Chapter 9
Nine
“I really appreciate you coming all the way out here, Sloane. And so late in the day. It means a lot to me that you were so flexible this week.”
“It’s no problem, Chloe.” Sloane shoved back the anxiety bubbling in her stomach as she looked out her client’s front window at the fading daylight. Darkness was not her friend. She needed to get going. “You know, just one of the exciting parts of living in a small community and having rural clients. So, are you okay with going back to our regular time next week?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. I’ll put you on my schedule for then. Remember, keep doing those kind things for yourself and prioritize small moments where you can practice those mindfulness breaks we talked about this week.”
Sloane said goodbye to her client and made her way out to her car. Home visits were not a regular part of her practice, but for housebound clients, she was more than happy to make the effort to meet face to face where they were comfortable. Especially in a rural area where internet connection issues didn’t always make telehealth visits possible. And it felt good to know that her services were truly available to anyone in the community who might need them. She just needed to remember not to schedule appointments so close to dusk.
Trying to distract herself, she let her mind wander to all the things she needed to take care of before she could call it a night. Although the appointment had been on the later side that evening, she’d still had a few hours of administrative tasks ahead. But even that long list of tasks couldn’t keep her mind from wandering to Gage for very long.
Slipping into the driver’s seat, Sloane pulled her phone from her purse, smiling when she saw a notification. It wasn’t hard to guess who was messaging her.
Gage:
I’m just saying, I found this incredible BBQ place last month with Hawk and Nash. We’re talking the best pulled pork and ribs I’ve ever had in my life. My LIFE, Red.
Gage:
I’ve got to go back and have more. Please don’t make me take the guys again. I can’t listen to their bickering. Seriously, it’s going to kill me.
Gage:
Okay, okay. I hear you in the silence. You need more time to think it over. Just know, there’s this incredible bakery not even a mile away from the BBQ place that has a twenty layer chocolate cake. Don’t tell Dolly I said this, but we can stop in there and get a slice if you want.
She laughed, plugging her phone in so all the controls connected to her car. There was a part of her that wanted to say yes to Gage. To be free from her overactive mind. Would he want to hold her hand again on the date? Would he want to kiss her?
A hug between her and her girlfriends was nearly impossible until about a year ago. Not that she really had any friends before Mae came into town with the guys from Montgomery Defense. She was warm and friendly to people when she had to be, but Sloane had mostly kept to herself, buried in her work. And then when Lily entered her life, well all bets were off. There was no way Lily would have let her get away with not being her best friend.
Her whole chest warmed at the thought of her friends. Even being around the guys had gotten easier in the last few months. The way Stone had looked physically pained by having to cross that boundary to check over her injuries the night of the race popped into her mind. Yes, because he had been so respectful, but also because Gage had carried her for a long time in his arms—and she hadn’t felt panicked. Anxious, yes. Worried, yes. But not about being so close to him.
Sloane pulled out of the driveway, flipping her high beams on as she turned onto the dark country road. Nighttime driving was not her favorite, but she’d just take her time.
She wanted to say yes to Gage. He was safe. And kind. And was always trying so hard to get her to smile or laugh. But there was something in the pit of her stomach urging her to ignore her heart. Anxiety that was pushing her to isolate.
A car approached in the opposite lane, and Sloane dimmed her headlights. She noticed a vehicle coming up fast behind her. There was barely a shoulder on that part of the road, but Sloane moved over as much as she could in case the person driving wanted to pass her. Of course, there were no lines on that particular rural road, but she’d had people pass her in similar situations. She was fine with that. Whoever was driving the truck, which was now nearly on her bumper, clearly was not.
They revved their engine so loud that Sloane physically shuddered. She slowed down, flipping her blinker on as she moved even closer to the ditch. But the truck still didn’t go around her. In fact, they began flashing their lights at her aggressively. Her heart went into overdrive. Should she stop? Were they trying to get her attention? Every fiber of her being was shouting to get back on the road and hightail it out of there.
So that’s exactly what she did.
Her foot pressed down on the accelerator, and her engine revved as it followed her command. For a moment, that provided room between her and the truck, and relief flooded her. But it was short lived.
“What are you doing?” Sloane gasped as the truck accelerated, nearly ramming into her bumper before backing off. They turned on their high beams, this time leaving them on, lighting up her car and making it impossible to see the dark road in front of her.
“CALL GAGE!” she screamed into the car’s command control center. The line rang twice before his voice boomed inside her vehicle.
“Hey, Red. I was wondering when I was going to ? —”
“Gage…” Shit. The truck accelerated again, flashing their high beams into her car. She could barely see the road, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly they ached.
“Sloane? What’s going on?”
“Someone’s following me. Out on Kingsley Road. They’re shining their high beams into my car and it’s so hard to see.”
“How far outside of town are you?”
Her eyes flicked again to her mirror. The truck was revving up again, speeding closer and closer to her.
“Ten minutes. I tried to pull over but they just pulled over with me. It’s scaring me, Gage. I’m going almost eighty. They’re so close behi?—”
Sloane’s whole body jolted forward as the truck slammed into her bumper. She let out a scream, her hands squeezing impossibly tighter around the steering wheel trying to maintain control of the car at the insane speed she was going.
“Sloane? SLOANE! Answer me!”
“He…he hit my bumper. He’s ramming me!”
“I’m going to have someone call the sheriff’s office. Just stay on the line, and look for anywhere that you can turn off into that’s busy.”
“There’s no businesses between here and town.”
“Okay, just keep driving. I’m going to meet you at Dolly’s. Don’t stop before then.”
“I’m scared… He’s going to hit me aga—” Sloane hadn’t been able to finish the sentence before the truck barreled into her bumper. Only that time, it wasn’t a straight on hit. Everything around her moved as if someone had slowed down the frame rate on the movie of her life.
The car started to skid out of her control. A scream dislodged from her throat just as the vehicle spun into the trees on the side of the road. Sloane’s door crashed into the thick trunk of a tree and in the last second of consciousness, she felt pain radiate through her body as her head smashed against the window before the darkness calling out to her finally pulled her under.
* * *
“They’re never going to win the Cup if they keep playing like a one-goal lead with twelve minutes left means they’re advancing,” Hawk groaned.
“That’s why you shouldn’t be a Louisiana Lakers fan.” Gage laughed as Stone threw the jab at Hawk.
He just shrugged. “Blame my Papaw. I was born into the fandom. Never given a chance to pick another team.”
“You could have switched anytime, idiot.” Mae threw her pillow across the room at her brother.
“Yeah, right. Like you would risk Papaw Bill’s wrath? Remember the time you were dating that Malone kid and Papaw caught you two kissing on the back porch?” He turned to face Gunner and Lily. “Kid had his hand up her shirt and our dear old granddad made Mae stand up in front of our family at Sunday dinner and admit what happened.”
Stone choked on his hamburger. Gage watched his buddy’s face turn bright red as he looked over at Mae.
“What? We were young and in love. Papaw was out of control.”
“You could say that again.” Hawk laughed. “Mae and I saw this man hurl a twenty pound frozen turkey across the living room one year because our cousin was moving to Atlanta.”
“Why was that an issue?” Gage asked.
“The Lakers and the Atlanta Freeze are rivals,” Mae shrugged.
“No one goes against our Papaw,” he shuddered. “That cousin isn’t in the will anymore.”
The goal siren on the TV sounded and Hawk groaned. “See? Absolute idiots. They’ll never change.”
Gage stood, chuckling to himself.
“Where you going, Tracker? Don’t want to watch this disaster any more?” Nash laughed, taking a pull from his beer.
“Just getting a break.”
“Want some company?” Gunner asked as he leaned over and kissed Lily on the top of her head.
“Yeah.”
The breeze on the balcony was a welcome relief. But the thoughts warring in his mind were not. Because a certain redhead who refused to text him back was front and center and nothing he did seemed to shake his mind free.
There was no doubt he was attracted to Sloane. Fuck, he couldn’t resist her, no matter how hard he tried. The look on her face as he walked with her in his arms out of the forest had been on his mind since it happened. She trusted him. Holding her hand at lunch had felt like the biggest accomplishment. And after all the months of watching her be isolated and so reserved, it felt like a huge step forward.
Was he trying too hard? He’d been sending her messages all week, and barely heard back from her. Maybe he was coming on too strong…
“What’s got you all in your head?” Gunner asked as he closed the door behind them.
“Sloane.”
“You still think someone was out in the woods with her?”
Gage nodded, settling into one of the Adirondack chairs Hawk and Mae had on their balcony. “Yeah. I’ve been trying to look into that client she had to let go of, but nothing’s coming back as a red flag. By all accounts, he seems like a decent guy.”
“Your gut is saying otherwise?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what it is about Sloane, but I just can’t seem to think rationally around her. The way she acts, how standoffish she is… the thought of someone hurting her is killing me.”
“It’s obvious you have feelings for her.”
“She’s our friend.”
Gunner’s eyes narrowed and he knew his best friend was about to call him on his bullshit. “You think you and I look at Sloane the same way?”
Gage growled. “You better fucking not.”
“Exactly. And what if Hawk or Stone said they were into her? Would you be okay seeing them flirt with her? Would it be okay for them to ask her on a date?”
“No.” His back teeth were clenched so tight at the thought of Hawk trying to hold Sloane’s hand… leaning in to give her a kiss. Fuck.
“Alright. So, what’s the problem? Is this about Mel?”
“No.” Gage sighed. “Maybe. I always thought Mel was it for me. I don’t want to do something that would make it seem like I’m not still in love with her. Because there is a part of my heart that will always belong to her.”
“It’s cliche as fuck to say it, but I’m going to anyway. Mel would want you to be happy. She’d be the first fucking person in line to befriend Sloane. There’s no doubt in my mind that Mel would have Sloane out of her shell and dancing on a bar top in no time.”
Gage laughed. Mel had always been the life of the party. She was fiery and passionate and so fucking kind. She had been his perfect match when he was young and wild and not afraid of what heartaches the future could hold.
“Sloane is kind of her complete opposite,” Gage admitted.
Gunner scratched at the stubble on his jaw. “She’s quiet and independent. But I know I’m not the only one who sees her beating the crap out of our hanging bags when she trains. She’s tough, too. I mean, from what Lily told me after everything happened last year, Sloane is the reason she was okay. So, she has her quirks? Big deal. Mel was exactly what you needed back then. But now… yeah, I think Sloane might be. And that’s okay. Good, even.” His hand landed on Gage’s shoulder, and he squeezed. “The question is, are you going to step up and be who she needs?”
“I’m trying, Reap. She could have a list a mile long of things I need to do to make her feel safe, and I’d make sure I checked every single thing off. But every time I chip away at her guarded walls, every time I make a little progress and we take one step forward together, something happens and we seem to take ten steps backwards.”
“She’ll get there. Just because you and Mel dated for half a second before tying the knot doesn’t mean all relationships have to move at that pace.”
“Says the man who married his wife before he was even in love with her… or even dating her for that matter.”
Gunner laughed. He and Lily had gotten married to give her access to his health insurance when she was pregnant with Sage. And so that Gunner could protect her and the baby from her ex. No one would ever guess that Gunner wasn’t Sage’s biological father. He was so in love with his girls, and Gage had never seen the grumpy man happier. “And I’d do it a million times over. Best decision I ever made.”
They sat in silence for a moment, Gunner looking back over his shoulder into the apartment while Gage let his friend’s words bounce around in his mind.
“You really think Mel would be okay with me having these feelings for Sloane?”
“I think, above all else, Melody would want you to go on living. Not just surviving, Gage. Their love, and their loss, is something that is going to stay with you forever. But that doesn’t mean you stop living. You’ve been a shell of yourself since the day you lost them, which is fucking understandable. But the guys and I all see it. When you’re around Sloane, there’s something that lights up in you, man, and I’m all for it. You won’t forget Mikey or Melody just because you decide to live again.”
Gage’s phone rang in his pocket. For a second, he thought it was going to be Hawk calling him back in to watch the game, but when he pulled his phone out, he saw that guess was wrong.
“It’s Sloane.” His brows furrowed as he answered the call. “Hey, Red. I was wondering when I was going to?—”
“Gage…”
The panic in her voice was clear and Gage didn’t waste any time jumping to his feet.
“Sloane. What’s going on?”
“Someone’s following me. Out on Kingsley Road. They’re shining their high beams at me and it’s so hard to see.”
“How far outside of town are you?”
“Ten minutes. I tried to pull over but they just pulled over with me. It’s scaring me, Gage. I’m going almost eighty. They’re so close behi ? —”
Her scream cut through the line.
“Sloane? SLOANE! Answer me!”
“He… he hit my bumper. He’s ramming me!”
Gage snapped his fingers at Gunner, before pointing at him.
“I’m going to have someone call the sheriff’s office. Just stay on the line, and look for anywhere that you can turn off into that’s busy.”
“There’s no businesses between here and town.”
“Okay, just keep driving. I’m going to meet you at Dolly’s. Don’t stop before then.”
“I’m scared… He’s going to hit me aga ? —”
Another scream tore his heart in two, only this time, he heard the sick crunch of metal before the line went silent.
“Red? Red!! Answer me! Please, answer me.”
Gage dropped to his knees, a hollow feeling settling into his bones, protecting him from the rush of nausea and all too familiar pain that was about to follow.
“What?” Gunner asked, dropping down next to him. “What the fuck just happened?”
“Sloane… her car…”
Gage, through blurry eyes, saw the moment Gunner understood his anguish. “An accident?”
He couldn’t nod. He couldn’t move. The line had disconnected and all Gage could do was stare at the black screen on his phone, waiting for Sloane to come back on and tell him she was okay. That history wasn’t repeating itself. That he wasn’t going to lose her, too.
“She tell you where she was?”
He didn’t respond. His brain wouldn’t let him do anything other that look at that fucking screen.
“Gage! Fucking look at me.” Gunner’s hands squeezed his arms. “Did Sloane tell you where she was? Do you know where she was driving?”
“Kingsley Road,” he choked out.
“Let’s go.”
“I can’t lose her too, Reap.”
“You’re not going to. I need you to get up. Sloane’s car has automatic crash notification, I know because Lily was looking at the same model and I wanted to make sure if something happened, it had that feature. So the sheriff’s office should have been notified, but you’re going to call for help too, because you heard what happened. And while you’re doing that, we are going to get in my truck and fucking book it to her. Now, Gage. Take my phone and call it in. I’ll make sure your line stays clear in case she’s able to call back.”
Gunner’s hand clasped onto his shoulder as he tried to stand. Fuck, his legs felt numb. He wiped a hand over his face, shocked when wetness met his touch. When had he started crying? Gage forced himself to stand and put one foot in front of the other.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?” Lily's voice floated around him.
“Sloane was on the phone with Gage. He heard her get into an accident.”
“Oh god. Is she okay?” Mae’s concern was so clear in her voice.
“The line went dead…”
“Shit. You guys need to go. Let us know what’s happening. If she’s at the hospital, we’ll all go.”
“Yeah, okay, Hawk. I’ll let you know. Lil, you and Sage stay here until I get back or we know more.”
“Take care of him…” a hushed whisper from one of their friends warned.
“Let’s go, Track. Make the call.” Gunner’s hand smacked him in the back and out of his stupor. He dialed emergency services, rattling off all the information he had as he jumped in Gunner’s truck.
The drive out to Kingsley Road was silent, and he cursed himself for not knowing Sloane was out driving at night. It was reckless. Thoughtless. Why the hell hadn’t she considered something like this happening?
Blue and red lights filled the dark road as Gunner took the first curve.
“Oh fuck.” Gage heard his friend curse under his breath as he moved to release the seat belt that strangled him. “Wait, Tracker…”
But Gage was already opening the door. He jumped from the truck, not caring about the burning shock that moved through his body as he landed rough on the pavement. All he could think about was getting to her.
Time seemed to be standing still. It felt like he was fighting upstream through rapids. Just one look. He just needed to catch one glimpse of her, to know she was alright. But every which way his eyes moved, he saw nothing.
Dark tire marks ran the length of the road, swirling around in a nauseating never ending spiral. Gage followed those markings until his eyes landed on a vehicle smashed against a tree.
A minivan.
Dark blue and heart-breakingly familiar.
The bumper sticker announcing a baby on board scraped half off.
The side Mikey’s car seat sat on, crushed beyond recognition.
Mel’s driver side window smashed from where her head hit.
Glass crunched under his shoes as his legs started to give out.
“Gage?” Sloane’s voice pulled him back. Blinking to clear the fog from his mind, he saw Sloane’s silver car, the front end crushed against a tree.
His head swiveled, finding the open door of the ambulance and her piercing eyes staring straight at him.
“Sloane!” His boots hit heavily against the pavement as he jogged towards her. The paramedic inside the rig with her finished taping a bandage to her head. As Gage climbed into the back of the ambulance, he didn’t miss the way she was gingerly holding onto her left wrist again, or the blood that soaked her shirt and the sticky trail down from her forehead. “Christ, Red. Are you okay?”
“I’m going to be fine. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes sparkled and Gage’s stomach pitched.
“No, I’m so glad you called me and I could get here. That was smart. Did you already give a description of the vehicle to one of the deputies out there?”
“She needed to get her laceration taken care of. I’ve already told the deputies to meet us at the hospital.” The paramedic in front of him looked young, but guessing from her no-nonsense attitude, she was well seasoned in her position. And she seemed to put Sloane at ease. None of the tension was there in her face like it had been in the woods when Stone needed to take care of her leg.
“I already said I’m okay to not go.”
“Sorry, Ms. Donovan. You were a bit out of it when we arrived at the scene, and you told us you lost consciousness after the accident. I’m done cleaning up this head wound, but it is protocol to take you into the hospital for evaluation, and we still need to see about that wrist.”
“It’s Doctor Donovan,” he corrected the paramedic. “And you’re going,” Gage growled before Sloane could argue again. But from the way her shoulders fell, he could tell she didn’t have any fight left in her.
“You don’t have to come. I’m sorry you drove all the way out here. I should have called 9-1-1 instead. All I did was cause you to worry.”
“I’m glad I was the person you thought to call, so you can stop worrying about that right now. And I’m not leaving, Red.” He stepped closer, holding out his open hand to her. It only took a second for her to slip her hand into his. And fuck, his heart immediately calmed in his chest as soon as she did.
* * *
“This really isn’t necessary, Gage. You could have just dropped me off at home.”
Gage opened the door to his apartment and Sloane walked in. His hand hovered right above the small of her back, not knowing whether she would welcome the touch.
“You heard what the doctor said. You need someone to stay with you, at least for tonight. And it’s smarter to be at my place, where Stone is next door if something happens.”
“I really doubt I’m going to need a SEAL team medic’s help in the middle of the night.”
“Just humor me, Red. Christ, I think I lost a decade off my life tonight.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled, her arms wrapping around her stomach.
Sloane’s left hand was now in a brace, a result of multiple suspected sprains in such a short span of time. And even with her face washed and the laceration on her forehead cleaned and bandaged, Gage could still see the toll the night had taken on her.
“Do you want to sleep?” he asked, looking down the hall towards his bedroom. He’d let her sleep in there. The second bedroom was set up with all his computer gear, and the only other place to sleep was on the sofa. But with all the nights he’d spent sleeping on the ground in some remote off grid, undisclosed location, the sofa was just fine for him.
“No. I’m weirdly wired right now. Could we maybe just sit up for a while?” Before he could even answer, she was back stepping. “I mean, would it be okay for me to stay up a while? You don’t have to. I’m sure I’m interrupting your nighttime routine. I already hate that I’m intruding.”
“Don’t over think it. I’m not ready for bed either. How about I make us some tea and we can put something on the TV? But before that, why don’t I grab a change of clothes for you.”
Sloane cringed as she looked down at her blood stained shirt. “I hadn’t even thought of that. Thank you. And tea sounds perfect.”
“You can follow me.” Gage led her down the hallway and into his room. He couldn’t help but smile at the hesitant way she lingered in the doorway while he walked into his closet, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a Navy shirt off the shelf.
“I think the pants might be a little big, but if you roll them a few times, they should work.”
She took the clothes in her hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll just close the door behind me and you can come into the kitchen when you’re ready.”
Sloane nodded, standing perfectly still as Gage walked into the hallway, closing the door behind him. Fuck, he couldn’t move. What if she was in pain trying to get her clothes off? What if she got dizzy pulling his clothes on?
He worried himself into such a frenzy that the next thing he knew, she was opening the door dressed in his clothes, frowning at him.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“I… uh, I wanted to stay close in case you needed anything. I was worried you might feel dizzy or sore and need some help.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’m okay. Could really use that cup of tea, though.” She smiled weakly at him and took another step into the hallway.
“Right. Yes, tea. Good.”
Gage watched as Sloane moved towards the kitchen, but he didn’t miss how her face winced at the movement. Before he could stop himself, his hand slid to her elbow, and he helped guide her to the table.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. “I think my body is starting to realize it was in a car accident tonight.”
“It’s probably best to take it slow and rest.”
Gage got busy, grabbing two cups out of the cupboard and turning his kettle on. He felt Sloane’s eyes on him the entire time.
“You’re thinking awfully loudly over there, Red.”
She smiled, and that simple act broke free some of the tension he was carrying in his chest. “I never would have picked you for a tea guy. And certainly not one who had a kettle to boil his water in.”
“I’m offended,” he scoffed playfully. “I happen to love tea. My mom would always make me a cup of chamomile when I’d have a hard time sleeping as a kid. Worked like a charm to help me fall asleep.”
“That’s really sweet.”
“Yeah, except now it’s turned into a nightly habit. Can’t seem to turn my mind off until I have my chamomile fix.”
“There are worse vices to have.”
“I guess so,” he shrugged. “You want any sugar or honey for yours?”
“Oh, honey sounds nice.”
“Perfect. I have wildflower or lavender? Either of those work?”
“Wildflower please. I honestly can’t tell if this is real life or if I’m in a fever dream from my head injury.”
Gage set the two cups of steeping tea on the table and laughed. “It’s real life, but Red? Not everyone knows about the tea habit. So maybe we can keep it just between us?”
Her eyes lit up. “Sure thing.” She grabbed her mug, adding some honey in before stirring. Gage watched as she lifted the mug with her right hand, her left still cradled in her lap. Her lips pressed gently against the cup and he could see the moment her body relaxed.
“Good?”
“Really good. Thank you for this.”
“You have to stop apologizing and thanking me. You being here is purely selfish. I know this is going to sound weird, but I was planning on spending the night in my truck outside your house if you hadn’t agreed to come here. I’m worried about you.”
“God, I’m glad I came here. I can’t imagine your old bones sitting in a truck all night.”
Gage’s mouth dropped open, and he watched Sloane’s face light up with laughter.
“It probably would have hurt more than when I was in my twenties, but you’re worth it, Red.”
She winced again, and Gage got to his feet.
“Is there anything I can get you? Are you in pain? We should have gotten that prescription filled at the hospital. I think the only thing I have is some over the counter shit that probably won’t even touch it at this point.”
“I promise, I’m fine. My wrist is just sore. It’s not even as bad as when I landed on it in the woods. Come sit back down.”
“No. I’m going to get you something. And you’ll need to eat. Is your stomach still feeling queasy?”
“I’m okay for now.”
The sound of her scream from earlier in the night filled his mind. It was all he could hear. She was sitting there in front of him, sipping on her tea, but it just repeated on a sick loop, over and over and over. A switch flipped inside of him, and he was flooded with worry.
“You’re not okay.” The tension in his body roared back to life. Anger bubbled under the surface as he thought about how horribly wrong the night could have gone. “None of this is okay, Red. Christ, what the fuck were you thinking, driving alone at night?”
Her brown eyes went wide at his harsh tone. And that fucking gutted him.
“I was thinking I’m a grown woman who has been driving for nearly twenty years. That my client needed me, and I was going to do everything in my power to be there for them. I wasn’t thinking someone would decide to take their road rage out on me, but that’s life, Gage. Sometimes, bad things just happen. And they’re scary because they are completely out of our control.”
“I think I know that better than anyone else, don’t you?”