Resist (#2): The Riptide Series

by Brooke Page

  I shook my head, flashbacks of Colby wrapping me in his arms on the nights I was afraid of my mother’s extracurricular activities while I escaped with him and Marcy to The Shore. “I’m going to head home tonight.”

  Vance stroked my cheek. “Maybe you should try and get some sleep first.”

  My lip quivered, and I batted at my eyes with both of my hands, unable to hold back the flow of tears. “I won’t be able to sleep. I need to get back home. ”

  Vance took a deep breath, but nodded in understanding. “I’ll worry all night.”

  Letting out a whoosh of air, I met his gaze, willing to put everything behind us. If he answered my questions correctly, I’d know he was here for me, and his shady business with Abby and the other phones hidden in his bathroom weren’t anything to worry about. I’d be able to believe him when he said I was the only person he cared for, and I put everything in the past.

  Removing my hands from my eyes, I finally asked the make or break question. “Come with me?”

  His head tilted to the side, his mouth frowning. The sorrow in his eyes showed me the answer I feared he’d give. “You know I want to.”

  My head shook drastically. “I don’t even know why I asked. Please, just take me to YaYa’s.” I blew past him, finding the front door.

  He wouldn’t come with me.

  “Baby, I can’t--”

  I halted, so broken and over his bullshit, done with him and the world fucking me over. I spun on my heels, both my hands finding my hips. “Don’t baby me. My mother overdoses, something only you would understand, and you won’t even be there for me. You’d rather stay here, with Abby, than beside me while I bury my mother.”

  Vance took a sharp breath. “That’s not true.”

  “It’s not? You own your own business, if you need to leave for a funeral for a few days, you can, and I know you can afford it by the outrageous amounts of money you pay me. So work isn’t a problem, it’s getting off with Abby on Friday you don’t want to miss.”

  Vance’s jaw ticked, but he remained silent, and the fact he wasn’t trying to defend himself, only hit me harder. It was devastating.

  “I love you,” I cried, holding my hands to my heart. “I love you, so much, and I wish like hell I didn’t. If I would have stayed home, I’d have married Colby, had enough distance from my mother, but I’d have kept her alive, maybe even fixed her.”

  Vance’s anger continued to fuel in his expressions. The curve of his brows arching low over his eyes, his jaw clenching along with his fists, causing his knuckles to turn white, but he kept his mouth shut.

  “You know what the worst part is? I would’ve felt empty, and even though you clearly don’t feel the same as me, I’d do it all again, because being with you made everything better, and although you’ve shattered me, I still care, and I still love you. I’ll always love you, even though I’ll never be able to have your heart.”

  He swallowed, throwing his stare to the ground, walking passed me and out to the car.

  “So you’re really not going to say anything?” I whimpered, all my strength evaporating from my body.

  “I need to get you to YaYa’s so you can go home,” he murmured, opening his side and climbing into the driver’s seat.

  I shook my head in disbelief, debating if I should walk back on my own. The only reason I got into the truck was because I didn’t want to waste any time. I needed to get on the road and make the eighteen-hour drive home.

  Both of Vance’s hands were on the steering wheel, his jaw locked tightly as he backed out of the driveway. All I could do was silently cry in a ball in the passenger side seat.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you,” he apologized, not bothering to touch me.

  “I’m sorry I let you,” I muffled between my hands.

  His phone buzzed in the cupholder, and he snatched it, then to my surprise, he answered.

  “Yes.” His tone was clipped. “A little late. Yeah, I’ll send you the rest of the payment.”

  I kept my face in my hands, not caring about his business call. It was rare of him to answer work calls with me. Come to think of it, I couldn’t recall any other time when he had.

  The rest of the ride was quiet--no gentle touches or giggles, unlike how we were a few hours before. Crazy how life can change drastically in the matter of moments.

  We came to YaYa’s house, and Vance kept the truck running.

  When I undid my seatbelt and reached for the door handle, Vance grabbed my arm.

  Keeping my gaze on my lap, I didn’t want to show him my puffy, tear-filled face.

  “Lauren,” he breathed, his grip on my arm loosening and morphing into a caress. He leaned into me, his lips touching my temple. His nose found my hair, the warmth of his exhale comforting me in a messed-up way.

  “Was any of it real?” I whispered.

  Both his hands found my cheeks, his gaze softening, the slight quirk of his lip turning into a lopsided smile. “All of it. Maybe, if we’d have met earlier or later in life, I’d have been able to bring you home.”

  His confession was confusing, and I was too exhausted emotionally to try and figure him out. The pad of his thumb brushed my lip, and by the way he was looking at my mouth, I knew he wanted to kiss me, but my heart couldn’t. I wouldn’t be able to stop, and he didn’t deserve it.

  I opened my door and fled from his touch, prepared for Vance Everett to permanently disappear from my life forever.

  He was still in the driveway when I flew up the steps and into YaYa’s house. She was fast asleep in her chair. Tip-toeing into Marcy and my bedroom, I grabbed my stuff as quickly and as quietly as possible. My mind reeled as I thumbed through my things, wondering if I should wait for Marcy or leave on my own. She hadn’t texted me, and Vance didn’t seem worried about Colt being a stalker, so I knew she would be fine if I left. I didn’t need to burden her with my troubles any more than I already had our whole lives.

  Tossing on shorts and a hoodie, I threw my now packed bag over my shoulder and cautiously went into the kitchen, thankful YaYa hadn’t moved. Finding a piece of paper, I left a note for both her and Marcy, then snatched my keys from the rack and snuck out the door.

  The tiny bit of my heart I had left secretly hoped Vance’s truck would still be in the driveway, but it was long gone. Another round of tears burst from my eyes. Hopping in my Neon, I buckled my seatbelt and drove down the strip, making a pit stop to fill up my tank.

  The gas station was quiet, only one other truck parked next to a nozzle. Throwing my hoodie over my head, I stepped out of my car and began fueling, doing my best to keep the waterworks contained.

  “Hey, stranger,” a familiar voice greeted. I looked up from the gas pump, and there was Tucker, standing by a trash can. “Haven’t seen you in a long time.”

  I scratched my nose and cleared my throat. I didn’t want him to know I had been crying. “Yeah, Vance said you moved and were working at a different store,” I sniffed.

  He glowered. “Something like that.”

  He shook his head to rid of his sour mood. “Never mind about Vance. What are you up to tonight? We should go somewhere and catch up.”

  I gave him the best smile I could. “Oh, I can’t tonight. Maybe another time.”

  He frowned. “Why not? I know we got off on the wrong foot, and I have no idea what negative shit Vance told you about me, but I can guarantee you it isn’t true. Let’s start over.”

  Tucker took a step closer to me, and uneasiness settled over me. “Yeah, that actually sounds nice, Tucker, but I really can’t tonight. I have something important I have to do.”

  Thankfully, the pump clicked and finished, and I latched it back in place.

  “Come on, what is really more important than catching up with an old friend?” He laughed, although he was becoming edgy. More reason for me to get out of there. Finding my car door, I swung it open and closed, locking it instantly. He reached my handle but it was too late. I waved at him out the window and drove
off, Tucker only offering me a wave of his own as I left. Dodged a bullet there.

  Shutting off the radio, I found the highway, the sound of the wheels rotating on the cement keeping me company. My heart wasn’t pounding anymore. If I weren’t breathing and functioning, I’d have sworn it was completely disassembled from my body. Shattered didn’t begin to describe it, and I never thought I’d bounce back from this horror.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Vance

  I parked behind one of Marcus’s pick-up vans at the gas station where Lauren had stopped. Marcus would no doubt have his men watching me like a hawk, along with Lauren’s whereabouts. I needed to knock whoever it was off of her tail, so she could get out of The Shore safely.

  It gutted me to bite my tongue from begging her to forgive me, to tell her I loved her and wanted to drive her back to Michigan. I hated how she thought I was cheating on her and felt like the biggest scumbag on the planet, but I was already too deep into the scheme where I couldn’t back out. Within two days, Marcus’s business would crumble, and lives would be saved, while the dirt bags he served would be taken down with him.

  This was more than personal now, more than a vendetta against my good-for-nothing father. This was to help bring down the devil and all of his henchmen.

  Keeping a low profile, I stepped out of my truck, checking out the license plate. I wondered which asshole he sent, then I saw the fucker. Tall, thin, slimy. He had tried to take advantage of Lauren before, and I had cut ties with him because of it.

  Tucker was standing across from her, gawking at her long legs while she bent over to put her debit card back in the Neon. My hands gripped the edge of the hood on the car, ready to attack if I needed to. He wouldn’t be dumb enough to kidnap her out in the open. Most likely he was trying to lure her to come with him, and I hoped like hell Lauren wouldn’t have one of her nice girl moments. I doubted it, though, she was pretty distraught because I was such an asshole, and Tucker wasn’t good at taking advantage of the broken girls.

  Taking my eyes from them momentarily, I crept back to my truck and pulled out a pocket knife from the glove compartment, sliding it out and gashing the two driver’s side tires. Closing it, I shoved it in my cargo pocket. Tucker wouldn’t get far now.

  Lauren must have sensed danger, because she dove back into her car, speeding out of the gas station. I watched her car longingly, wondering if she’d ever forgive me.

  Tucker kicked the trash can, clearly frustrated with her lack of interest. Crouching down, I waited for him to come back toward the van. If I were smart, I’d get in my truck and follow Lauren to make sure she made it out of town, but by the looks of things, Tucker was the only man my father had watching us. Dumb of him, because Tucker was a moron.

  He was cursing when he came around the corner, and I blindsided him, shoving both of his shoulders and slamming him against the van.

  “What the fuck!” he shouted, and I punched him square in the jaw, then jammed my forearm into his throat. He gasped for air, squirming against me in attempts to get away.

  “I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from her,” I growled, applying more pressure to his throat.

  “Fuck you,” he gagged. “You don’t tell me what to do anymore.”

  I glowered at him. “I don’t give a shit what you do, as long as you stay away from Lauren. She isn’t a part of this. She never was. I’ll bash your skull in if you try and follow her. I’ll deal with your boss.”

  I released my arm some so he could talk. Taking a gasp of air, he stumbled down the side of the car and out into the grass, bending over and holding his knees. “Why do you give a shit about her, anyway? You could have anyone in this godforsaken town. All these bitches want a piece of you.”

  I didn’t want any other woman. If I couldn’t have Lauren, then I’d remain single for the rest of my life. No one would measure up to her. “She’s not a part of this town… not anymore. Don’t go looking for her, or I’ll finish you.” I promised, finding my way back to my truck.

  ***

  “We just left,” Colt murmured out of the speaker of my phone. “Marcy has been trying to call Lauren, but it automatically goes to voicemail. Maybe she’s talking to someone or ignoring her all together.”

  Colby. Was he who she might be talking to? He was the only other person who called Lauren besides me or Marcy. It bothered me she was talking to him and not me, but it was my own fault. I left my other phones in too obvious of a place. She wouldn’t be upset with me if she never found out about Abby. I don’t think. She was more upset I didn’t hop in the car with her.

  If only I could have explained.

  Driving back to my house, I sighed, “Let me know if you get a hold of her. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to contact her, if she’ll even wanted to talk to me again.”

  “Goodbye didn’t go well?” he asked.

  I knew Marcy was with him, and I needed to be vague. “No. It’s for the best.” I hated keeping my distance from Lauren, but it was the best way to keep her safe. “Drive safe.”

  “Will do. Vance?”

  “Yeah?”

  He paused. “Be careful.”

  He knew about the sting and the monsters I was trying to take down. I was thankful he’d be with Marcy on the other side of the country, and he’d help keep Lauren safe.

  “Thanks.”

  “No, Vance, thank you.”

  He was grateful for me turning his moral direction. It wasn’t hard to do, Colt had good intentions, but was a little lost. He never would have made it as a hunter, even if I hadn’t had given him an out.

  The lights of my house were still on from our abrupt departure when I pulled into the driveway. Hopping out of the truck, I grudgingly went inside. The next few days were going to be torture. Lauren couldn’t escape my mind.

  Plopping on my bed, I pulled out my phone. I should have texted Lauren, but I didn’t know what to say to make the situation any better without blowing my cover. I’d have Riley on my ass, along with Marcus and his goons. They’d go for Lauren, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if they took her for their sick and twisted pleasure.

  Lying down in the rumbled sheets didn’t help any. Her citrus scent was engulfed in the linens. I breathed her in, wishing like hell she were lying beside me, tucked into my side, drawing circles on my chest while her eyelashes fluttered against my skin.

  Was I doing the right thing? Chasing my hatred and rage toward my father? Would it really cure my fucked-up reality? Or would running away with Lauren have been as healing?

  Fuck. I wish my mom was here.

  Then it came back, the ever need for revenge boiling in my blood. I had to avenge her death, to save all the other women who Marcus had stolen their lives from.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lauren

  I had driven ten hours before calling Marcy back. She wanted me to wait at a rest area for her and Colt to catch up so we could drive together, but I didn’t. I needed to be alone. There was only one person I wanted to see, one person who was always there during my messed-up life. He was kind, patient, and willing to do anything for me. He’d never risk our relationship by ignoring me or not being open about his worries and doubts. He never checked out other women when he was with me, all his attention always remained on me. My mother drove him nuts, but he put up with her, watched her and took care of her when I refused.

  After the long and silent ride home, I found myself on his doorstep, knocking for permission to enter. I always waited for him to answer, even though he had pleaded for me to move in with him.

  It was the beginning of summer, and his front door was open, the screened door created a breeze into the little two-bedroom house. It was about the same size as Vance’s house on the beach. My stomach turned when I thought of him, the center of my chest ached where my heart used to be.

  A dark figure appeared around the corner, his bare feet skidding across the laminate flooring. His jeans were faded with grease stains by the
pockets from well worked hands. He was a manager at the local small engines repair store now, but still wasn’t afraid to jump in and get his hands dirty to help out when it was needed. He broached the shadows, his face lighting up slightly, but faded, guilt and remorse obvious in his heavy eyes. They were strikingly blue, and the dirty blonde hair he normally cut short had grown and was swooped across his forehead. When he opened the screen door, I crashed into him, clenching his white-t-shirt with my fists.

  He embraced me with both arms, a deep breath exhaling as a sigh. “Lo, I’m so glad you’re home.” He squeezed me, his chin resting against my temple. “I wasn’t sure if you’d ever come back.”

  I nuzzled into him. The fresh smell of laundry detergent and cut grass calmed my nerves. It was familiar--the only safety I knew growing up-- it was Colby.

  “I’ll never leave you again,” I promised.

  My heart ached from the admission, but my brain told me it was for my best interest to put my faith in Colby. He was the only person on this planet who showed me what true love really was--unconditional and compassionate.

  Once we stepped inside of his house, I closed the front door, locking the deadbolt. Colby noticed, his shoulders sagging. “You’re safe here, Lo. No need to keep the breeze out.”

  “I know,” I murmured, keeping my hand on the lock. He didn’t realize I closed it for a different reason.

  He stood in the hall, waiting for me to open the door back up. Chuckling, he teased, “What, you live at The Shore for six weeks and your blood thins out?”

  I paced to him and shook my head, only one sentence playing in my brain on repeat.

  Forget about Vance, the man you need is right in front of you.

  I didn’t stop moving toward him until our fronts were flush, planting my hands on his pecs. Colby’s shoulders weren’t as broad as Vance’s, and he wasn’t as strong, either, but he still had a nice body for a country boy.