Page 105

Fate

Today

All the breath whooshesfrom my lungs from the impact of my back slamming against the ground.

Shit. That hurt.

Not able to immediately move, I gaze into the cloudless night sky and pray no one heard me fall out of the window like a clumsy troll. The damp, cold soil seeps through my sleeves when I push onto my elbows to take a look around.

Bad idea.

"Poppy." Drake’s tone carries a hint of amusement. "You going somewhere, sweetheart?"

"My name's not Poppy." I fall to my back and close my eyes, wishing this moment was over. "Just needed some fresh air is all. I’m fine."

Peeking one eye open, I find him smiling into his coffee mug. His eyes go up to the open window and then back to me, his smile growing bigger by the second. "Right."

And just when I don’t think it can get worse than Nash's badass boss laughing at my failed escape, it does.

"Drake. Pops." At Nash's attempt to hold back his smile, I seal my eyes shut again. "You know we have stairs, right?"

Drake’s amusement at the situation isn’t great, but I can handle it. Nash's chuckle sends a hot flush up my chest to my neck and face.

Sticks and leaves from the bush I nearly impaled myself on prick my palms as I push off the ground and storm toward the truck. The first part of my spur-of-the-moment plan didn’t go smoothly, but that doesn’t change anything.

Low male voices argue behind me before the steady thud of jogging feet grows closer and closer.

"Want to explain what's going on?" Nash says with a hint of laughter still in his tone. Which of course pisses me off.

"I'm leaving." Ripping the truck door open, I slide in and lock the doors. Outside the window, he crosses his thick arms over his chest. Smiling. The bastard. "Don't try to stop me," I yell so he can hear me through the glass. "I'm doing this for you. For them." But as I say it, my plan to leave sounds dumb. Flawed. Irrational.

He doesn't say a word, only stares down through the glass.

"You know it's for the best," I say, glancing up into those brown eyes that send my heart thumping hard against my chest. Damn, he’s gorgeous. "If I'm out of the picture, then Mya's safe. You're safe. This is my fight, and I need to do it on my own, Nash. So let me leave."

Emotional. Cold. Embarrassed. I hug myself in an attempt to ward off reality.

It doesn't work.

A light rapping against the window draws my attention. He makes a circular motion with his hand and points down to the door. Against my better judgment, I crank the window down halfway and go back to staring at the steering wheel.

"Stop it with this shit of you thinking I'll be better off without you. You know that's not true." He reaches through the window and cups my cheek. "Hey, look at me."

I should shake from his touch if I’m really going through with this leaving plan. But I can't, not when his touch feels like home. Warm, comforting, loving.

"Just let me go, Nash."

"Fuck. No. I won’t let you go that easily. You're just scared, but we'll figure it out. Together."

I bite back a smile, knowing he really means it. This hunky man somehow loves me, and I love him. Together. "I don't know how to do this, the relationship stuff, relying on someone. I'm used to being alone."

"Neither do I, Pops. But you make me want to figure it out. Isn't that a relationship, finding someone you'd die to be with rather than go on living without?"

"I snore," I blurt.

"Already know that one."

"I get really moody and emotional sometimes."