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Chapter Seven
Tyson
A week passed and I didn’t say another word to Ellie Liles. I even ignored her in the waiting room of the physical therapist, which wasn’t easy because it was small and all I wanted to do was look at her.
Being with Ellie was comforting. Familiar. She was the first friend I ever had in my whole life and now…she wanted nothing to do with me. It was easier when I was away and didn’t have to see her. But now—damn—it was hard to stay away.
Which was why I was on the verge of shock when Ellie’s name came up on my phone as an incoming call. I hesitated for a second before answering.
“I thought you wanted to be left alone,” I said, cringing at my tone. Out of all the things I could’ve said, I picked the one that made me sound like a complete dick.
There was silence on the other end and I thought maybe she called by accident. Then she sighed, long and loud.
“My car won’t start.”
She sounded pissed, but every word she said to me since I’d been back sounded the same. “Okay…” I trailed off, unsure what she wanted.
She made a noise I could only describe as a growl. “This obviously isn’t my first choice, or my tenth. But Dad has PT soon and I don’t have time to call a mechanic. Knox won’t answer his phone because he’s always busy. Faye is working at the store and Wren has a massage client soon.” Her voice pinched and she cleared her throat as if she was holding back tears. My heart clenched. “There’s no one else and I know you’re heading to PT anyways. Can you just stop by and take a look at my car?”
“Of course, El. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
She didn’t say anything before hanging up.
Ellie lived on a gorgeous piece of land on the outskirts of Cypress Falls. As kids, we spent hours climbing trees and playing hide-and-seek on the massive property. Part of the creek ran along the back of the land and it was one of our favorite places to hang out.
The memories came rushing back as I drove up the long drive toward the trailer. Ellie was leaning against her black Ford sedan, arms crossed over her chest, face set in that stony glare she seemed to reserve only for me these days.
“What seems to be your trouble?” I called, climbing out of my Jeep and slamming the door behind me.
Ellie grimaced. Yet, she was probably the most beautiful thing I’d seen. I somehow forgot how gorgeous she was. Ellie had always been stunning, with the clearest, bluest eyes. She was petite and perfect with curves in all the right places. Her skin was smooth and unblemished. My stomach clenched in ways it never had before when I looked at her. Maybe that blow to the head really did fuck up my memory.
Ellie pushed off her car, her body stiff as she glared at me. “This piece of shit won’t start. I have no idea what’s wrong with it.”
I sauntered by her, and she stepped back as if I was going to burn her. A pang of disappointment twisted in my chest.
“Have you had trouble with it before?” I opened the driver’s door to pop the hood.
“No, not recently. It’s old, but it’s my only car and I try to take care of it.”
I nodded. Lifting the hood and propping it up, I took a good look inside. I wasn’t a mechanic, but I knew a little about cars. Instantly, I spotted the issue. Leaning in farther, inspecting the cables connected to the battery. The ends weren’t frayed or torn. They were cut clean through.
My jaw worked as I straightened, putting my hands on my hips. “When was the last time you drove this vehicle?”
Ellie shifted, probably sensing my apprehension because her brows drew together in concern. “Yesterday. Why?”
“I’m no expert, but you see these cables here?” I pointed to them and she leaned down, nodding. “It looks like someone cut them.”
Her body tensed before she straightened, her arms pulled tighter around her chest. “Are you sure? It couldn’t have been a mouse or something?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Too clean a cut for that.”
She looked back at the cables, biting her lip. “Will it be expensive to fix?”
I frowned. “I’m not sure. Hopefully not.”
Her gaze met mine, those crystal blues shining in the sunlight. She looked concerned for only a beat longer before she nodded. “Okay. Well, I’ll have to call Mel and see if he’ll come out here later to fix it. Do you think you could give us a ride to PT?”
I blinked at her. “I just told you someone fucked your car up, and all you want is a ride?”
