Page 79 of How We Loved

“’Bout time you made it in that slow-ass truck,” I taunt Dalton.

His truck is his life, and it’s cool as hell, but it’s a 1994 beast, and eighty miles per hour is about as fast as that thing will go.

“Shut up.” He grins, knowing I’m being playful.

Natalie runs up to Maya, so I loosen my grip on her so she can hug her friend.

“Are you okay?” Natalie asks.

Maya nods, then turns so she can check out her butt and leg. I look down and notice red spots coming through her jeans.

“Is that blood?” I ask, rage fueling me again.

Maya bites her lip, trying to hold back tears as she nods.

I examine her closer. “But your pants aren’t ripped.”

“It’s because he pulled them down, then yanked me out of the truck and onto the ground. I had to pull them back up before I called you.”

“He did what?” I growl, not able to contain one bit of the flames now raging through my soul.

She grabs me, wrapping her arms around my waist as she cries all over again.

It takes everything in my power to ask the next question, though the answer terrifies me like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. “Did he do anything to you?”

I hold my breath, praying she gives me the right answer.

I feel her shake her head.

“No. I pushed him off of me.”

My entire body sags with relief as I hold her tighter, thanking the Lord above that she was able to fight him off.

I glance at Eli and Dalton, who both raise their eyebrows in a silent pledge between us, saying, We’re going to go fuck this guy up.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Ben

I glance around at who’s here and try to make a game plan in my head. When Natalie comes up to us and places her hand on Maya’s back, I realize I can trust her to take care of Maya.

“Dalton,” I say, trying to get his attention.

He raises his eyebrows in acknowledgment.

“Can Natalie drive your truck back?”

“Yeah.” He takes the keys from his pocket and walks up to hand them to her.

She looks shocked that he’s doing such a thing. That truck is his entire life, but I guess she is now too.

They kiss, and then he turns to me. “Let’s roll.”

I lean back from Maya. “You go home with Natalie. Dalton, Eli, and I will go get your car. Is it at his place? Do you have the keys on you?”

More tears well up in her eyes, and I wipe them away before they fall down her precious face.

“My car is at his house, but my keys are in his truck, along with my purse and jacket.”

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