Page 31 of Always Love You More

I shake my head.It’s just the weed, I tell myself. It’s making me paranoid. They’ll probably drive past, and I’ll have worried for nothing.

But when I chance another glance over my shoulder, I notice the car is definitely driving way too slowly.

Fuck.

They’re close enough that they can see me now.

There’s no time to run. No time to hide.

I begin to shake and pray to a god I don’t believe in that if they save me right now, I promise I won’t ever do anything this stupid again.

The lights become brighter as the car approaches. It slows to a roll, and my heart begins to violently pound.

I’m just about to take off into a sprint, at least try to give myself a fighting chance, when I hear a familiar voice.

I freeze when they call out my name.

Chapter 9

Sam

Ideflate.“Johnny?”Iask, his name coming out shaky. “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”

“What amIdoing here? I was coming home from work.” He gestures to me. “What the fuck are you doing out here?”

My relief is quickly replaced with worry.

“It’s two o’clock in the fucking morning,” he spits.

“I—”

How do I explain this?

“Are you okay?” He looks around. “Are you alone?”

I stare back at him, fidgeting with my hands.

“Did someone hurt you?”

I shake my head.

Concern flashes across his face, and he leans over to open the passenger door. “Just come on. Get off the street.”

I take a step forward but hesitate, glancing at the open door.

“Jesus, Sam,” he sighs. “Get in the car.”

“You’re mad,” I whisper.

“Of course I’m mad,” he snaps. “I just found you walking down the street alone in the middle of the night. If someone else found you out here …” He grinds his teeth. “What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t,” I mutter.

“Clearly.” He motions to the passenger seat. “I’m not going to ask you again. Get in the car.”

I drop my gaze to the ground and slide into the seat.

He turns toward me, taking me in. “You’re shaking,” he says, his tone softer now.