Page 13 of Hide From Me

But she’s still replying. That means I haven’t lost her. Not yet.

One more chance, sunshine.

I hit send while turning down the side road. Rain streaks across the windshield like cracks. The road’s half-lit, mostly empty, and too damn quiet.

Or what?

I don’t reply. Not yet. I’ll show her exactly what.

My eyes scan the roadside—then I spot her car, parked half off the shoulder, hazard lights blinking weakly. A figure leans under the hood. Tall. Male.

My pulse spikes as I kill myheadlights.

I coast to a stop a few yards behind them, engine humming low. I don’t get out right away. I need a second. If I don’t breathe, I’ll do something reckless. More reckless than this already is..

The guy steps back from the hood, wiping his hands on his jeans. He says something to Raylen, and her shoulders lift in a shrug. She’s soaked. Cold. Acting calm, but I know her—she’s masking it.

My grip on the wheel tightens until it creaks beneath my hands. I pick up my phone and hit call. One ring, two... I swear to God, if she doesn't answer, I might just admit myself to an insane asylum.

Three rings, and then I hear it—her soft breathing filters through the line.

“Don’t hang up,” I say, my voice low and sharp. She doesn’t respond right away.

“Tell me where you are. I know I’m late, sunshine, but I’m on my way.” I’m trying my hardest to give her a chance, silently begging her not to make the wrong choice so I don’t have to reveal just how bloody insane she drives me.

Suddenly, a guy’s voice comes through the line, muffled. “I think it’s just your battery. I told you last week to—”

I see red. There’s no hiding it. It’s easier to mask my irritation when I’m observing from a distance, but hearing it, too...

“Who’s that?” My voice is quieter now, deadly calm. That’s worse.

“Someone who actually showed up,” she replies.

Of course she’s pissed. She thinks I left her hanging, but damn it, I’m here now. I’m trying.

“This isn’t a game, lass,” I growl. “But if you want to play, wecan.”

“Don’t call me lass,” she snaps back, but there’s a slight tremble in her voice—confusion, not just anger.

“You wanted casual. You wanted rules. Fine.” I pause. “But if you bring strangers into the game,I choose how it ends.”

“What are you—” I grin as her head turns and her mouth snaps shut when her eyes land onmy car.

I hang up. I’ve already given away my position, and there’s no fighting it back now. Pushing the door open, I step into the drizzle, boots hitting wet gravel with a deliberate crunch. The man—her mechanic orwhatever the hell he is—straightens and turns. The second he sees me, his eyes narrow, recognition flashing across his face.

I know him.

He works at the diner. The one who watches her too closely when she isn’t looking. The one who talks too much and laughs too loud just to keep her attention.

“Ray?” he asks, glancing between us. “Someone’s here.”

She freezes when she sees me moving towards them. Her phone still in her hand, knuckles white.

“I’ve got it from here,” I say calmly.

The guy hesitates. Doesn’t move.

Raylen turns her head toward him.