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“Fine,” I huff. “I’ll go with you, but I’m keeping the crowbar. If you try anything with me, I swear I won’t think twice before I beat you to a pulp with it.”
“Nothing will happen to you. Scout’s honor.” He smirks and holds up three fingers. “Come on. I’m just over here.”
He turns and heads in the direction of a beat-up, old pickup truck that’s covered in mud. Without another word of protest I trail behind him, squeezing the crowbar in my hands. I have to admit this isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m desperate to get out of here, and desperate people do crazy things.
The old rusted door creaks on its hinges when he opens it, and then he stretches out his hand toward me. “It’s kind of a high step. I’ll help you in.” I hesitate and stare down at his hand, unsure if I’m willing to loosen the death grip both of my hands have on the piece of steel.
He notices my hesitation and nods. “Look, I know we’re strangers, but I promise you I’m not some weird psychopath. You can trust me.”
I raise my brows. “Trust you? I don’t even know your name and I’m supposed to trust you?”
Tattooed hottie grimaces. “My bad. I thought I introduced myself.” He turns his right hand over for the customary handshake. “I’m Tyler Mercer.”
My right hand releases the bar and I take his hand. The minute his warm skin touches mine, tingles shoot over me. In some strange way I instantly feel connected to this guy and become a little more at ease. “Avery Jenson.”
A smile passes over Tyler’s face. “It’s nice to meet you, Avery. Now hop your ass in the truck so I can take you home.”
I nod and then slide into the truck with Tyler’s help. Once he closes me inside, I notice how clean the truck is. It’s not what I expected, judging from the dirty outside of the vehicle.
When Tyler slides into the driver’s seat, he fires up the truck before turning to me. “Where to?”
“Ohio State campus—no, wait.” The thought of facing my sorority sisters after this botched attempt at revenge isn’t something I feel like doing tonight. I need to go somewhere I feel safe, and right now only one place comes to mind. “Can you take me home to New Albany?” I ask him. “I don’t feel like showing my face at the sorority house.”
He stares at me for a brief moment and then nods. “Sure thing.”
Tyler pulls onto the road and heads toward the freeway. “So those girls who were with you . . . they’re your sorority sisters?”
I sigh. “Yes.”
“So what are you studying?”
“I haven’t declared a major.”
His gaze flicks to me. “Don’t most people in college have a specific thing to study?”
I shrug. “I don’t really know what I want to be yet.”
Tyler nods. “Fair enough. That’s the main reason I didn’t go to college. Figured it would be a waste of money if I took classes with no real goal.”
“My dad doesn’t really see it that way. Education is a big deal for him.”
We exit the freeway and then I direct Tyler through the city streets to my house. He pulls up in front of the two-story brick colonial. It’s odd there’s not one single light on. This late in the evening, I was sure Dad would be home, but there’s not even a porch light on outside. Given all the things that have been going on with my family lately, Dad usually doesn’t leave the house much.
“Wow,” Ty
ler says as he stares at my house. “Your house is amazing. It’s like a mansion or something.”
That’s the reaction a lot of people have when they see my family’s home. It’s the biggest house in this upscale neighborhood, but what people don’t know is it’s also a representation of a life that I’ll no longer be living before long.
“Well, thanks for the ride.” I open the door and hop out, but before I close the door, I turn and add, “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
His face lights up. “Hopefully. Take care, crowbar.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes as I shut the door and head up the sidewalk toward the house. Tyler’s truck roars to life as he drives off.
Even though this started off as a completely shitty night, meeting Tyler definitely made things a lot better. He was nice eye candy to have in front of me to take my mind off Chance.
It’s just too bad that I’ll never see him again.
