2. Harley
HARLEY
M y feet pounded on the blacktop. I had no idea where I was going since my mother hadn’t bothered to even show me around. All she could think about was moving in with Trent. I was just a nuisance put into their path until I turned eighteen.
All I knew was I’d need to get a job in order to save money to buy a car since my mom sold mine if I wanted to get out of here the moment, I was free.
I only pause briefly when I smell the salty air.
At least there’s one good thing about San Sebastian.
I’m drawn to the water like a moth to a flame.
I don’t stop moving until I’m waist deep.
I only looked back a second at the twinkling lights of the city before I submerged my body into the icy water letting it take away all of the pain. Even if for a minute.
When my lungs started to burn, I opened my eyes scanning the dark water wanting to stay under for a moment longer. I knew then this place would be my reprieve for my mom and Trent. Hell, even from the world. We weren’t on the best of terms as of lately.
Just as I was about to climb back to the top, I was gripped around the waist by a strong force. I wanted to fight, but I had nothing left. I needed air before I could do much more than float to the surface.
Was this how my life would end?
I gave up what little strength I had left and gave my existence up to the water gods and whoever else. I would let them decide my fate.
Closing my eyes once again, I waited only for my lungs to breath in the salty mist that hovered over the Pacific water. My eyes flew open as I coughed. The strong pressure around my middle was still there as was a hard, warm surface behind me.
My hands met my middle where I came into contact with an arm corded with muscle.
It flexed underneath my touch, and I felt my body being dragged through the water.
Craning my head back, I was met with a dark shape.
The sun had finished settling for the night and now the world around me was a dark shade of blue.
“Stop fighting me,” the figure growled. The voice was low and deep sending shockwaves through me.
I hadn’t realized I was trying to pry the arm away from around me. My hands dropped to my sides as I leaned back against the hard body of my captor, and stared up at the stars twinkling in the night.
Cold air washed over my skin and sent goosebumps racing across every inch of my exposed flesh. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to dip into the water.
One second, I was against the warm body and the next I hit the coarse sand on the beach. I sputtered trying to get my bearings.
“What the hell did you think you were doing?”
“Me?” I sat up and narrowed my eyes at him even though he couldn’t possibly see them. “What are you doing attacking women at night?”
He scoffed. “Attacking you? You must have been under longer than I thought. I saved your ass. Are you that desperate to end your life?”
“I wasn’t trying to end my life.” I jumped up. “I was clearing my head.”
As much as he wished it, he wasn’t my savior. He saved me from nothing.
“Is that what we’re calling it nowadays?” He chuckled darkly. Leaning down, he gripped my forearm and tugged me to standing. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I tried to pry my arm out of his hold, but he only tightened his grip. “I don’t even know you.”
“I’m your neighbor dumbass. Now, let’s go before your missed.”
A strangled chuckled left me causing him to stop trying to pull me wherever he wanted to go.
“It would take a long time perhaps even forever for me to be missed, but if you need to get home then far be it for me to interfere.” Successfully, I yanked my arm out of his grip and sat in the sand.
I wasn’t going to let on how cold I was, but I would rather sit here freezing then be in Trent’s house.
A harsh puff of air escaped him before something warm was draped over my shoulders. Whatever it was smelled and felt amazing. I wanted to curl up in a ball right where I was with it as my blanket and fall asleep.
Lowering himself down beside me but still keeping two feet of distance between us, he grunted.
I wasn’t sure this guy was nice or not. Yes, he thought he needed to save me and gave me this— my hands skimmed along the material of a sweatshirt— and gave it to me for warmth, but he also seemed highly annoyed with me.
Leaning back on his elbows, he looked up at the sky. “Why did you try to kill yourself?”
“I didn’t.” Was my immediate response. “And even if I had tried, why would I tell you... some stranger.”
“I’m Slade,” he introduced himself.
“I’m Harley,” I announced before I could think better of it. It was so engrained in me to be polite. At least on most days that didn’t involve my mother.
His head turned to the side. “Isn’t that a boy’s name?”
“Do I look like a boy?” I shot off. I’d been made fun of my entire life at school because of my name. I had thought maybe here in San Sebastian people wouldn’t be assholes, but it looked like that one sliver of hope was gone.
Even in the dark, I could see him scan down my body and back again.
There wasn’t much to see with my arms wrapped around my knees and my chin resting on top of them.
If I hadn’t been in this position though, I knew I would most definitely not look like a boy.
I’d developed earlier than any of the other girls in my grade back home.
Then any of the girls in my entire elementary.
By fourth grade, I was wearing a B cup bra, and by the time they started getting their breasts in middle school, I was already rocking a double D cup.
It was just another thing to be made fun of.
Still this guy didn’t know what was hidden.
“You’re most definitely not a dude.” His tone was husky and gruff like he liked what he saw but was equally annoyed with it.
“Thanks for confirming what I already know.” I was already annoyed with the situation, and wanted to get out of here and away from him.
Abruptly I stood and removed his sweatshirt that was now soaked. “Thanks. I should be going now.”
He hopped up with ease letting me know he was probably an athlete. For a brief moment, I wondered what was underneath his clothes. But only for a moment.
“I’ll walk with you.”
“You don’t have to.” I didn’t want to have to make conversation with him. I wanted to get back to Trent’s, take a nice hot shower, and then fall asleep until the weekend was over.
“We’re going in the same place. It would be stupid for us?— “
“Then keep it quiet. I don’t want to talk.”
Tucking his hands in the pockets of his shorts, he chuckled.
“What?”
There was still humor in his voice as he spoke. “Nothing. I just think you’re probably the first girl I’ve ever met who doesn’t want to talk.”
I started off the way I came and shot off over my shoulder. “Well, I’m not most girls.”
“I’m beginning to see that.”