Page 44 of His Curvy Woman

Chapter 18

Whitley

The bed dipsdown on my left a few moments before I feel warm fingers push hair out of my face. “Baby, I’m leaving. I pulled the truck out and turned it around, so you won’t have to back it out today when you leave.” Hunter says in his thick country, drawl.

“Thank you.” I murmur, my voice still thick with sleep.

“Alright love, I’ll see you tomorrow when I get home,” Hunter says and then kisses me on my temple.

Still in bed curled up in the blankets, I wave goodbye and mumble I love him, needing at least another hour before I can fully function. It’s the weekend, and that means I get to sleep in and I’m not missing out on my extra hours.

I wake up over two hours later to a text from Andi telling me she won’t be able to make it to the beach with us today because she has to work an extra shift at the animal clinic. I can’t wait until she finishes veterinarian school and doesn’t have to work there anymore. I’ve tried convincing her to get another job, but she won’t listen to me. Since this is the only vet close to home, she feels lucky she even got the veterinary tech job. The problem is the vet is an asshole who can’t keep his hands to himself. She tells me she can handle it, but I’m not so sure.

Ramsey is supposed to be bringing his new girlfriend with him today, and he promised she’s the complete opposite of his ex, Julia and that I’ll love her. God, I hope so. He and Julia ended up breaking up right after Hunter questioned Ramsey a week after our date that ended in disaster. Ramsey had no idea about what had happened, but once he knew, he ended things with her immediately. Ramsey and I are close, no one messes with his little sister. I guess other things were going on in their relationship that no one knew about, and this just proved what he knew needed to happen.

I roll out of bed and use the restroom, forgoing the shower since I’ll be at the beach today. Going to my dresser to find my bathing suit, I grab it and pull my tankini top over my head and down over my stomach. I’m not showing yet since I’m only a couple months along in my pregnancy, but the top fits tighter than it used to, especially in my boob area. For the first time in my life, my clothes fitting tighter is a good thing. Our child is growing, and I couldn’t be happier.

I pick up my phone and call Tina to make sure she’s still able to attend.

“Hello?” She says.

Something sounds wrong. “Are you okay?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

I know there are things in her past that bother her sometimes. I wish she would share with me and get it out, so it won’t haunt her anymore. Tina is one of the kindest and funniest people I know, and I hate seeing her like this. “I’m just checking to make sure you’re still coming to the beach with us today.”

“Whit., I don’t know if I’m up to it today.”

“Ah, come on Tina. There’s nothing the sun, hot sand between your toes, and eating grilled burgers while hanging out with your favorite people can’t solve.” She doesn’t say anything for a minute, so press on. “I’ll come pick you up. Hunter is letting me borrow his truck today, so I can bring the big cooler and umbrella that won’t fit in my tiny Honda Civic.”

She snorts. “Tell me he didn’t drive your car to work today.”

“Yeah. I wish I was awake to see him squeeze into it. I doubt it’s a comfortable ride.” I say and laugh.

“I’m so happy for you Whit. Hunter loves you so much and treats you like a queen, just how you deserve. Guys like that are hard to find.”

“I know it. I count my lucky stars every night that he came back for me.”

“Alright. I need at least thirty minutes to get ready.”

“Perfect, by the time I’m ready and drive over, I should be there.”

Disconnecting the call, I finish getting ready and packing my bag for the beach. I grab the snacks I bought last night for today and take them out to his truck and see that Hunter has already put the large cooler in the bed of his truck. He’s absolutely perfect! I walk back inside and put Arya’s leash on her and make sure the house is locked up before I set the alarm and leave. When I open up the passenger side for Arya, she jumps in and lays on the floorboards. Getting into the driver’s seat, it takes me a few minutes to adjust the seat and mirrors to make sure I’m able to drive this monster of a truck. I already know it’s going to be a pain to drive since it’s so different from what I’m used to.

“Ready to go to the beach girl?” I ask Arya.

I pull out of our driveway and start heading out of our neighborhood. I’m only driving for a few minutes when I look in my rearview mirror and notice the black sedan that I saw months ago. A chill runs down my spine, and I’m filled with fear. Is he going to follow me too? What happens when I get to Tina’s apartment, will he drive off like he did with Hunter, or will he get out of the truck? Amid my panic, I miss the turn for Tina’s apartment. I decide to take the long way around and try and lose him.

Turning on a backroad and press down on the accelerator trying to get some space between me and the car that’s following me. It’s then that I notice the steering wheel jerks and it’s hard for me to steer. Then the engine starts smoking while the AC has stopped working. Fuck, what am I supposed to do? I’m panicking and not thinking straight. Stopping isn’t an option, if I stop who knows what he’ll do. Checking in the rearview mirror, I see the car is keeping a steady pace behind me, with no other cars around us to help. What was I thinking, turning down this old country road? I try and accelerate, but the truck begins to shake and jerk back and forth. My body is shaking and tears rolling down my eyes as I try and figure out what I’m supposed to do and how I’m supposed to make it out of this. The power in the truck turns off completely, and it starts to slow down.

I hit the steering wheel. “No! No, no, no! This can’t be happening!” I yell.

Arya barks and I realize for the first time in minutes that she’s in the truck and I still have her. Veering off to the side of the road, I wonder how long I’ll have before he gets to me. Is there time to run, will I even be able to get away? The truck finally stops, and I wait watching him in the mirrors to see what he’ll do next.

The black sedan parks about a car length behind me, but doesn’t get out of the vehicle. My heart is pounding, my breath already choppy from the adrenaline coursing through me. A thin but tall man gets out of the car and starts walking toward me. His piercing eyes are on mine the entire walk to the truck. As he approaches the driver’s side of the truck, I scoot to the passenger side, my back plastered against the door.

He tries to open the door, but it’s locked. “Open, the fucking door.” He yells in a thick Russian accent.

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