Chapter 2

The ride back was quiet. No radio. No talking. I’d scared everyone pretty thoroughly. Tucker had my hand clutched in his on the seat between us, and every time he came to a stop sign or a light, he’d look over at me. I kept my eyes straight ahead, afraid that if I met his gaze, he would know. But I watched him through my peripheral vision. The strong set of his shoulders and the tick in his jaw. I wondered if, somehow, he already knew. Maybe not what his cousins had done but that I was hiding something.

We pulled into the wide wraparound drive at his house, and he ran around before I could even pull the handle on my door.

“Thanks.” I managed to smile up at him.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled him closer, needing to feel him, needing him near. I nipped at his bottom lip, my tongue asking for entrance, and he let out a soft groan, his tongue slipping in to meet mine. He was gentle, but I was needy, my tongue caressing and begging for more as I clung to Tucker’s strong form.

He stepped forward, his hips pushing my knees apart, and he pulled my waist to drag my hips against his. His length hit my core, and I moaned at how hard he was. Some sick part of me awakening even after all I’d been through tonight. I was ready to crawl up this man’s body and ride him until I screamed.

“Izzy, wait.” Tucker gently pulled my arms free from his neck, giving me one last peck before standing to his full height. Those whiskey eyes of his looked down at me, and I could see so much that he wasn’t saying. The way he was asking me to confide in him. To tell him what I was hiding. The frustration and anger he was holding back.

I squeezed his hand in mine and dropped my head to his chest, breathing in that smell that was just him all over again.

“You think there’s more to it tonight.”

“I know there is,” he said gently. I looked up at him, my expression asking how. “Because Annie doesn’t go into freaked-out twin mode over nothing.”

I groaned and lowered my head again. “It really wasn’t as bad as you’re probably thinking. I ran into Zane outside of the restroom and got kind of freaked out.” I felt Tucker stiffen but continued, knowing I had to tell him at least part of the truth. “He’s basically determined to get me back, which will not happen, but he was there with David tonight. Which, long story short, is how I ended up talking with David before heading back to y’all. I did not mean to freak y’all out. I’m so sorry. I swear.”

Tucker stood stock still for several seconds before placing a finger under my chin and tipping my head back so my eyes could meet his. “Are you okay?”

I swallowed, fighting back the slight prickling behind my eyes. “Yes. Now that I’m back in your arms, I am.”

“I want to know everything he said.” Steel embedded through his undertone.

I shook my head. “Not tonight, please.” I was too exhausted, mentally and emotionally, to wade through any more of it tonight.

He sighed, reading my expression. “Fine. When you’re ready. But you’re never taking off at the races without me or Jet with you again.”

I had to laugh at that. “Deal.”

It was Annie that was going to be the tougher sell.

After a long stretch wrapped up in Tucker’s arms, he finally walked me home. I ignored the pull in my middle to head to my makeshift studio in the garage as I slipped inside the quiet downstairs. If Annie came home and found me there, there’d be no putting her off from what happened, so I headed straight for the shower, spending an ample amount of time washing off the feel of Ryder’s hands from my body. Even scrubbing my mouth with my loofa to rid the feel of his lips and the taste of his blood.

I knew it was all in my head, to a certain extent. Tucker’s lips were the last to touch mine, his hands the last to explore my curves, but I felt better, nonetheless.

Quickly towel drying and then blow drying my hair, I brushed my teeth and spread on my nightly moisturizer, doing my normal routine. It was when I was running lotion over myself that I found the darkening bruise at the back of my hip. I shifted, looking over my shoulder in the bathroom mirror to get a better look at it, the moment from the car tonight instantly replaying in my memory, and I shuddered.

Get it together, Isabel. Nothing actually happened. Micah stopped him, and David got you out before it got worse.I refused to acknowledge who else had been there. In no way would I associate him with being my savior. Not after what he’d done barely a week ago.

I heard the door open downstairs and hurried to slip on my pajamas, managing to cover my bruise just as Annie got to our room.

Her eyes raked over me, and I already knew she was looking for signs, for any details or nuances that might help her fill in the gaps from tonight.

I flipped back the top of my purple and black comforter, crawling onto my bed on my knees. “I’ll tell you what I told Tucker because I know you felt something was wrong. I ran into Zane after going to the restroom. Yes, he wants me back. Yes, he said other stuff. But no, I’m not ready to get into any of it tonight. I’ll fill you in later after I’ve had some rest and a chance to process.”

Annie just stared. Then, as soon as I thought she was going to blast me for holding that much back, she just nodded. “Okay.” And headed into the bathroom to start the shower.

I sighed, dropping back onto my bed, and threw the covers over my head to bury everything out, begging for sleep to come.

I woke after what felt like minutes, but the utter silence and stillness in the night air around me told me it was much later. My heart raced, my nerves running rampant throughout my body. I couldn’t remember exactly what it was I had dreamt, but I was far too on edge to even hope for anymore sleep. A tap on the screen of my phone told me it was just past four in the morning.

Slipping from the covers, I quietly selected a pair of leggings and a sports bra from my dresser before grabbing my AirPods from the nightstand and crept downstairs, careful not to wake anyone in the house. I glanced in Mom’s room when I passed the kitchen, seeing her even and steady breathing, and gently shut her door, not wanting to disturb her in case I got too loud.

Heading just down the hall, I slipped into the garage, the familiar smell of sweat and old motor oil filling my senses already calming my nerves as I changed into the clothes I brought down with me. My shoes were in the corner behind the door, and instead of blaring my music through the speakers like I usually did, I set up my phone on Daddy’s old workbench and slipped on my headphones, my muscles melting and warming the second the beat touched my ears.

Hours passed in my oblivion before I finally trudged upstairs for another shower and fell back into bed. It was midmorning before I woke, and I spent most of my day with my family before Mom shoved Annie and me out the door again, telling us to enjoy our last evening out before the school year started.

We met up with the guys and rode over to Summer Ridge for a movie, then headed to Nachos Ole, our second attempt at a double date night. Tucker and I took one side of the booth while Annie and Jet took the other, the four of us laughing and chatting as we filled our plates from the massive platter of nachos we’d ordered for the table. I was just getting a second helping when Jet burst the bubble.

“So, what exactly happened with Zane last night?”

I froze, a nacho halfway to my mouth, and Annie elbowed Jet in the ribs. He rubbed at his side, but his eyes stayed fixed on me. Everyone’s did. I lowered my food back to my plate and crumpled a napkin in my palm before rubbing my hands down the skirt of my dress against my thighs.

“Um…”

“You don’t have to if you’re not ready,” Tucker offered.

My whole body sagged with a sigh, just hearing that, it was enough to make me comfortable enough to share. “No, it’s fine.” My lips tilted in a slight smile before going into everything Zane had said and done when I’d first seen him last night. I stirred the straw in my soda, my eyes fixed on the swirling ice as I filled them all in, needing something to focus on besides the way Tucker’s arm stiffened behind my shoulders.

“I’m gonna kill him.” Annie’s hands balled into fists at the edge of the table when I was done.

“No. That’s my job,” Tucker’s deep voice growled.

Jet covered one of Annie’s hands with his, rubbing gently with his thumb. “I think it’s up to Izzy what we do.”

He and I exchanged a small smile. The levelheaded ones of our group. He knew I wouldn’t want them lashing out.

“I think he was just mad when he saw me there with Tucker. I told David what he did wasn’t forgivable. Hopefully, he’ll get the message.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Tucker stared down at me, so much anger and ferocity in his gaze. My protector.

“Then I’ll try to reason with him. I understood you fighting him the last time, but that doesn’t need to be your go-to.” I sighed when I saw him ready to argue. “Really. Zane was over the line, but I do not want y’all bringing it up with him. It’ll just make it worse. I’m sure of it. Can we please just let it go? This is not how I want to spend the last night of summer or this date.”

Annie slumped back in her seat as Tucker’s stance eased beside me. “Fine. I’ll let it go for now, but if he pulls anything like that again, I can’t promise I’ll hold back.” I nodded, exchanging a smile with my sister. I didn’t expect anything less.

“So, you’re sure that was all?” Jet asked just as I started to eat again, and I nearly choked on my bite of nacho.

“Um, yeah, why?”

“Just asking.” He shrugged, though there was a knowing look in his eye. “I’ve seen Annie’s reactions when things are up, and this one seemed pretty big for Zane just being an intimidating ass.”

“Well, after he slapped me around last week, I’m sorry if dealing with him alone was upsetting,” I snapped.

His brow raised, and he frowned. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

I sighed, hating this side of myself. The side that snapped at my friends for worrying. The side that was basically outright lying to them. Maybe I should just tell them. Ryder threatened me if I did, but would he really do anything? I was afraid to find out. I also hated keeping it inside. I’d been on edge all day.

“No, I’m sorry, Jet.” I looked around at my friends. “So, uh–” I paused with the swing of the restaurant door, my eyes widening as Micah and Ryder strolled in. Micah headed up to the counter, but like a beacon, Ryder’s gaze locked in on mine. He smirked, then raised a brow in warning as he glanced from me to Tucker.

I swallowed, my mouth instantly going dry as every muscle in my body froze.

“Shit. What are they doing here?” Tucker grumbled.

Annie and Jet’s heads whipped around, and they groaned. “Okay.” Annie grabbed her phone from the table. “Don’t know about y’all, but I’m officially done now. Y’all ready to go?”

“Please.” I nodded, already sliding from the booth. Tucker threw some money on the table and handed me my purse before wrapping an arm around my shoulders, blocking me from his cousins as we hurried past.

The second we were out the door, I slipped out from Tucker’s hold and speed-walked to his truck, quickly hopping in the passenger side. He climbed in seconds later and pulled me over to meet him in the middle, his fingers lacing through mine, steadying them through the tremors I hadn’t yet noticed as Annie and Jet got in the back.

“You okay?” he asked, pressing a kiss to my brow.

I nodded, already relaxing in his hold.

“They will never touch a hair on you again if I have anything to say about it.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. If he only knew.