Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Emery

Dammit! I throw the door to my old VW bug and climb out. It had been driving fine, well as fine as it can for how old it is, and then there was a weird noise…and then smoke. Now I’m standing on the side of the highway, bending over the engine of my car, trying to figure out what I’m looking at. It’s nearly dark, so there isn’t much I can see that is in clear light. 

“Great! Just great!” I growl and slam the hood of my car closed. 

I barely know anything about cars, and definitely know nothing about why my car decided to die now. So I kick the tire for good measure and lean through the window to grab my phone. Raul can come get the car and check it out in the morning. I unlock my phone and pull up his number. After two rings, he answers.

“Hey Em, what’s up?” He says. 

“Hey, my car broke down on Highway 2,” I say with a whine.

He chuckles. “That thing has been falling apart for years. I could have given you a new one, but you’re too stubborn.”

“Is that Em?” I hear Addy call out in the background.

“Yeah, her car broke down,” Raul calls back.

“I told her to take one of the cars you have sitting in your shop, but she’s too-“

“Stubborn. I get it, guys!” I say cutting her off. 

“Em, where are you? We can come pick you up.” She says, sounding more clearly. 

“There is no reason for that, if you can just call one of the guys to come tow it I can get a ride with one of them. How’s Chase?”

She sighs, out of exasperation. “He’s fine! Don’t worry. Now will you let Raul come get you?”

“Addy-“ My words die when I notice a car pull up behind mine. 

Its headlights are too bright for me to get a look at the driver.

“Hang on, someone pulled over,” I say.

“What? Just a random person? Em, that’s how serial killers find their victims! Run!” Addy calls out through the phone.

I roll my eyes. “I’m not about to be murdered, Addy, calm down. Just stay on the phone.”

“Fine, but if you end up on Dateline, I will say I told you so,” Addy adds, making me laugh.

I wonder if maybe I’ve spoken too soon when the driver’s door opens and a tall figure exits the car. The bright headlights are still on, obstructing my ability to get a clear view of whoever has decided to stop and help me. 

“Just stay on the phone and call the police when I say the word,” I whisper into the phone.

“What word?” Addy calls out, sounding a bit panicked. 

“Pineapple!” I hiss. 

The door slams hard enough that even the sound of traffic doesn’t completely muffle it. 

“Pineapple? Really, that’s your code word?” I hear Raul say with a laugh. “Ouch!”

“Shut up!” Addy says, and I try not to crack a smile when they start bickering. 

The person starts to step toward me, and all the alarms in my head start to go off. Addy is right. This guy could be a serial killer! I’m battling between taking off running or standing strong and pretending not to be completely terrified. As they move closer, it becomes even clearer how tall they are, and I can’t stop myself from taking a step back. I mean, I’ve watched documentaries. I know the statistics! Turning around and running is starting to sound better and better, but it’s like my feet are glued to the ground. All the times I yelled at the screen when women would just stand there and not run away when they are in danger.

Now I’m going to be the one who gets yelled at for being so stupid! What the hell am I thinking? Run Emery!

“Uh, look, I don’t need any help. All good here, thanks.” I say, finally taking another step back. 

He steps under the street light, and my eyes widen a little, and my mouth snaps shut. Holy crap!

Without my control, my eyes follow the shape of him, and I swallow. 

“You don’t need help?” The man’s voice is low and has a hint of an accent. “Do you usually stand on the side of the highway?”

I scoff and wave a hand. “Totally. I enjoy the view of the cars driving by and-“

The look he is giving me tells me he thinks I’m a total idiot, and that is pissing me off. I mean, sure, I do sound a little stupid, but that doesn’t mean he has to look at me like a bug under his shoe. 

“Look, my friend owns a garage. He’s going to send someone to pick up my car. So like I said, I don’t need any help. You can get back in your fancy car and be on your way.” My annoyance is clear. 

He doesn’t say anything. He just stands there with that same expression on his face. 

“Whatever.” I do the stupid thing of turning my back to him and try to walk off. 

A strong hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me to a stop. I pull my arm away and turn to glare at the guy. 

“So you plan to sit here and wait?” He says again, looking at me like I’m stupid. 

I cross my arms and glare at him. “No, I’ll call a ride.” 

When I lift my phone, as if I’m about to call a service, I’m reminded that I'm still on the call with Raul. So I pretend to be scrolling on my phone and then put it to my ear. 

“Hello? Hi, I need a ride from-“ The guy grabs my phone and locks it. “Hey! You can’t just grab my phone!”

I step forward to attempt to grab it from him, but he slips it into his pants pockets. The pockets in the suit he’s wearing that has to be worth more than what I could make in my entire lifetime. 

“I’ll give you a ride.” He says blankly.

I scoff. “What? I’m not getting in the car of some stranger!” 

That look again. If he isn’t careful, I’ll smack that look right off his face. Or I would if he weren’t a foot taller than me. 

“Isn’t that what you do when you use a car service?” He asks.

I open my mouth to say something smart, but close it when I realize…he’s right. Using a pick-up service is the same as taking a ride from a stranger. Something our parents raised us not to do! Something to think about for another day. 

“Okay, fair, but I don’t want you to give me a ride. You seem rude, and I don’t like you.” I say with a huff.

He raises a brow. “I’m rude? You’re the one who has been rude to me. I’ve offered to help you, and you’ve only given me attitude.” 

Again, I open my mouth to say something smart, and again I realize he’s right. And I'm not happy about it.