me. His concern was admirable, but I knew he wanted to bail.
“I’m okay now. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.” I gave him a way out, and he slowly reached over and took my hand into his. I loved the connection to him, grounding me in the present, and I looked at him with a tremble in my chin. “I’m sorry.”
“Never apologize for a nightmare. Ever. You can’t stop the demons that chase you in your dreams, and I won’t ever judge you for it.” I wanted to smile but couldn’t as he continued, “My sister, Sadie, had nightmares for years after she survived something pretty bed. Something no woman should have to experience. I won’t give the details, but I understand how monsters can be real when they find us asleep.”
“Does . . . does she still have nightmares?” I asked, curious if it’s possible to slay your demons or if I was going to be haunted by my naivety and stupidity forever.
“Not anymore. She finally found a way to put them to rest, and she’s thriving now.”
I scooted closer to him, and he cut the distance, gently wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I rested my head against his chest before I asked, “How did she put them to rest?”
His voice grew dark, and I felt the words vibrate in his chest as he replied, “I killed them and sent them to hell where they belong.”
Looking up, I could see the hardened truth in his eyes, and I asked myself, could Dalton be the one who could finally help me put my shameful past to rest once and for all? Would he be willing to kill for me the way he did his sister?
Not wanting to ask anything more, I explained, “Thank you for not running. I know it would have been easier than seeing my crazy join the party.”
He kissed the top of my head and replied, “You’re not crazy, Grace. But if you are, you’re my kind of crazy.”
If I ever trusted him enough to tell him everything, I hoped he meant what he said. Not many people could fathom the whole truth.
Chapter 11
Skid
Leaving Grace thatnight was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I wanted to hold her, praying to keep the nightmares at bay, so I quickly rode to my trailer, and I watched her most of the night to ensure she slept. The next day I showed up before breakfast, and when it was time for her to go to work, I patted the back of my bike, encouraging her to climb on.
