Chapter 27 Like Old Friends Already
“He invited me to make me look useless,” Ryan said, neatly avoiding the offer. “Then you get embarrassed, dump me, and he has his chance.”
He glanced at her.
“There’ll be more of this over the next two days.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“About what? I’m not really your boyfriend.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re not leaving me here with them.”
“If I leave, you’re coming with me. I’ll scowl and say, ‘I’m going. Are you coming or not?’ You look wounded and follow me. Easy.”
She relaxed and laughed.
“I’ll act like I’m terrified of arguing with you. Jason will explode.”
“He’ll call your parents before we reach the road. Tell them I’m useless, a sore loser, and taking it out on you.”
Ryan chuckled.
“Your dad will finally have his excuse to tell me to stay away.”
Chloe laughed so hard her shoulders shook.
“You should write scripts.”
“If someone’s paying.”
“Is money all you think about?”
Her teasing faded a little.
“Seriously, if they challenge you to something you can’t do, don’t let them push you into it. I’ll help you get out of it.”
“Deal.”
Moonridge Mountain lay about 125 miles north of Asheville, in an undeveloped stretch of dense forest and tangled undergrowth. A river wound through the range.
Ryan pulled up at the foot of the mountain.
“End of the road.”
“You left them miles behind.”
Chloe climbed out and fetched two cold drinks from the back. She handed him one.
“You could race professionally.”
He accepted it with a smile.
For all her pride, she was easier company than he’d expected. She didn’t spend every moment ordering him around or reminding him of the difference in their circumstances.
Being with her felt more like spending time with a friend than doing a job.
Both his relationships were fake, but the situations were different.
Chloe had chosen him. She wanted him there. After he’d saved Walter, her gratitude had become real.
Grace hadn’t chosen anything. Henry had made the decision for her.
Even in their shared bedroom, she kept herself covered in long sleeves and pants. The slightest noise woke her. She never seemed entirely at ease with him nearby.
Ryan and Chloe had been resting for some time when the other vehicles finally arrived.
“There you are,” she said brightly. “We’ve already finished our drinks.”
Jason gave Ryan a stiff look.
“Nice driving. Were you a military driver?”
“No. Just drove a little in my spare time.”
Jason looked even less pleased. Apparently, they’d been beaten by a hobbyist.
“Impressive, man. What unit?”
Marcus approached, holding out a large hand.
“Marcus Stone. Special operations battalion. Medical discharge.”
Ryan took his hand.
“Small unit. You won’t have heard of it.”
Marcus squeezed.
Ryan glanced at their joined hands. So this was the next test.
He gave the hand a friendly shake.
“You can let go now. This is getting a little awkward.”
Marcus was surprised. He was already using most of his strength, and Ryan was still smiling.
He tightened his grip further.
“We’re both veterans. Feels like meeting an old friend. We should have a drink together.”
A cold gleam entered Ryan’s eyes.
“Absolutely. Get to know each other properly.”
“Damn right. We—ah!”
Until that moment, squeezing Ryan’s hand had felt like trying to crush a block of iron.
Then Ryan squeezed back.
Pressure locked across Marcus’s fingers, and pain tore through his hand. A cry escaped before he could stop it.
Everyone turned.
Ryan continued the handshake with an expression of genuine pleasure.
“Like old friends already. Isn’t that the saying?”
He smiled warmly.
“Meeting another veteran brings people together. Don’t you think?”