Page 27 of The Bronze Garza

Stories have become my safe haven.

“Yeah, it was okay,” I lie.

She loops her arm through mine. “We can do something like this once a week. Little by little. Until you’re comfortable with being outdoors again.”

“Sounds good,” I say, with no intention of following through. “So, how are things with Toby?”

“I think I’m gonna break up with him.” She sighs dramatically. “I’m bored.”

“Do you think maybe you’re just gay?” I ask through a short laugh. “Because every guy you date seems to bore you.”

“Nope. Not gay.”

“How do you know?”

“Because my roommate was gay. I kissed her and Idid not like it.”

I giggle. “You’re something else.” As we exit the building, I glance around. “Where did Patrick go?”

“He’d left the theater to take a call but I don’t—”

“Hey, wait up!”

We turn to find Patrick jogging out of the building. He swirls his car keys around his finger when he catches up to us. “Did you ladies forget that I am your ride?”

“You’re the one who disappeared on us,” Holly gripes. “Some chaperone you are.”

He slings his arm around her shoulder. “Would you like to get ice cream on the way home?”

“Totally down,” she agrees as we start across the street to get to the parking lot.

“Sure,” I answer through a breath of sarcasm, “and then I’ll just hurl it all up l—”

“Watch out!” Patrick shouts, and I’m jerked, almost toppling backward as Holly’s arm separates from mine.

It’s too late for me. I’m too far out into the road. Whether I jump backward or forward, I’m still going to get hit.

One minute the sporty black car was parked on the side of the road, and the next it’s swerving right at me. There are no headlights to blind me, and no horns to warn me. Just the roaring of an engine at an unstoppable speed.

And the last thing I think before the impact is made and I’m sent tumbling over the hood of the car, is,this is not an accident.

I hear and feel the crack in my ribs as my body hits the asphalt. Holly’s scream pierces through the loud din rushing in my ears, while the roaring engine of the car fades, drawing farther and farther away.

Something wet trickles down the corner of my mouth.

As frantic and alarmed shouts increase around me, my consciousness dulls, dimmer and dimmer, until it flickers out into nothingness.

ChapterSeven

“She’s not broken, she’s angry.”

Torin

“What part ofI’m on vacationdoes everyone not understand?” I growl the second the elevator slides open.

Guy sidesteps out of my way but falls into stride with me. “We’ve tried to tell him that, boss, but he won’t deal with anyone else. And since he’s a big account, didn’t think you’d appreciate it if we told him to fuck off.”

Shit’s sake.