Runaways by Nicole Dykes

Author:Nicole Dykes [Dykes, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-19T18:30:00+00:00

* * *

I sit up straight in bed, covered in sweat and gasping. I have no idea what I was dreaming about, but it was enough to make my heart pound way too fast. I turn to look next to me, and that’s when I truly know panic.

Rae isn’t there.

“Rae?” I jump out of bed and look around the empty room. Then I look in the bathroom, but she’s not there. “No.”

I walk into the hallway.

“Rae? Nash?”

No answer.

I head back into our room and finally notice her bag is gone. This can’t be happening. I stalk into the room where Nash was staying and find it empty too. My heart races as I make my way into the living room, but then I see headlights outside. I look out the window to see Nash walking to the front door.

He barely gets inside before I grab his collar and thrust him against the wall. “Where is she?”

He has a few inches on me, and his body is more muscular. But in that moment, I don’t care. I’m the Hulk, and he’s nothing because Rae isn’t here. She’s not with him.

“Tell me.”

He doesn’t move, but I see the tension in his jaw. He isn’t used to being manhandled, and most people wouldn’t dare. “Calm down.”

“Tell me where the hell she is. Now.”

“You gonna hit me?” He doesn’t move, but we both know he could push me away if he wanted to.

“Maybe. Tell me where Rae is.”

He huffs loudly, leaning his hand against the wall, looking defeated. “She asked me to take her to the bus station.”

“And you did?”

He gives a quick sad nod. “It’s for the best.”

“The fuck it is.” I release him. “Take me to her. Now, Nash.”

“Calm your ass down and listen to me. This is what she wanted. She doesn’t want you to go with her.”

“Bullshit.” I know she thinks she ruined my life, but it’s the furthest thing from the truth. How the hell could she do this to me? “Take me to her.”

“It’s too late.”

“No, it’s not. Where was she heading?” He runs his fingers through his hair, stepping away from the wall. “Nash, tell me.”

His eyes meet mine. “I just want you to be okay. You won’t be okay on the streets.”

“And you think she will? All alone?”

My gut twists, thinking about all the shit that could happen to her. “I know she won’t. I don’t know what the hell to do. You all have me in fucking knots. I’ve protected you your whole goddamn life, and now I’m just supposed to let you go? Let you walk into danger that I can’t stop?”

For a brief moment, I put myself in his shoes. I know he’s protected me. I know he’s scared, but he can’t throw Rae to the wolves because he’s afraid for me. “I love her. More than anything. I have to go with her.”

He shakes his head.

“Nash.” I grab his shoulder and force him to look at me. “Where is she headed? You tell me or, I swear to God, I’ll never speak to you again.

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