Page 101 of Rematch
“I don’t need an answer right now,” Kiara said, saving me from responding. She reached into her purse and dug through the contents. She pulled out two different business cards, one forher restaurant and another for a brokerage firm. “These are my and my brother-in-law’s business numbers. We can schedule a conference call sometime and discuss this in more detail.”
“Thank you,” my father said as he accepted the cards. “I appreciate that step.”
“Oh, trust me, I learned pretty quickly you need to watch who you go into business with. I just want to make sure you’re able to make an informed decision.”
Dad and Kiara talked for a little while longer about their potential partnership and brainstormed ideas to blend their brands. They probably would’ve sat there all night if Kiara’s nausea spells hadn’t returned.
I helped her in the bathroom while my father packed up her leftovers for her.
“It was really nice meeting you,” he told Kiara as we walked with her to the car.
“You as well, Mr. Davis. We’ll definitely be in touch.” She turned her warm smile to me. “Don’t be a stranger, Audrey. Text or call anytime.”
“I will,” I said, returning the smile.
She hopped in the car, gave us one last wave, and shut the door.
Dad and I lingered on the sidewalk, watching the car roll down the street. “Those bad ass boys sure do know how to pick ‘em,” he mused.
I laughed. “They’re notthatbad.”
He raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and I laughed.
As we walked back inside, I realized I hadn’t heard much from Max today. I knew he was taking his brother out tonight, but besides his good morning text, he’s been awfully quiet.
I dug my phone out before perching on one of the high chairs near the counter. My short nails tapped against the screen as I typed.
Me:Hey, I hope you’re having fun with Jayden! Call me when you get home! I need to hear your voice before I go to sleep!
Chapter 42
Max
Fuck,I silently swore, shutting my eyes closed as the glass on the windshield cracked from the thuds of each roll. Those bastards pushed our car right over the edge of the hill, and now the car was swirling down to the bottom.
Even with my seatbelt on, the motion swung me around like a rag doll. My head slammed against the door, the steering wheel and the headrest. I was seeing stars long before the car finally came to a shaky stop.
I took the moment to catch my breath. Still high from the adrenaline, I almost didn’t notice the unnatural hang of my left arm. When they hit the car, the metal bent through on my end and knocked the bone out of its place. I pretended to ignore it, hoping to stall my brain from comprehending the pain.
“Jayden,” I called. With my good arm, I unstrapped my seat belt. “Jayden!”
I turned my head to peek into the passenger seat. My heart plummeted when I saw Jayden hunched over, face down and too still for my liking.
“Jayden,” I yelled again. Navigating around my bad arm, I pushed the driver’s door open and hopped out. I shouted his name again as I flung the passenger door open.
“Hey,” I said, giving his shoulder a rough shake. “Wake up! Come on, you’ve gotta wake up!”
His body jiggled from the force, but he didn’t move on his own. Not a groan. Not a grunt. Nothing.
“Jayden,” I said, my voice more firm. “Don’t do this to me. Come on.” I slid my hand from his shoulder to his head and gently moved it to the side so I could see his face.
Blood was smeared across his forehead and nose. His eyes were closed, not tight as if by force, but lightly as if he were sleeping.
“No,” I murmured, reluctantly sliding my hand to his neck for his pulse. “You can’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.”
I couldn’t take someone else dying on my watch. Especially not Jayden. Not when I’m supposed to protect him. Not when I should’ve been doing that shit sooner.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I felt a soft thudding against my fingertips. It was faint and slow, but at least it was there.
