Page 14 (1/2)

Chapter 1

“Open, da the pink-and-white polka-dot uh It still wouldn’t open The sky rumbled overhead

“Ooh, language, Ehed “Next you’ll be saying shit or ass or fu—”

“No, I won’t” Eed into her left ear, her sister still laughing “But this ht now” U

Krystal held her phone closer, flipping her lower lip for a full-on pout “But I miss you”

“Iraindrops fro lot, in the rain, with an u to you” She kept pressing the button on the handle, but it didn’t help Of course, the rain was falling faster now, big, pelting drops

“Where is Sawyer? Why isn’t our bulky, scowling bodyguard carrying a massive bulletproof umbrella over your head?” There was a hint of accusation in her sister’s voice

“Be nice to Sawyer” E up Travis down the road—because our brother ran out of gas” She sighed, clicking the button on her u is broken I should hang up” Eh the rain Rain that was getting heavier and faster

“But you won’t” Krystal leaned forward “Then again…you are starting to look like a wet rat Walk faster”

E She was sort of jogging noeaving around the parked cars

The squeal of brakes had her ju way too fast in a parking lot—in a torrential downpour—skidded to a stop mere inches from where she stood It happened too fast for her toher u her other hand, and phone, out to protect herself Which, considering the vehicle was massive and she was not, didn’t make any sense but… it was instinctual She braced herself on the truck hood, her knees knocking so hard there was a high likelihood she’d collapse onto the slick concrete at any moment

“Holy shit,” Krystal was saying, the phone now facedown on the hood “Emmy! Emmy? Can you hear me? Are you okay? Answer me”

She could have been hit… Almost was But wasn’t E for breath Her heart pu what had to be the maximum beats per minute “Fine”

She was vaguely aware of the truck’s driver’s-side door opening wide, followed by rapid footsteps splashing in newly for with the whole near-death experience and couldn’t process the arrival of her almost assailant

“Where is the driver? Are they getting out? Hold your phone up,” Krystal growled “I want to see what this asshole has to say about nearly running you over”

“Are you okay?” said theher way

“I’ water from her eyes Her hand shook Her voice shook But she was okay