Page 67 of Shadow

Watching him leave, I sat back in my chair, wondering what the hell all that was about. Conner never cared about anyone I dated before. Then again, since I moved to Lawton, I hadn’t had the time to date anyone. I spent most of my time at the radio station or on the phone with countless private investigators searching for my father.

It still rankled me he was out there, roaming free all because of some clerical error, but I knew he’d fuck up soon enough. Until then, I would stay vigilant and trust that Shadow would find the bastard.

After finishing up with my correspondence, I powered down the computer. Gathering my bags, I headed out to my car. With nothing else on my agenda, I headed for the Diamondback Clubhouse.

It was a bright, beautiful day as I pulled onto Quanah Parkway, heading towards downtown Lawton. Looking at the surrounding area, no one would ever know a tornado rolled through the area last night. According to the local news, the small F-1 tornado did minor damage as it skimmed the outskirts of the town. Most of the damage came from the hail that pelted the area, breaking a few windows and damaging a few vehicles.

I loved everything about this area of Southwestern Oklahoma, from how friendly the residents were to the history of the land. While I missed the greenery of the northern states, there was a simple grace to the land that held so many stories I could see it whisper across the fields as the wind blew over the prairies. But for me, it was the people of the area. Calm, laid back and genuine. The people of Oklahoma didn’t put on airs. They owned who they were and didn’t give a damn what anyone thought. They were kind and generous, eager to lend a helping hand and when one of their own was in need, the town became a big family. Though I was still new to the area, I’d been living in Lawton for four years now and I couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else.

I had just turned off Cache and onto Sheridan when someone bumped into my rear fender. It was just a tap, nothing serious, but I felt it, nonetheless. Looking in my rearview mirror, I saw a big black truck with dark tinted window. The big truck right on my ass honked its horn. Pulling into the right lane, thinking he wanted to pass, I watched as the truck followed, staying on my ass.

“Fuck dude, just go around,” I muttered.

Lowering my window, I stuck my hand out, waving him around.

When the truck’s engine revved, damn near bumping my fender again, I sped up a bit. Seeing the Walmart parking lot, I put my turn signal on and moved into the turning lane, just as the big black truck did.

“What the hell dude,” I cursed, getting angry.

Fine. He wanted to be a dick. That didn’t mean I had to. Turning off my turn signal, I pulled back into traffic and gave my car a little gas. Maybe putting some space between us would calm the asshole down.

Well, that’s what I thought.

Only I was wrong.

No matter what lane I moved into, the truck stayed close.

Really close.

Stopped at a stoplight at the intersection of Gore and Sheridan, my phone rang. I had just connected the call when the truck bumped into my fender again.

“What is your problem!” I yelled, turning around in my seat to glare at the bastard.

“Angel? What’s wrong?” I heard Shadow say through the speakers of my car.

“Some moron has been riding my ass since I left the station. He keeps bumping my fender.”

“Where are you?”

“Gore and Sheridan. I’m heading to the clubhouse.”

“Take Gore.”

“I can’t. I’m not in the turn lane.”

“What going on?” I heard someone ask Shadow.

“She’s got a tailgater. Fucker keeps bumping her car.”

“Where is she?”

The light turned green as Shadow told someone where I was.

Stepping on the gas, I moved past the car to my left, put my turn signal on, then quickly changed lanes. Looking in my rearview, the big black truck swerved in behind the car behind me, honking its horn.

“Jesus, this idiot is going to cause an accident!” I shouted, just as the car behind me moved into the right lane, allowing the black truck to speed up and hit my bumper hard.

I screamed, holding the wheel, trying not to have a spin out.

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