Page 26 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

CLOSE CALL

LAYLA

Colt’s fingers trail up and down my body, our eyes glued to each other. After sharing a pizza, we watched True Romance, and inevitably got distracted, winding up in bed.

“I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself,” Colt says. “It’s nice to see you finding your voice against the people who try to hurt you.”

“Thank you. I’m proud of myself, but you helped bring out this side of me. Maybe I don’t want to be involved in the things you do, but don’t discount the positive impact your love has had on me in such a short time.”

He kisses me. “I’m sorry for waiting so long. I think we need each other more than we ever understood.”

“I agree. We should go on a drive tomorrow,” I suggest.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I can’t be a driver’s girlfriend and not know how to handle a car, so I want to keep practicing.”

“Of course we will go out. It’s hot watching you drive my car.” He leans in to kiss me. “I like this, you right here, in my bed for the rest of our lives. I love you babe.”

“I love being in your bed, and I love you too,” I whisper, burrowing myself into his chest and falling into a deep sleep.

The next day we went for a drive, and I spent the rest of the week living with Colt.

After everything that happened with Simone, I don’t want to be anywhere near her.

Partly because I’m a coward no longer running on adrenaline, but also because I’m not sure why things had to take such a drastic turn between us.

Sure, she wasn’t always the nicest sister, but we were there for each other during the hard times.

All of this seems a bit extreme, even for her, which has me wondering, is there another reason she’s behaving this way?

Ever since it happened, I’ve seen her around the neighborhood when we drive to and from our classes, and she looks like shit with a massive black eye and bruised cheek. Even her excessive use of makeup can’t hide the damage I inflicted on her.

My hand hurt for a couple of days, but thankfully it wasn’t that bad. I’m not sure if people respected me more for it or if I just made more enemies in my attempt to stand my ground. Either way, that shit had to stop and a message had to be delivered.

It’s Thursday morning, and I wake up to the sound of the shower running. I look at the mattress beside me, and Colt is missing. Still naked, I get up, throw on my robe, and walk into the bathroom.

There he stands in the shower, the water streaming down his muscular body. When he opens his eyes to see me watching him, he pushes the door open and gestures for me to come in. The second I step into the steam, Colt takes the back of my neck and pulls me into a kiss.

Our lips smack as we pull apart, and he leans his forehead against mine, the water running down between our bodies.

He turns me so my back is beneath the stream of hot water, and I tip my head back, wetting my hair.

Colt grabs my shampoo, lathering it between his palms before delving his fingers into my hair.

“I have to do some things for Williams today, so I’ll have to drop you at the train and miss class. I’m sorry,” he says gently as he massages my scalp.

“Mm, it’s okay babe. When will you be home?” I ask with my eyes closed, loving the sensation of his expert shampooing.

“Tonight. Probably after you get home. I’m giving you some cash to take a cab after class.”

I shake my head, leaning it back to rinse my hair out. “No, no, I’ll be fine on the train. I’m taking it down anyway. Plus, I’ve been doing it for the last three years without issue.”

“Take the fucking cab, Layla,” he says sternly. “You know how I feel about you on the train, especially at night.” He gives me a don’t-argue look, and I nod repeatedly. “Good girl.” He kisses my forehead.

We soap up our bodies and rinse off quickly, getting ready for the day ahead. Colton drops me at the train station before he takes off to do whatever it is for Williams. I’d rather not know, so I don’t ask.

I’m sure the car theft is just the tip of the iceberg.

I get to the three-hour lecture early, and as always, I’ve read ahead, so I manage to listen and work at the same time. The professor drawls on the entire time, and when class is finally done, I go to the library to do some more work. My usual Thursday routine.

I grab my books from the shelves and take a seat at the large tables.

As soon as I sit, I hear a flurry of snickers and whispers.

When I look over, I see Serena sitting with her minions, sneering in my direction.

She crosses her arms and licks her teeth, glaring at me like she’s trying to intimidate me.

I’m sure they’re chuckling at my expense, but I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t the one who got bitch-slapped and banned from Colt’s. She knows better than to come near me.

Ignoring them, I throw my headphones on, turn my music on to drown out the catty giggles, and start working on my paper.

A few hours pass before I decide to finish for the day. When I look outside, I realize the sun has gone down. I sigh. I hate that it’s dark so early in the winter. It’s the worst part about it for me.

After putting each book I borrowed back in its respective spot, ensuring it’s placed exactly where I found it, I head back and pack up my stuff. On my way out the door, I pull out my phone and see a text from Colt.

Mysexycarman : Hey baby. I’m sorry. I’m stuck out for a bit longer. Take a cab home. Love you.

Layla: Okay, love you.

Pushing through the library doors, I’m greeted by a cold gust of wind whipping through my hair and down my spine. I punch in the number for the local cab company, but it's a thirty minute wait since I’m leaving at rush hour.

I shiver and look at my watch. The bus will be here in two minutes, so I decide last minute to take it versus waiting half an hour in the cold, and it’ll save Colt his money.

I quicken my pace to the bus shelter for some reprieve from the cold, my nostrils sticking together with each breath. Within the expected few minutes, the bus arrives and I hop on, making the transfer from bus to train and settling in for the hour ride.

After a quiet train ride, I get off and start the walk home.

The first taste of winter winds are really starting to bite despite the unseasonably warm November we had.

I pull my jacket up higher around my neck, wishing I brought a scarf or a hat.

I really have gotten too comfortable with all the driving Colt does for me.

It’s like I have totally forgotten how to dress for the elements.

When I get back to The Shores, I cut through the dilapidated park to save a couple of minutes. Ducking my head against the wind rushing around me, I hurry along the dimly lit pathway, the hairs on my neck suddenly standing on end.

A second later, a blunt force comes down on the back of my head, taking my breath away. I drop to my knees, my bag and phone falling onto the ground beside me.

Stars speckle my vision and I fall to my stomach, not comprehending what just happened.

My brain is not communicating with my legs or arms to get me to move.

All I can smell is piss and alcohol, and as my vision starts to clear, I turn my head and see Bruce, the friendly local street junkie behind me.

He grabs my hair roughly, making me yelp. “You’re gonna get what’s comin’…ya fucking bitch,” he says menacingly in my ear. He lets go of my hair, and I take the opportunity to throw my head back and headbutt him in the nose.

He yells, grabbing his face, and falls back as my adrenaline kicks in. I stumble to my feet, trying to run, but I can’t seem to move fast enough. Bruce catches up to me easily, grabbing me by the waist and throwing me face-first up against the work shed.

“Help!” I cry out, but his dirty hand covers my mouth firmly, muffling my pleas.

He pushes against me, pinning me to the wall.

My palms brace beside my head, trying to push off the shed, but he puts a knife to my neck.

My breath catches in my throat, and I freeze, feeling the cold blade against my flesh.

His beard prickles my neck, nose running along my skin as he breathes me in, and my entire body trembles in fear.

“Your gonna fuckin’ stay still and shut up, or I’ll slit your fuckin’ throat,” he growls. Tears pool in my eyes, sliding down my cheeks.

A second later, he lets go of my mouth, leaving the blade against my neck.

Panic seizes me when I hear the sound of his belt and zipper being undone, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

I struggle as he tries to pull down my pants, bucking my hips to shake his hand off, but he stops and pulls the blade tighter against me.

“Ah!” I cry, feeling the knife cut into my skin. A drop of warm blood trickles down the front of my neck.

“I told you not to move! You don’t fuckin’ listen, do you?” he hisses.

I’m shaking so badly I’m practically convulsing.

Bruce the junkie is about to rape me, or I’m dead.

I keep my eyes closed and wait for it, praying it ends quickly.

He continues to pull my pants down around my ass, the cold air nipping at my skin.

I feel his disgusting dick slap against me, and I cry out again.

“No! please don't!” I shriek through tears.

“I said shut the fuck up!” he shouts, wedging the blade tighter against my throat.

“Hey! Take your fucking hands off her!” a deep, angry voice booms from behind us.

Colton.

My eyes shoot open, and the blade loosens against my neck as Bruce turns to see who it is. But before he can, Bruce’s body is abruptly pulled off mine with grunts and groans. I turn around to see what’s happening and see Colt on top of Bruce, beating the shit out of him.

I pull my pants up and crouch down to the ground, holding myself in a ball as I watch Colt go to town on this guy.

“The fuck, Bruce! Why?” It is strange behavior for him. He has always been the friendly neighborhood drunk.

What changed tonight?

“F-Fr-Franky sent me! He-he paid me to do it!” he shouts, raising his hands in defense. Colt’s arm is drawn back, waiting to deliver the next blow.

“Layla’s my woman, and if you fucking go near her again, I’ll kill you with my bare hands! You understand me?! You fucking junkie!” Colt roars.

“Y-Y-Yes,” he stammers out shakily. Colt throws one last fist down and knocks Bruce out cold.

He gets up and rushes to me. “Baby. Baby, I got you.”

He embraces me as tears fall from my eyes. I continue to shake, in shock from what almost happened. Scooping me into his arms, Colt carries me to the car, stopping to grab my bag and phone on the way back.

He puts me in the car and takes us back to his house, parking in the garage and closing the door behind us.

I haven’t said a word, and remain silent as he leads me upstairs and into the bathroom.

He undresses me and showers us off, gently scrubbing the dirt from my skin.

Setting me on the counter, Colt tends to the small cut on my neck and the abrasion on the back of my head before putting me in pyjamas and tucking me into bed.

The mattress dips as Colt sits down beside me, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close. Thank god he showed up, or right now, I’d be even more traumatized. He doesn’t say or ask anything, he just holds me as the shaking slows.

“I-I want you to get me a knife or a gun. Teach me how to use them. Teach me how to defend myself,” I whisper.

He kisses my head and leans his chin against me. “I’ll teach you, baby. I can definitely help with that,” he says gently.

I don’t know how long we sit like that, but as the adrenaline leaves my body, exhaustion hits and slumber takes over. As I drift off, I feel the bed empty beside me, and I’m left to a dreamless sleep.