Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EVERETT
I called before swinging by Eternal. Lucian seems like a nice guy. After a quick conversation, he promised to have the receptionist put Raine’s things in a box by the front. Sure enough, it’s sitting right next to the same blonde from the first time I stopped by. Fuck, it feels like a lifetime ago. When obligation was the only thing spurring me on instead of the Raine I’ve gotten to know over the past few weeks.
I introduce myself to the receptionist, explaining the situation. She tells me her name and offers me the box. Tucking it under my arm, I place it inside my car, jump in the driver’s seat, and pull away from the curb. My headlights cut through the dark streets while the gas light on my dashboard taunts me, so I pull into the closest gas station a couple blocks down the road.
Turning the ignition off, I climb out of the car, swipe my credit card, and place the pump in my tank. I lean against the passenger door while it fills. A black truck appears at the pump behind me, and a cherry-red Jeep parks up front, blocking me in .
What the hell?
My hair prickles along the back of my neck, but I don’t move, keeping both vehicles in my periphery as I unlock my phone and drop a pin of my location to Griffin along with a quick text.
Me
About to get my ass kicked and need you to pick me up. Bring Reeves. Thx.
After hitting send, I slide my phone back into my pocket when a familiar face climbs out of the truck’s driver’s side. His name is Johnny, and he’s Drake’s friend.
Apparently, Raine wasn’t kidding. Cedar Springs is a small fucking town. All it took was ten minutes for word to get around I was here.
My muscles tense as the Jeep’s four doors open, revealing four more Grizzlies players before Drake climbs out last. I scan the station. It’s empty. Not a soul around but me and my new buddies. At least Raine isn’t here. That’s gotta count for something. Probably should’ve asked Griff to come with me. Not like I expected an ambush, though I don’t know why I didn’t consider the possibility.
Guess that’s on me.
Fuck.
Molars grinding, I rock back on my heels, checking out how close both cars are parked to me. Yup. I’m pinned in. There’s no way I’ll get out of here. There’s also no way I’ll win this fight. Six against one.
Six. Against. One.
I slide the handle out of my car, hook it back on the pump station, and face Drake. No need to beat around the bush when I know why he’s here. His steps are slow—unhurried—as he strides toward me like the asshole doesn’t have a care in the world .
“What are you doin’ here, Taylor?” he challenges.
Don’t pick a fight , I remind myself. “Just filling up my tank, then I’ll be on my way.”
Drake rounds the passenger side of my car and glances inside. “Came alone, huh?”
“Not my brightest moment,” I mutter.
“Apparently not.” He laughs. “It’s a shame you didn’t bring my girl back.”
My mouth lifts. “She was a little tired, so she decided to stay home.” I push myself away from my car, unable to help myself. I shouldn’t. Fuck me, I know I shouldn’t. But as soon as Drake called Raine his girl, I knew I was done for. “In my bed,” I add. “A good fuck can take a lot out of a girl, you know?”
His amusement falls, and I cock my arm back, preparing to at least get a few good hits in until I’m surrounded. Instead, a reverberating thud hits the back of my head, and my knees hit the ground, the jarring running up my thighs.
Then, the world goes black.