Page 105 of Ride With Me

Looking over my shoulder, I searched the parking lot for any sign of the group. “They probably won’t return, but I warn you not to go outside alone. Do you really need a ride?”

“I do. Thanks.” He held out his hand. “My name is Andrew. What can I call you?”

Daddy.

The thought slipped in, and I realized this man was the type I would have loved playing at the club with. But I hadn’t been active in the scene for a few years. Why was I thinking of him like that all of a sudden?

He could be your boy.

Those damn intrusive thoughts had to shut up. Shaking my head to silence them, I took his hand in mine. “I’m Dean.”

CHAPTER 3

ANDREW

What are you doing,stupid?

I have no clue, but he looked safer than the idiot twins and their friends back there.

My internal battle over my decisions lately rattled inside my head as the blur of dark green sped past the passenger side window. My knuckles were white from clutching the side of the seat. If I died that night, I hoped my ghost would come back to torture Kenny. After all, it was his fault I had to hitchhike across the country.

“Relax.” Dean’s deep chuckle sent vibrations of warmth through my body. “Is there anyone you can call and give my information to? Perhaps you would feel better if someone knew where and who you were with.”

I would, but they might just call me an idiot for taking a ride with a stranger.

“It’s important that a friend knows where you are and who you are with and can notify the police if you didn’t respond to their texts or calls. You should text a friend my details to feel more comfortable riding with me. I don’t mind.”

I watched the muscles flex in Dean’s forearm as he shifted gears and wondered how it would be to ride him.

“Andrew?”

“Oh. Um, okay. I’ll text my friend Stacy.”

Pulling out my phone, I typed in a quick text to Stacy.

Me: I had to find a way to Florida and didn’t get dickwad to give me back the car I paid half for.

Stacy: We would have taken you. Why didn’t you ask?

Me: I didn’t want to bother you guys. You’re just starting to settle in at home with your men and didn’t need me to take you away from it again.

I could have asked and maybe should have, but she and her men had only just gotten back into the groove of things at home after a substantial dramatic situation; they didn’t need me bothering them.

“What’s wrong?” Dean flicked a quick glance in my direction. “You’re nibbling your lip. I thought it would calm you, not escalate your anxiety.”

“She asked me why I didn’t just ask them to give me a ride.”

“Well, why didn’t you? Let me guess. You thought you would be bothering them.”

I lowered my head. How did he know me so well already? “I didn’t want to bother them.”

“Andrew, listen to me.” Dean reached over and squeezed my thigh. “You need to remember you are not a bother to friends and people who love you.”

I looked down at my phone and saw another text from Stacy.Well, here goes the part she’ll get furious at me for.

Stacy: Where are you now? We’ll come get you.

Me: I am somewhere in Indiana. I caught a ride. He wanted me to text you and give you his information so I felt safe, and so you knew where I was and who I was with.