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“—and while I may not be a human lie detector like Dare, you have these looks that keep flashing across your face at random that show everything you’re trying to hide. And like I said, girl-with-no-name, I know women. You’re running from someone, and if I had to guess, I’d say you’re running from a man.”
I watched her in shock, unable to say a word.
“Am I right?” When I still didn’t respond, her tone filled with compassion. “Husband?”
I quickly shook my head. “No.”
“Boyfriend? Parents?”
My head never stopped moving, and she dipped hers to try to look into my eyes. “Is your answer going to be no, no matter what I say?”
“I just . . . I can’t.” There was no explaining.
I was running from the Borellos.
And if I was being honest, the last four years I’d been running from Mickey and Kieran’s broken promises. Tonight, I’d been challenging Kieran and Beck’s deceit. While not all of those were the kind of situations she meant, not one of those would someone like Libby understand.
She offered me a sad smile and gently squeezed my wrist before releasing it. “If I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that girls need to be there for each other. Especially during the hard times.” She took a step back and looked up at the bar. “Well, to be honest, this place is boring if I’m not working—especially if it’s just me and the twins because they scare off any potentials. And there’s a couch at my apartment that’s actually pretty comfortable that could easily sleep two of you on it.”
I thought of Dare, of the way he could make me feel just by looking at me, of the guilt that followed . . . “I don’t . . . I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Libby sent me a knowing smirk that slowly faded. “It’s just Einstein and me there. Look, our place is free. There’s food and a huge shower. You can borrow some clothes to sleep in while you wash what you’re wearing. It’s better than running around the town, terrified. And tomorrow, if you need anything, Einstein and I can help you with that too.”
I didn’t know how to turn down her help, but I also didn’t know how to accept it.
There was something about Libby that spoke to me, drawing me in and making me want to give in. Her strength. Her kindness. But I’d never slept anywhere away from Holloway.
I couldn’t go home. There was no point trying to find Beck. I only knew he was in Raleigh—where most of the Holloway Gang worked in order to avoid conflict with the Borellos—a thirty-minute car ride away. And Kieran . . . well, I never knew how long he would be working or when he’d come home.
“I really just need to try to get hold of someone.”
“Will they be able to pick you up?”
I hesitated, and that pause was enough for Libby.
“Then you’re coming with me for now. You can use my phone if you need to. Come on,” she said, jerking her head back toward the entrance of the bar. “Let’s go get the twins so they can drop us off.”
She turned and began walking without waiting to see if I would follow, but after a few seconds, I did.
Once I caught up with her, she said, “If you plan on running right out of town, make sure my brother knows you don’t plan on sticking around.”
My eyes shut, and in a moment of weakness, I welcomed the memory of his lips ghosting along mine. Of the current that bled from his skin to my own.
Forcing my eyes open, I said, “I don’t want him finding out about this.”
Libby lifted a shoulder. “I won’t tell him. Doesn’t mean he won’t find out. He has his ways.”
I just hoped for my heart’s sake I would be gone before he did.
Glancing at Libby, I cleared my throat and murmured, “I’m Elle.”
Her eyes drifted toward me and rested there for a second before looking straight ahead again. “You look like an Elle. It’s been . . . different meeting you.”
“I could say the same.”
A soft laugh sounded in her throat. “Yeah, well. I’m a little bit of crazy, and a whole lot of drama. Get used to it.”
I woke, my heart already racing and arms tensed before I ever opened my eyes.
