Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
STEVIE
Walking through the mall, I do some everyday shopping—I need a few new girly things.
I pick up some underwear and feminine products, and when I spot a sale sign, I head straight for it.
I’m a sucker for a good deal. Browsing the racks, I find a few nice tops, a dress, and a pair of ripped jeans with stars on them.
At the counter, I grab a new lip gloss before paying for everything.
Leaving the store, I grab a warm cinnamon pretzel and keep walking, scanning the shops for what else I might need.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I feel like I am being watched, but when I look around, no one seems to be paying me any attention.
Shrugging, I keep on walking. I pop in and out of stores, window shopping to pass the time before I go home and get ready for work.
Walking past a store with a model on the window poster reminds me of Logan. My chest aches thinking of him— he has not texted or called in two days and it has made me think all kinds of things.
Especially after what Val said.
It was stupid of me not to reply to his earlier texts but her words hurt, and I had to convince myself that she was lying, but then his texts stopped two days ago.
My stomach suddenly feeling uneasy, I decide to call it a day. Maybe some time with Aunt Cass will help me. Maybe some of her herbal tea will settle my anxiety— I feel like I got played by them both.
A part of me is still believing that Logan wouldn’t do it.
I have had boyfriends cheat on me before and it is not nice, even if things were not serious. It is the idea of being with someone, while they spend time with other people, that make me sick to my stomach. It also did not help when I refused to have sex with them.
I have to be at work in a few hours, so I decide that I have done enough shopping and head back to my car.
Where I have parked, there are four food trucks stationed close to cars.
There is a group of men sitting on the tables, talking, and laughing.
I recognize two of them, who are trouble and a part of Valarie’s crew.
Quickening my steps, and keeping my head down, I walk past them. I hear them talking about a drop in sales, and a race that will bring a big pay out. My breath hitches when I hear Logan’s name and that of one of the guys he used to race with back in the day— a friend.
I need to tell Logan, and maybe Grady.
Reaching my car I open the trunk, depositing my bags inside before sliding into the driver’s seat. Connecting my phone to the car’s Bluetooth, I start my music. Pulling out of the parking lot, I slam on the brakes when I almost collide with another vehicle.
I yelp, my body coiling tight and preparing for impact but there isn’t one. I look out my window, but I cannot see the driver through the SUV’s tinted glass. Still, I feel them watching me, and it is unsettling.
The SUV sits for a minute or two longer then spins away, leaving behind a cloud of smoke.
Calming down and slowing my breathing, I open my window for some fresh air and then slowly drive out of the parking lot.
I turn the music up in my car, getting lost in the song, which helps to calm me down. An SUV comes right up behind me, then brakes harshly.
“What the hell?” I keep an eye on the vehicle, but my gut tells me something is wrong.
I move into a different lane to get away from them, but they follow— keeping close, then backing off.
What are they doing?
I see the black SUV three cars back but they move change lanes when I do. The driver is hidden behind the tinted windows, and I have no idea if there is more than one person in there.
My fear starts to spike, causing my heart to beat faster and my body to shake. My palm are sweaty, making my grip slip on my steering wheel.
I think to call Grady, my cousin who is a sheriff, but all I can think about is Logan.
Using my Bluetooth in my Bronco, I call him.
“Call Logan.”
“Calling Logan,” my car replies back to me.
While the call connects, I keep an eye on the vehicle following me. It has moved closer, and it is scaring me now. Why would anyone be following me? It is the same SUV that almost hit me at the mall.
The phone rings three times before Logan picks up.
“Stevie?” My gaze snaps forward facing, looking at the console screen, like Logan is on a video call but he is not.
This console is like a lifeline.
“Stevie, baby, are you okay? Where have you been? I have tried calling you and you’ve ignored me. What the fuck?”
Tears fill my eyes hearing the concern in his voice, but I can also hear frustration. My fear has taken over, and I do not have the time to be mad at him right now.
“Logan, I…”
“Logan, have you seen my sneakers?” I hear Valarie’s voice, and my heart breaks in my chest.
I swerve, and honks sound around me, making me cry out.
“Stevie?” He says my name more frantically this time.
Why is she with him?
Is this why he has not called or texted? He has gone back to her?
After everything.
Oh, God. I am such a fucking idiot.
“STEVIE.” With shaky hands, I end the call.
Tears flow down my cheeks, as I stare numbly out the windshield.
Remembering why I called him, I check back on the SUV following me. It is now two cars back, but maneuvering around a car to gain on me. Needing to get off the highway, I take the next exit, and head to a public place to call my cousin.
“Call Grady,” I instruct, my voice shaky.
“Calling Grady.”
It rings and rings and I am scared that he won’t pick up.
“Please. Come on,” I rush out, franticly looking between the SUV and in front of me, making sure that I do not to crash.
If I do the crash, it gives the people following me a chance to get to me.
“Cousin, how are things?”
“Grady, I need you,” I cry.
“Fuck, where are you?”
I tell him where I am and where I am heading but he cuts me off.
“No. Go straight to Cass’s and I will meet you there. Does the car have any tags?”
“No,” I cry, “and the windows are tinted, so I can’t see inside. It is a black Toyota SUV. I am scared, Grady.”
“I know, honey. I will meet you there.”
“Okay.”
“I am going to hang up and make a call about the car. Drive safe, Stevie. Do not drive reckless; be safe.”
I nod as the call ends.
My phone rings and Logan’s name pops up on my screen. I ignore it, keeping my focus on the road. It cuts off and rings again. I cannot find it in me to answer right now.
He is breaking my heart after I gave it to him. Well, fuck him.
My hurt turns to anger and I hit the gas, needing to get away from this SUV that is chasing me. There is no reason for them to be coming for me; I have done nothing wrong to anyone.
I am not linked to anything criminal. Val’s voice floats through my head: asking Logan about sneakers, and the way she told me they had been together— a thought hits me.
“Oh, frick no,” I mutter.
Val could have sent someone after me because I fought with her. Hell, it could be any reason with her. Or someone thinks I am important to Crash, and that they could hurt me to get to him.
Well, they are sadly mistaken if they think I mean anything to Crash.
Fuck him.
My life was fucking simple before he came back into my life. I did not have this pain in my heart and I was not running for my life.
The phone rings again, and I glance at the screen, seeing Logan’s name. Slamming my hand on the ignore button, I keep driving. Coming off the highway again, I head in the direction of my aunt’s house, while constantly checking to see if the SUV is still behind me.
I turn onto a street near my old house and I notice the vehicle is no longer following me.
With shaky hands and a racing heart, I keep a watchful eye out for the vehicle as I turn onto my aunt’s street, but I do not stop. I circle back around to double check that they are not following me.
When I am satisfied, I drive to my aunt’s house, sighing when I see Grady’s squad car on the street.
Stopping behind his car, I sink into my seat and turn my car off.
I stare out through the windshield, everything rushing through me.
My emotions take over, and I scream loudly, my heart racing.
My body is vibrating with anger and fear, and while my lungs hurt, and my throat burns, I needed to get it all out.
I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing, taking slow, even breaths. My skin feels tight, and my fingers flex on the steering wheel.
A knock on my side window makes me jump, a yelp escaping me.
My door gets yanked open and Grady is there, his handsome face frowning in concern.
“Fuck.” He reaches in, undoing my seatbelt and pulls me from the car.
His arms wrap around me, making me feel safe, so I let go of every emotion. Sobs wrack my body as my cousin squeezes me.
“You are okay, honey. I have men looking into the car— they are checking CCTV for it. Do you have any idea who would be chasing you?”
I shake my head against his chest.
“Aunt Cass said that you are involved with a biker.”
“Not anymore,” I sniff.
He huffs. “Come on, I think you need a stiff drink.” He chuckles.
“I am working tonight.”
“Not anymore. Aunt Cass already called in for you, telling them that you are feeling unwell.”
“Maybe I will take the bottle instead, then.” He laughs.
I hate calling out of work, because I hate leaving them short staffed. My body is still shaking, my heart is slowly returning to a normal rate, but I have to agree, I am not sure I will be able to get through a shift with how scared I am right now.
My phone rings from inside of my car, making me sigh.
“I got it,” Grady says.
Reaching inside of my car, he collects my things, my phone ringing again.
“I wish he would stop.”
“He fucked up, huh?” I nod.
Digging for my phone in my purse, I turn the device off, tired of him trying. If he wants to explain or lie to me, he can do it to my face.
“Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
I nod and he keeps his arm around me, leading me inside of the house. My aunt comes rushing toward me, puling me from my cousin. She rocks back and forth, keeping me tightly to her.
“Oh, my girl, you gave me a fright. Are you okay?”
“I am. Just a little shaken.”
“I can only imagine. Well, you are not going to work tonight and you are staying here in your old room. Cale knows and is cutting practice short to come home.”
“He didn’t have to do that.” She cups my face, and I hear Grady moving around the kitchen, no doubt getting me a drink.
“You know he loves you; he sees you like a daughter.” I nod. “He wants to be here for you and help if he can.”
“I know.” My voice is soft.
“I have some of my men looking at CCTV footage to see if we can track the vehicle. I want you to stay with Aunt Cass until we know more. I will post a patrol car out front for a few hours, just to be safe.”
“Okay.”
“Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you, someone you pissed off at work?”
“No,” I answer quickly.
Grady frowns, nodding, but not pushing for an answer.
Concern is clear with his dipped brow. He is an older cousin of mine, and like me, he is an only child.
It seems that people in this family either have no children or just the one.
Both of his parents have passed, killed in a car accident a few years before my folks passed.
Aunt Cass took him in also, so he is more like a brother than a cousin.
“Can you go and get Glory for me, please? She knows you, so she will feel safe leaving the condo with you,” I ask my cousin.
“Yeah, no problem. Give me your keys.”
“They are still in my car.” He nods and leaves to get them.
“Look at me.” Aunt Cass turns me to face her again. “Be honest with me, is this because of Logan or Valarie?”
I shrug, sighing. “Honestly? I don’t know.”
Then I remember the phone call I placed to him and the dam holding my emotions in check breaks and I sob. My aunt pulls me tightly to her, and lets me cry. She rocks gently back and forth, soothing me.
“Shhh. It will be okay.”
I hope she is right.
As much as Logan hurt me, he needs to know what I overheard at the mall. He needs to prepare for whatever is about to happen, and let the club know that Valarie’s crew is looking into a big drug drop at the race that is happening soon.
We sit in the living room watching Transformers: Dark side of the Moon, while Grady goes to get Glory. I need my fur baby right now. She can comfort me like no other.
With my heart feeling bruised, my soul numb, I take comfort in my family supporting me. I know it sounds silly to be hurt like this when we only just started dating but, in all honesty, I trusted him and I could see a future together.
Clearly, he saw one with Valarie.