Page 44 of It Never Was

The breeze picks up again, hitting my cheeks and brushing the loose strands of hair across my neck. I shiver, bringing my coffee cup closer to my chest, hugging it like the twenty-four ounces of hot liquid will warm up my whole body. I have only been walking for about five minutes now, and I wonder how I used to do this every day. Walking or riding my bike every morning to work. I didn't realize how much a car truly helped me. My bag shifts down, and I throw it further up my shoulder.

A couple cars drive by, not paying me any attention. The roads are just as clear as the sidewalk. I can't believe Devon left me without a ride.

Are you surprised though?

I am not that surprised. I wish it was because that would mean Devon wasn't someone who would do something like this. I wish this was out of character for him, but it isn't. It was right in character for him, unfortunately. Well, the leaving me stranded part, not the…

A fog starts to take over my mind and I feel my mind dipping its toe into the deep end of the dark place. But the sound of tires slowing down behind me makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Causing me to snap back to my place on the concrete pavement. The headlights shining on me make my shadow form in front of me as I continue my steady pace. My hand tightens around the handle of my bag, and I start to pick up my speed. I pull out my phone and dial 911, keeping my thumb hovering over the call button ready for anything that might happen.

The car inches closer to me, and the sound of the tires moving on the asphalt seems louder due to the emptiness on the street. Now meeting up with the speed at which I am walking. My heart starts to pound in my chest, I can hear my pulse rapidly in my ears. I stay looking straight ahead, not wanting to make eye contact with whoever is driving.

The sound of the car's passenger window rolling down catches my attention, and the worry escalates. I debate if I should make a run for it or press the green button on my phone screen, but before I have a chance to decide, the car stops next to me.

The driver speaks up, "Ryen? Are you okay? Why are you out here alone at this time?"

Parker's sultry voice, so effortless, fills my ears. My whole body relaxes at the sound of him, and I turn toward the car. I am not sure if it's the adrenaline, the last twenty-four hours or a mixture of it all, but the sight of him makes my heart thump and I feel the sting in my eyes at the look on his face: confused and worried, but absolutely heart shatteringly handsome.

He is out of the car before I can get a word out.

"Parker?" I matched his confusion, trying to hide the tightness in my throat. All of me wants to run to him while at the same time my body wants to turn away and continue walking.

"Yeah, that's me." He sounds lighthearted, but I can see the tick in his jaw.

"You scared the shit out of me! Rolling up in your car at a slow pace behind a girl at two in the morning is not a good idea, for future reference." I stare at him, feeling like I can breathe knowing it is him and not some pervert.

"Well, you shouldn't be walking at two in the morning by yourself. It's not safe."

"I—" I try to reply, but he is making his way towards me gesturing for my bag. I reluctantly tugged the bag off my shoulder, bringing it to his waiting hand. He opens the passenger door, placing it on the floor. He motions for me to get in.

I take a step back in response.

He looks at me puzzled.

"Ryen, it's freezing. Get in, then we can continue talking." He waves his hand to the empty seat. "I can't let you walk to work at these hours. Come on." He tips his head to me, then back to the opening, and his words almost sound like a plea.

"Okay…thank you." I sigh.

I make my way to the car, hopping onto the passenger seat. Parker closes the door gently as I pull my seatbelt on. The hot air from the heater brushes against my face, warming me up far more than my coffee did. It smells like Parker in here. I inhale to savor it.

Vanilla and eucalyptus.

For some reason the smell causes me to feel even warmer. Parker puts the car in drive, hitting a button on the center control that looks like a seat that is caught on fire.

"Let's warm you up, shall we?" He smiles at me before looking back on the road.

The seat beneath me starts to grow warm causing me to relax even more, sinking into the seat for comfort. Not only does this feel amazing to be warm, but my muscles are so happy to find some relief from sleeping on the hardwood floor last night. My body straightens up at the thoughts of Devon.

I search for distraction when I hear a beat. At first, I didn't realize the soft sound of music coming from the speakers. I listen to try to figure out what he is listening to.

What kind of music does Parker Evans like?

Why do I care?

I continue to listen to the whisper of music.

Metallica.

"Master of Puppets" by Metallica.

---