When I pull up the map, I find that the nearest car repair place is thirty minutes away and closes at four. My phone shows that it’s already after eight o’clock. I frown and decide to look up the nearest hotel in the meantime and find that the closest one is again thirty minutes away.
“Fuck!” I say as I look around. I’m in the middle of nowhere!
I don’t know where I am or what to do. I have no choice but to try to make it to the hotel, and then I’ll call a tow truck to take my car to the garage in the morning. But when I push the starter button on my car, nothing happens. I turn off the headlights and try again.
Nothing!
The sun has set, and there are no people around. The wind blows harder as I sit in my car, unsure of what to do atthis point.
Think Mikayla! Think! What do I do?
I scroll through my phone and come to Patrick’s name. I rub my thumb over my lips and think… do I bother him? Will he even remember me?
Patrick told me if I was ever back in the area to call him because he would love to introduce me to his wife, Rabecca. I hadn’t texted him or anything, but considering the situation I’m in… it’s not like it’s an inappropriate time to call someone.
I’m overthinking this. I need help, and he’s the only person I know that lives near here. I just have to hope his wife won’t be mad at me or him.
I push the call button on my phone and just hope he isn’t like me and ignores calls from an unknown number.
It rings three times before someone answers. “Hello?”
“Hi! Patrick? It’s Micky, do you remember me?” I rush out.
“Micky?”
“Yeah, from the steakhouse?” I ask.
Please remember me.
“Uh, yes, of course, but this isn’t Patrick. This is Caine.”
My heart stops. Caine?
Then my heart begins to pound, hard.
Fuck!
I frown. I’m silent, trying to understand why Patrick gave me his brother’s phone number instead of his.
“Mick, you still there?” Caine asks quietly.
“Yes, sorry, I’m just surprised.” And thank fuck he can’t see me! I’m freaking out right now!
“Is everything alright?” he asks worriedly. “Why are you calling my brother?”
“Um, well, I… my car kind of broke down just outside of Fort Worth. Patrick gave me this number in case I was in town. But I…”
“Where are you?” he asks, his voice rising with worry.
“I’m not sure. I can share my location settings with you and text you my current location,” I suggest.
“I’ll wait.”
I hear a car door slam and let out a deep breath of relief. I feel oddly comforted and sigh, knowing he’s coming to get me.
I open my location settings and share them with him.
“Got it. Okay, you’re a little over an hour away.” Then I hear the revving up of an engine.
