Who? And the only person I care about coming is me.
Then I realized he meant Denton.
“Disgraceful. Not that I’m surprised. Anything you can do to piss me off, isn’t that right, Elle? You’ll never grow up. You’re always going to be as rebellious and childish as you were at eighteen.”
“Don’t talk to her like that,” Lord barked.
Lord tucked me between his back and the car. Oh shit. I wondered if I was about to watch Denton get pounded into the pavement. Not that I would have a serious issue with that, or really, any issue at all.
“If you wanted to piss me off, you didn’t have to go find someone fresh out of prison, Elle. Just an average low-life would do.”
“Back off, man.” Lord’s words were wrapped in menace that even Denton wouldn’t be able to miss.
I peeked around Lord’s body to see my stepfather, hands on his hips and face turning a shade of red I’d never seen on him before. He wasn’t used to being challenged.
“You know she’s just using you right? Once she’s satisfied that she’s riled me up, she’ll drop you and move on. Well, maybe she’ll fuck you first, so at least you’ll get that out of her.”
That motherfucker.
“I suggest you turn around and go back in the house,” Lord said. His tone was pure don’t fuck with me.
“I suggest you get the hell out of my driveway,” Denton shot back.
Lord’s body tensed. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get the fuck back in that house while I’m still willing to walk away.” Lord turned and grabbed my hand. “I think we’re done here.”
“I’m more than good with that.”
Lord led me around the front of the car and opened the passenger door for me.
I slid into the seat and buckled the belt while Lord rounded the hood and faced off against Denton again. I couldn’t hear their words, but whatever was said, it was quick. Lord yanked open the door, climbed in, and turned the key. The engine roared to life, and Lord didn’t spare a single glance at Denton as he threw the car into reverse and hauled ass out of the driveway. He didn’t speak for a mile or so.
“What’s your deal with your stepdad?”
“He’s a dick.”
“There’s gotta be more to it than that.”
I kept it simple. “He wants to control everyone and everything, and I have a problem with that.”
“And why does it matter what he wants?”
“It doesn’t. But I hate how he treats my mother. She can’t breathe without his say-so, and yet she puts up with it.”
Lord’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly I thought his knuckles would pop.
I continued, “She used to be … happy. And now she doesn’t go a day without finding the bottom of a bottle.”
“You ever think about trying to get her some help?”
I looked out the window at the passing houses. “Isn’t the first step in that process the person admitting they need help? She’d probably give me the look that said I was spouting nonsense and take another drink.”
“Sometimes you gotta help people find their way with that kind of thing. It’s what we do for the people we love, if we can.” His words were so solemn, and it took me a minute to put it together. He’d been so young when his mom had left, and his dad had callously told him about her OD. It sent a shameful swirl of guilt through me that I was old enough to help my mother, and he hadn’t been.
It was something I was going to have to think about—when I was alone later. Like a coward, I changed the subject.
“I really do appreciate you coming to get me. I’m sure you had better things to do than drop everything and come running at my text.”
“Wouldn’t have mattered what I was doing. You need me, I’ll be there.”
You need me, I’ll be there.
I hadn’t had that kind of devotion in my life from a man since my daddy. A pang of sorrow hit me just as hard as the realization that what Lord was offering up was scary as hell. I wasn’t ready to commit to something that big and give up a piece of myself, nor the control I’d fought so hard to maintain over my life. But I also didn’t feel the urge to push him away like I had only a day ago.
One step at a time. And right now I needed some space to get my head on straight.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Lord didn’t push, and for that I was incredibly grateful.
We lapsed into silence for the rest of the drive. When I pulled up in front of Dirty Dog, Elle looked at me for only a beat before saying, “Thanks again for the rescue. I’ll see you Tuesday.” She hopped out of the car and closed the door quietly.
What the fuck?
Thanks for the rescue and then she bolts?
I pushed my door open and climbed out. This shit was not ending this way. I caught Elle right in front of the car, trapping her against the hood.
“If this is you running again, you gotta know it’s just going to make me chase. Is that what you’re really after? The chase?”
Elle’s chin shot up. “Trust me, I’m not looking for anyone to chase me. In fact, the chase is decidedly unwelcome.” She jerked her head to the side, flipping a lock of that sexy-as-fuck red hair out of her face. “I’m the kind of girl who does the chasing herself. I see what I want, and I get it.”
She tried to duck out from under my arm, but I lowered it, blocking her escape.
Elle’s eyes darted up to mine. “If you didn’t realize it, I’m trying to get out of your way. I think I’ve already taken up enough of your time tonight. I’ll let you get going now.”