Page 112 of Forever Relentless

“You can just head home. I’ll be fine.”

“You heard the guy at the garage, I should stay with you.”

No. You stay with me and I’m going to make a fool of myself.

“Honestly. You’re injured, go home.”

“I’m injured?” His laugh was dark and decadent. I almost wept at the unfairness. “Are you trying to run from me, Briar?”

Yes.

“No. You’ve got a big head, Matthews.”

“Uh-huh. Turn left up ahead.”

I did as I was told without thinking. Then immediately resented it. “Don’t boss me about.”

“Not bossy,” he murmured. “Leadership skills.”

I did laugh at that. Sarcastic fucker.

“What now?” I asked as I drove along a road that I had no recollection of being on before.

“Why did you call me for a ride to the garage?”

I glanced at the dashboard. “Um . . .”

“No one else?” he guessed.

I could lie. But it was just me in the car, and it felt . . . safe. “You were right, the other day, when you said I hadn’t made any friends. I don’t want to lie to them. I don’t want to feel like I . . . Like I—”

“Belong here?”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah. The idea of liking it here, it’s . . . ugh. I’d hate that.” I brushed my hair off my face. “So yeah, it can be a bit lonely,” I admitted softly. “Does that sound really selfish?”

“No. Up ahead, turn right.”

I did.

“Keep going.”

I did. Trees lined the road, and it got narrower. I saw the sign for a park, and I glanced in the rearview to the car behind me.

“Is there a turnaround?”

“No.”

“Then why are we out here? He said drive in a circle if I have to.”

“Mmhmm. Pull up.” I used my turn signal and switched it off when he spoke again. “Not there. Next one.”

I drove past the car lot that looked like it could house about twenty cars, but there was no one there.

“This one.”

I saw the four spaces, overshadowed by surrounding trees, and with another glance at the man behind me, I turned in.

“Top space.”