Chapter 24

"When are you getting your car back?" Tia asks as I put on my seatbelt.

My car was back at the shop for the second time. I'm thankful to have someone like Seb to take care of the maintenance that comes with it.

"Seb said it should be ready soon. They had to put on new tires, and there was a part they had to order in."

I glance over to Tia. "Why, sick of hauling my ass around?" I smirk.

"Ha! No, I'd rather drive you around anyway, but D-boy fired my ass and took the job." She pouts dramatically as she pulls onto the road.

"Oh, this is my jam." Tia turns up the radio and sings along to "TQG" by Karol G and Shakira.

I'm shaking my head at her when my phone dings.

Donnie: Hey, I won't be able to see you tonight.

Me: Is everything ok?

Donnie: Yeah, I forgot I made plans with a beautiful girl with a cute button nose.

What the…

Me: I don't know how to respond to that.

Donnie: She likes to eat her hand.

Before I can respond, he sends me another text with a photo.

It's a picture of him and Sophie with her hand in her mouth. God. What he does to my heart. I love him more each day.

Me: We're about fifteen minutes out. Be home soon. Xo

I tuck my phone away with a big stupid grin on my face and listen to Tia sing out of tune. As we pull off the highway, bright headlights flash behind us.

"What the fuck is this guy's problem?" Tia reaches for the radio and turns down the music. I glance back through my mirror and notice the driver getting a little too close.

"Ah, Tia…"

"I know," she says in a quiet tone which means she's just as freaked out as I am.

She increases her speed, but the fucker catches up to her and bumps us from behind.

"Motherfucker!" Tia yells while I scream.

"Tia, just move aside and let him pass.

"Yeah, yeah, ok." Tia starts to turn the wheel to the right, but the driver has other plans. He slams into the back of Tia's car forcing her to slam on her brakes. The momentum forces the vehicle forward, and our heads fly forward and snap back against the seat.

"We need to get back on the highway!" I yell at Tia the same the other car flies past us.

"Call Seb now!" Tia yells as she puts the car in reverse and heads back in the direction we were coming from.

I fumble through my phone and dial Seb's number. He picks up on the second ring.

"What's up?" I hear music in the background and the guys' voices.

"Seb!" I yell frantically.

"Reina? What's wrong?"

"What is this pendejo's deal?" Tia asks. I follow her gaze and see the driver heading back for us.

"Oh, my god! Seb, we need your help. There's a—"

We both let out a loud shriek when the car hits us from behind again, forcing us to run over a curb and hit a parked car.

"What is your motherfucking problem, asshole?" Tia yells at the top of her lungs.

"Reina! What the fuck is happening?" Seb roars through the phone.

As I'm trying to answer his question, bullets hit the back window.

"Where are you?" I hear Seb shuffling around and barking orders at the guys.

"We—we're by the old, abandoned mental hospital." My teeth chatter. I glance over to Tia who white knuckles the steering wheel while tears run down her face.

I try to comfort her, but nothing seems to be working. The driver pulls in front of us and slams on their brakes. Tia had no choice but to make a sharp turn to avoid slamming into the other driver.

Tia doesn't stop. With her eyes focused on the road, she picks up speed yelling at me to hang on.

We need to get back onto the highway.

There's no way in hell the asshole risk getting caught trying to run two teen girls off the road.

"Is he gone?" Tia asks in fast short breaths.

"I think they're gone," I say as I look around the area.

"Did you get a good look at the driver?" Tia asks in a shaky tone.

"No, I didn't."

"Fuck." Tia slams her hand on the steering wheel. "I bet it was that fucker Frankie."

"How could you tell?" I ask Tia still keeping a look out for the driver.

"I can't. It's my gut instinct. That's something he would do since he's Christian's lap dog."

My phone dings but before I check to see who it is, the car in front of us flashes their bright lights blinding Tia. She jerks the wheel to avoid getting hit, but she isn't quick enough.

The car hit us head on, and we're spinning in a circle.

Fuck! Where the hell did they come from?

When Tia's car comes to a stop, we come face to face with the other driver.

He revs the engine ready for his next move.

"Tia, reverse the car and get us out of here." My voice trembles with fear.

"I can't," she whisper cries. "Why does this shit always happen to us?"

The car revs its engine again, and this time, he steps on the gas, heading right toward us, but then Seb's Camaro comes out of nowhere and blocks the driver from hitting us.

The driver's tires squeal to a stop.

Gio and Max are visible through the car window, guns aimed and ready to shoot.

The driver takes the hint that he's outnumbered, and he backs up and drives away.

Seb and the guys jump out of the car to get to us. Gio and Max stay with the Camaro. Seb leans in the window on Tia's side. "Are you ok?" His lips are drawn into a tight line, worry marring his face.

We don't respond. Our heavy breathing is the only sound that fills the car.

"Let's get you home."

When we arrive at Abuela's, I'm too shaken up to say or feel anything. Seb drove me back in his car while Max drove Tia's car and dropped her off at home with Gio and Max staying behind with her.

Donnie comes barreling down the steps, pulling me into his arms. His body shakes with fear.

Thankfully Abuela and Sophia were sound asleep when we arrived. Seb filled Donnie in while I watched my baby girl sleep. Watching her little chest rise and fall and bubbles blowing out of her pouty lips slows the anxiousness inside me.

A soft knock raps at the door.

I look up to see Seb.

"Hey, you ok?"

I nod and look away.

"I'm going to stay and keep watch outside while D stays with you, ok?"

I nod because what else is there to do.

Shortly after Seb leaves, I walk out of my daughter's room and find Donnie in the living room. His body is tense as he leans over anxiously rubbing his hands together.

"Hey," I say in a soft voice, almost like a whisper.

He looks up and anger mixed with fear is etched all over his face.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"What?" I ask nervously.

He stands up and walks toward me until he's a foot away, staring down hard at me. "You called Seb and not me. Why?"

This is why he's upset?

"Because I didn't want to worry you."

He scoffs, looking away from me. Shaking his head, he turns back to me.

"Why do you keep pushing me away? You're always running to him instead of coming to me. Do you think I can't keep you safe?"

"No, I don't think that."

"Then why?"

Because I don't want anything to happen to you. You have a bright future ahead of you. You deserve so much more than what I can offer but I'm too selfish to let you go,I think to myself.

When I don't respond, he walks past me and out the front door without saying goodbye.

Tia called off work tonight, so I wait inside until Seb can pick me up. When I notice a familiar sports car pull up, I want to run in the other direction.

What is he doing here?

With a sigh, I walk out to meet him to avoid another fight. Donnie steps out of the car leaving the door open and stands on the side of the car. He's in dark jeans, hat on backwards, and a charcoal hoodie with the school's logo.

It should be illegal for him to look that hot.

"Hey. I was just waiting for Seb to—"

He slams his hand on the hood of his car. "I know, damnit! You don't have to keep reminding me that Seb is always the one you call."

I flinch. "Why are you angry?"

"Why?" He slams the door and walks in front of the vehicle.

"I had to hear it from Seb that the guys were taking shifts watching your house because of the threatening messages you're receiving. Were you ever going to tell me?" He sounds hurt now.

"Donnie, I didn't think it was a big deal—"

"Not a big deal?"

"Would you stop interrupting me!"

God! He's infuriating sometimes.

With a heavy sigh, I explain. "I didn't want to drag you into this mess, especially with college scouts looking at you."

"What the fuck else can I do to convince you I'm all in?" He throws his hand up in despair.

"Nothing, Donnie. I know you're all in. That was never the question. I just need you to be safe, that's all. Is that too much to ask?"

"Yes."

"What?" I ask, shocked at his answer.

"You know I would do anything for you."

"Exactly!" I point at him.

"But it doesn't change the fact that I want to be there for you. That's the one thing you can't take from me."

Nope. Not happening. Keeping him safe is my number one priority.

"Yeah, well, watch me." I start to walk away.

"Shorty. Get in the car." I shake my head.

"Get. In. The. Car."

"No!" I yell over my shoulder.

"Get in the fucking car!"

"Seriously?" I yell back, shocked and hurt that he would speak to me this way.

"Fuck," he mutters. "Shorty, wait, please!"

I turn my back on him and storm away.

Fuck this.

I make it half-way down the street and am ready to cross to the other side when Donnie's car blocks my path. He gets out of his car, not appearing to care that he's in the middle of the street and causing a traffic jam.

"Shorty, please, get in the car." He opens the passenger door, ignoring the honks and profanities from the other drivers.

"Please, let me give you a ride home." The softness in his voice, and the regret swirling in his eyes is enough for me to give in.

With a heavy sigh, I move toward his car. After shutting me inside, he made his way to the driver's side and climbs into the seat. We ride in silence the entire way home.

When Donnie pulls up to Abuela's house, he finally speaks. "Shorty, can you please look at me?" His voice is gentler.

I turn to face him. "I'm so fucking sorry." His blue eyes are laced with pain.

I turn away from him and say nothing, exhausted with this conversation. "Thank you for the ride."

I get out of the car, shutting the door behind me without giving him a backward glance.