Page 65 of Sweet Anarchy

I hang up the phone before he can reply, spotting my house keys hanging up with the pepper spray. I decide to grab them just in case, heading out the front door. I feel like a bit of a stalker – hunting down Zayn when he probably doesn't want to speak to me right now. But I'm so fucking stressed about our fight, I just need to see him.

I should probably tell the guys but they are busy, and I want to speak to Zayn alone so we can sort it out. Perhaps, I'll just go for a quick drive past and see if the Jeep is there. If not, I'll turn around and come back home.

Hitting the key fob, I slide into the driver's seat, putting my seat belt on. I do my best to calm my nerves, my mind picturing the conversation with Zayn. You know that thing your brain does when you're stressed and you start making imaginary scenarios in your mind? Usually the worst case – yeah, my mind was doing that. In my head, Zayn was laughing at me, telling me he's done with my bullshit and that he doesn't want to talk.

It's almost enough to make me stay put, but I can't. My anxiety and need to see him battling out rejected Rylee.

I do my best to stick to the speed limit, resisting the urge to speed. The last thing I need right now is a speeding ticket.

Wheels is only about fifteen minutes away with traffic, but it feels like a lifetime. Every time I get a red traffic light, I curse.

I'm just about to turn the stretch of road that leads to Wheels when my phone starts ringing. I look down at the screen, grimacing when Blake's name flashes at me.

He's probably mad that I've left without telling them. I answer the phone, putting it on speaker.

"Sorry, Blake. I'm just out for a short drive. I won't be long," I tell him, trying to reassure him I'm not going on some suicidal mission.

"Rylee," Blake says sharply. "Where are you going?"

I pull an embarrassed face, thankful he can't see it. "Volts thought he saw Zayn, so I'm just going to see if it was him so we can talk. I feel terrible about yesterday. I'm not even mad about the funeral-"

"Rylee!" he interjects.

"What?" I snap, annoyed that he's cut me off.

"Zayn didn't make it to the meeting," he replies. "Bill said he never showed."

I tense up, a cold shiver running through my body. "What?" I ask again quietly.

I can hear movement in the background as Blake moves around. "Where are you going?" he demands and I hear the jingle of keys.

"Wheels… I'm nearly there."

"Fuck. Listen to me, Ry. Do not get off the phone to me. I'm on my way."

I squint my eyes as Wheels approaches, my heart jolting when I spot the Jeep. "I'm here. His car is in the parking lot," I tell Blake.

I hear the sound of his bike revving in the background. "Do not go inside! I don't care how stubborn or curious you are. Do you understand? You wait for me." he snaps.

"Okay…" I trail off, spotting someone walking around the side of the building. "There's someone here."

The sound of whooshing air comes through the call, Blake's voice barely audible. I park across the road, gazing through the tinted windows of the Aston Martin.

It takes me a second to focus on the figure, but my blood runs cold when I realize who it is.

"Fuck… fuck… fuck!"

Blake yells something down the phone, but I can't make out what he's saying. My hand pauses on the door handle, my eyes wide as I watch.

Stay in the car, Rylee… I tell myself.

My foot bounces nervously, a gasp escaping when I spot Jimmy exiting the bar to speak to Leo.

Fear starts paralyzing me, making me want to speed away. But I can't… Zayn might be inside with them.

"Blake will be here soon," I whisper to myself, my hand wrapping around my house keys.

I watch with wide eyes as they walk around to the front of the building, pausing as they spot my car. I lean back into the seat, even though I'm sure they probably can't see me through the tinted windows.

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