Page 24 of Truck Up
“Let me go,” I somehow manage. Or at least I think I get the words out. For all I know, I only thought about the words.
He leans down close until his nose brushes my cheek. Then he takes a deep breath. I cringe and tense up even more. There’s a voice inside me screaming at me to push him away, but I can’t get my arms to move. I’m paralyzed by fear. The fear that only exists in me because of him.
“Your guard dog’s not here to protect you. Not that you need protection. Not from me.”
“Get … get your … hands off me.” I squeeze my eyes tighter, hating how weak I sound. I am not weak, and I hate him even more than I ever thought possible for making me feel this way.
“I’m allowed to touch what’s mine.” There’s a sinister tone to his words that causes my blood to run cold. He loosens his grip on my arm and then runs his finger up it and around my neck. “We’ll be so good together. You’ll see. You just have to stop fighting this. I don’t want to hurt you. If you stop fighting, you’ll never get hurt.”
Memories of that horrible night flood to the surface of my mind. I try not to think about what he did, or what he would’ve done if Christian hadn’t interrupted him. But every time I see him, it’s impossible to keep those memories locked away.
“You will not hurt me.” Getting those words out without stuttering gives me strength. I square my shoulders and push against his chest. “I am not yours, and I will never be yours. Now let me go.”
The smile that covers his face makes my skin crawl. It sickens me and my nausea threatens to return. But I push on his chest again, and this time he steps back and releases me. But he doesn’t move from my path. I am still blocked in.
“I see you still need time to accept this. To accept our future,” he says. There’s a finality in his tone that is more threatening than anything else he’s ever said to me. “I’m a patient man, but at some point, that patience is going to wear thin. You’ve been promised to me, and I never give up on what’s mine.”
All the fear inside me dissipates and is replaced with anger. “I’m not yours. I’ve never promised myself to you, and I never will. I decide who I’m with. No one else.”
“We’ll see about that.” He lifts his hand like he’s going to touch my face, but I slap it away.
“Why do you fight this so hard?” He tilts his head to the side like he’s studying me. Like I’m a puzzle he doesn’t understand, but desperately wants to.
“Because I don’t like you. Never have and I never will.” Deciding I’ve had enough of this conversation, I push past him. But he grabs my arm and pulls me to his side.
“Watch it, Lia,” he whispers. “You’re—”
“Everything okay here?” Aaron’s voice surrounds me like a warm blanket, and I relax.
Badger whips his head around and smiles. This smile is the friendly one he reserves for everyone except me. It makes him look like a good guy. It’s the smile that’s fooled my entire family into thinking he’s good and kind and nice. This version of him is why my family pushes me to date him. And God forbid, marry him.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” he says. “Lia didn’t look so good. I thought she was going to pass out.”
“I wasn’t going to pass out.” I jerk away from him and move toward Aaron. His eyes dart between Badger and me like he’s trying to decipher what he walked in on. I’d gladly tell him if I thought he would believe me.
“Mom asked me to check on you.” He studies me like I’m his patient, not his sister. “She said you’ve been acting off these past several days. She’s worried you’re coming down with something and working too hard.”
Oh, I’m coming down with something alright.
“I’m fine,” I say instead. “I just had to use the restroom.”
He holds my gaze for several seconds before he nods. “Okay. Just make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. You’ll need it if you want to keep growing the business and managing Mom.”
“I will. Thanks.” I lean in and give my brother a hug. “I’m going to get back to my dinner.”
“Just let me know if you need anything. I’m always here for you.”
“I know. And I—”
“Badger!” Linden says as he approaches. “When did you get here?”
Badger smiles at his best friend. “A few minutes ago. Lia didn’t look so well, so I was checking on her.”
Linden’s smile grows. “Always so attentive. You know, Lia. Badger would treat you so well. You two should go out sometime. I’d love nothing more than to see you two together.”
“All she has to do is say yes,” Badger says. He sounds and looks like every mother’s dream date for her daughter. But I know the truth. I see past his fake smile and demeanor.
Badger is the devil that I can’t escape.