Page 10

I throw the car in drive, pulling out of the parking lot as we head toward the final stop on the mile-long list we’ve been working through the last few weeks, the Boot Barn, to pick up the white cowboy boots my brother had made for Hannah.

It’s crazy to look back on their journey.

I remember so vividly how he was with Kara, his manipulative witch of an ex.

The way she aliena ted him from us, how she’d throw a fit if he wanted to hang out with us after games we flew clear across the country to be at.

He was already in Washington, he couldn’t get any further away from us without leaving the states if he tried.

But it was her way or the highway, so we just slowly stopped pushing.

He loved her, or so he thought. Then she lied, used his weaknesses against him, and cheated on him with his supposed best friend.

As if that wasn’t enough, the witch flew from Washington to Tampa when she somehow found out about Hannah and the carnival she was planning.

Her attempt to start a whole bunch of drama was quickly thwarted, but not before she got a good hit in, slicing Hannah’s cheek open in the process.

That was the moment my loyalty to Hannah was cemented, watching her take that blow in my brother's absence. I couldn’t have asked for a better person for him.

She never makes him feel bad or less of a man because he struggles in a way that the world deems “unmanly.” She loves him through it, a steady current of peace and safety.

God, if he had proposed to Kara instead, I think I would have shipped myself to Timbuktu.

Abby’s snicker pulls me from my thoughts on the she-devil, and my eyes flick to hers for a moment before refocusing on the road. “What's so funny?”

The most unladylike snort leaves her before she says, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I mean, yeah, I would. That’s why I asked. But whatever, after an hour of driving, we’re here.

“I’ll grab them,” she says. Her seatbelt is off, and the door opens before I even have the car in park.

Does she have a death wish? I get out and follow her inside the barn-style building that smells like wood and leather.

When she’s satisfied with the boots, she puts the box under her arm and all but skips to the car.

She slides the box in the back before climbing into the driver's seat. Her window rolls down as she checks her watch before looking back at me. “Come on, little buddy. Time to go.”

Sweet mother of pearl. How far away from my house are we? Can I walk there?

Click. I register the sound of the gas pump shutting off. Where are we? Wait, did I fall asleep? It's starting to get dark out, so I must have. Some good that energy drink did, “Why didn’t you wake me up? I would have pumped it for you,” I say as I get out to stretch my legs.

“I’m a grown woman, Tatum, I can pump my own gas,” she says as she puts the nozzle back in the pump and replaces the gas cap. How did I not realize earlier that she needed gas? I would have stopped and pumped it.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I just said that I would. ” I shake out my upper body as she pulls the receipt from the printer, crumples it, and throws it in the trash. “I’m a horrible errand companion.” A sly smile crosses her face as she walks toward the store.

“You said it, not me.” Her smile grows into a laugh as she pulls the door to the convenience store open.

Snacks are always a good idea. Plus, I haven’t eaten much today, so I run in after her.

I grab bags of beef jerky, chips, fruit snacks, and an electrolyte drink because hydration is important.

I dump my snack stash on the counter and then turn to grab the things she has.

Her grip tightens before I shoot an eyebrow up, daring her to fight me on this.

“Fine.” She shoves her things at me just like she did with the list earlier this week, then walks out the door.

Lord, give me strength. After paying, I run to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and pop yet another energy drink open.

I can’t fall asleep on her again. I’d probably wake up with dicks drawn on my face this time.

I’m scrolling through the team group chat as I push the door of the gas station open, stopping dead in my tracks when I see Abby leaning against the side of the car.

Three men crowd her on every side, one with his arms crossed, another blocking the door handle, and one with his arm leaning against the car like he's hitting on her.

The bag of snacks and my almost full drink drop to the ground as I stalk over to her. “What the hell is going on here?” I ask as I push myself between her and the dickheads that are trying to intimidate her.

“You got a boy toy, Knight?” The one in the middle says.

I get a good look at them. They look like the type that peaked in high school.

Awful haircuts, designer clothes, horrid cologne.

The vibe I’m getting is sleazeball. But what pisses me off most is they know her.

I’ve never seen Abby anything but strong, confident, and independent.

Right now, I don’t even know who this person is.

“Tatum,” I hold my hand out, feigning interest. “And you are?” One of them sneers, his eyes so dark they look black as they run the length of Abby’s body.

Her eyes immediately drop to the floor as a shiver rolls through her.

Yeah, I don’t think so. I turn and step in front of her, blocking them from her line of sight.

“You alright?” I ask as I run my hand along her jaw, cupping her cheek.

Her lips part as she looks at me in shock.

I don’t know what comes over me; maybe it’s how stunning she looks when her tough girl armor is off.

Or the fact that I want to take her mind off the men in front of us.

Or I’m suffering from momentary insanity. Whatever it may be, my lips find hers.

Her quick inhale makes me melt into her further. Her hands slide up my chest and wrap around my neck as she pulls me in a bit more. Her lips are soft and warm, and the slight quiver in them has me tightening my hold on her. Soon, our tongues are dancing, slow, searching, like a recon mission.

“Damn, Knight,” one of them grunts. “How come you didn’t melt like that for us?

” We break apart at the question only because she stiffens so much that her head moves away from mine.

Her eyes are wide, pupils blown, and fear is evident in the way her face seems frozen.

She’s not even blinking. They hurt her. I don’t know how, but I have a hunch.

They did something so awful that the toughest woman I’ve ever met has a tear running down her face.

One of these men has no brain cells because he steps in closer to my back, trying to crowd her.

“Come on, sugar.” He drawls, “One scrawny dude can’t be better than us.

” Scrawny?! She cowers into my side, hiding her face.

I don’t even think before I turn, placing my hand on her hip as I shift her fully behind me.

Purposely elbowing the idiot in the ribs as I go.

“Keep my woman’s name out of your mouth.

” My voice is venomous as I enunciate every word, leaving no room for questions.

“I suggest you run along before someone gets hurt.” It’s times like these that I’m glad I’ve perfected the unapproachable look because as one of them starts to say something, I flinch, and two of them hold their hands up as they back away.

Their ring leader lingers, his eyes laser-focused on where her hand rests on my lower back.

The corner of his lip pulls down into a frown as his eyes meet mine.

“Have something to say?” I step closer to him, understanding crossing his face as he begins to back away and join his groupies who have already gotten into the black BMW they came in. Who the hell do they think they are?

Turning back to Abby, she’s shaking, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Come here, sweetheart.” The term rolled off my tongue like it was always meant for her. Pulling her into my chest, I rest my chin on the opposite side of her head, tucking her completely into me.

My hand runs up and down her back as she breaks.

Sobs wrack through her body, a wet spot growing on my shirt at a rapid pace.

It’s taking everything in me not to chase those guys down and hurt them in the worst of ways.

But there’s nothing that could get me to walk away from her right now.

The anger coursing through my veins at the moment can’t be healthy.

I don’t know how long she cries, but when she finally pulls back, I see her.

I see the real, unguarded her. The her that lets me know I’ve had it all wrong the entire time.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I’m sure you want answers, but I can’t give you any right now.

” She steps out of my hold and walks around to the passenger side, pausing as her hand grips the handle. “And Tate?”

“Hmm?” I could stare at her like this for hours. She’s a completely different person than the one I’ve known for years. Raw, gentle, vulnerable, absolutely beautiful .

Then she goes and ruins it by saying, “Don’t do that again,” before sliding into her front seat.

I watch through the windshield as she tucks her knees into her oversized sweatshirt, pulls the hood over her head, and leans against the window, much like I did before.

Checking our surroundings, I scoop up the dropped bag of snacks.

When I’m situated in the driver’s seat, I notice her eyes are closed, the universal sign for leave me alone .

Message received loud and clear. I’ll let it go. For now.