Page 83 of First Chance

Of all the things I’ve hated about myself, my brain has never been on the list. I’ve always been able to take pride in school and how smart I am. Top of my class, the one to set the curve on tests, and the overall ease in learning new subjects.

Yet, I’ve never felt dumber in my entire life.

Lochlan hasn’t spoken to me since he stormed away from me in the parking lot at the event. I rode home with Jordy, Seiver, and Curtis. All of whom are normally chatty with me, but didn’t offer me a word of support or advice.

I’ve really wrecked things this time.

I kick the little pebbles that haven’t succumbed to the mud, wandering across the gravel lot until I’m near the barns. I shouldn’t go any further, I’m not supposed to.

Instead of turning around and heading back to where all my textbooks are laid out in my depression room, my feet stay stuck in the same spot. I can’t move forward, and I don’twant to go back.

I tip my head back, staring into the dull gray sky, until the faintest of mists tickles my face. I should go back inside before my hair gets frizzy.

My feet pivot, and I watch the gates open to a shiny Audi SUV.

I turn back to the barns and bolt, dodging between two of the buildings because I know who drives that car.

It’s only a moment before they’re blaring the horn, and I hear the transmission shift into park. “JoAnna! I saw you!”

Very reluctantly, I emerge from my hiding spot. “What do you want, Austin?”

“I’m here to bring you home.”

“What? No.”

“Your parents informed me that I’m not to leave without you.”

“That’s not my problem. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You don’t have a choice. You need to come with me.”

The door to the garage beside me flies open suddenly, banging into the metal siding and making me jump. Hayes steps out, glaring at Austin. He’s holding a crowbar in his hand, looking too lethal for someone with his rap sheet.

“Who doesn’t have a choice?” He asks with deadly composure, stepping up beside me.

I’m incredibly concerned that he intends to use that crowbar on Austin until he flips one end over the other in his hand like a bat, handing it to me.

He doesn’t need it to cause serious damage. I can see it in his eyes, and that makes me more nervous.

Lochlan said he would never hurt a woman, but he didn’t say he wasn’t still dangerous or violent. I’ve seen how theyhandle situations here. There’s a reason Hayes is the only person who can keep Lochlan in check.

Austin is visibly nervous being confronted by a man, and Hayes takes notice, crossing his tatted arms and smirking.

“She doesn’t belong here, and if you try to stop me, then I’ll make a call to get you thrown back in prison,” he threatens.

“Is that so?”

“Parolees can’t slip up.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not on parole anymore.”

Austin blanches. That must’ve been his only defense, and it just went up in smoke. “Doesn’t matter. A criminal history is a criminal history.”

“I’m not a man who cares much about that.”

“You would go back to prison for her?” He scoffs.

“I’d go back to prison if it meant doing what’s right.”

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