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As Vanessa drives out of the parking lot, her phone rings. She glances at the screen, her forehead creasing with worry as she bites her lip. Our eyes meet and she mouths, “Josh.”
“Hey, Josh.” Her voice shakes slightly as she answers. “What’s up?” She listens intently, pressing the phone against her ear, her face pale and a series of “Oh my God” come from her lips. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She hangs up, her eyes full of panic. “Irelynn, my grandmother was just rushed to the hospital. Josh came home from a friend’s house and found her lying on the floor. Pap had gone to the pharmacy to pick up her meds. Josh called him and he told him to call nine-one-one and he’d meet them at the hospital.”
I squeeze her hand, my face full of worry. “I’m so sorry, Vanessa. You need to go to New Jersey right away.” Facing forward, I peer through the windshield. “We are only about five minutes from campus. Drop me off there and I’ll meet Max in the library. Then you can hop on the highway.”
Her watery eyes meet mine and she squeezes my hand gratefully. “Good idea. Thank you, Irelynn.”
I shake my head in amazement. “What the hell are you thanking me for, girl? I love you. Youneedto be with your family.”
She nods, pressing on the accelerator, hurrying toward the university. “You are always supportive and understanding. I appreciate you more than you know.”
“Ditto.” I squeeze her hand.
Vanessa flies through the commuter parking lot. There is a vacant space beside Max’s Jeep, so she pulls in beside it. Turning to her, I lean across the seat, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tight. She sobs against my shoulder before pulling away, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her black sweater.
“Let me know how she’s doing, okay? And I’m here if you need anything.” I give her arm a gentle squeeze.
Giving me a watery smile, she nods. “Will do.”
Opening the door, I slide out of the seat, waving as I shut the door. I watch her pull away, until I can no longer see her, then I pull my phone from my purse to text Max and let him know I’m heading to the library to meet him.
As I’m texting him, my purse slips out of my hand and the contents spill out onto the parking lot. “Shit.” I squat down, grabbing my stuff, shoving it back inside my purse. In my haste, I drop my phone on the pavement and curse as it slides beneath the driver’s door of Max’s Jeep. Grabbing my wallet, I shove it into my purse, hearing my phone beep with a message.
The hairs stand up on the back of my neck, and I freeze, my chest heaving. As I stand, strong arms grip me. My purse slides from my grip as I struggle against him, the scent of spice and wood overwhelming my senses. Wincing, I feel a prick against my shoulder as a needle is inserted into my skin. “William, what the—”
My words are halted by a sudden wave of drowsiness. Disoriented, I’m aware that William is holding me against his body, his warm breaths falling against my neck. I try to fight the overwhelming urge to close my eyes. Whatever was in that needle circulates through my body, making my limbs feel heavy, rendering me unable to move my arms and legs.
Max, help me.
Tears fill my eyes as I realize what a grave mistake I’ve made underestimating William. But it’s too late.
Involuntarily, my eyes close as the darkness overwhelms me.
Chapter thirty-five
Max
October4,2018,1:00p.m.
I look at my phone as I step through the doorway of Darin’s garage, reading a text from Irelynn. A smile crosses my face as I shake my head, imagining her and Vanessa shopping for a dress for Vanessa’s sorority function. I miss Irelynn already. Normally, I’d go straight to her apartment and pick her up after work, but tonight I didn’t. I’m heading to the campus library to do some much needed research so I can write a paper for class.
Climbing inside my Jeep, exhaustion weighs heavily on my body as I put the key in the ignition and start it. I respond to Irelynn’s text with a bunch of emojis, then set my phone in my cupholder. Pulling out of the parking space, I begin the drive to campus, yawning tirelessly the entire fifteen-minute drive.
These late nights with Irelynn and the subsequent lack of sleep are taking their toll.I haven’t had the heart to tell her how exhausted I am lately. There’s no point, really, since I wouldn’t change one damn thing. I want to be around her all the time, holding her in my arms, kissing her, and being inside of her. I’m completely addicted to her.
Finding a parking space, I shut my vehicle off, then exit it. My steps are sluggish as I travel the sidewalk, my head automatically turning to stare at the Booth Business college, pausing for a moment to look at the side of the building where I first met Irelynn. Images of that horrible, yet fateful day flow through me, and I scrape one hand through my hair, quick breaths falling from my lips. It was the worst, yet best, day of my life, beginning the story of us.
Despite how much I hate thinking about William terrorizing and hurting her, I wouldn’t change a single thing about that day. If I did, we may not be where we are now. She means the fucking world to me and has become my everything.
For one brief moment, I wish time would speed up so I could see her. I know it’s foolish to think that when I haven’t even started my project for class, but for some reason, there is a fluttery sensation in my stomach, as though butterflies are flapping around in it. I have an irrational fear that something isn’t quite right.
Relax, Max. You are just nervous because things have been going so well. I’m used to life being shitty, not practically perfect.
As I resume walking, my feet crunch over some of the brightly colored leaves that have started to fall from the maple trees lining the sidewalk. A huge yawn comes from me, then another, as I rub at my scratchy, bleary eyes. The cool October breeze is not making me feel alert. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my sweatshirt, I force myself to pick up the pace so I can get this over with.
Man, I need a fucking coffee.Gripping the door handle, I pull it open, heading toward the coffee shop, the smell of java infiltrating my senses.
I order a large espresso and a frozen mocha, knowing I need all the caffeine and sugar I can get.
