Page 13 of Chance Encounter

“I don’t see her.” Chance looks over his shoulder at me. He licks his lips, making me remember how he blew me right before I took a nap. “We could make a run for it, or I guess I should say I can make a run for it, and you can hobble out. I’m positive I can get into my truck before she gets me.”

My eyes narrow. “And fuck me, if I don’t make it?”

“I didn’t say that. I could always hit her with my truck.”

“What?” I laugh. “You’re not going to hit her with your truck. That will probably only piss her off.” Plus, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if Sally got hurt or killed because of me.

“Probably not, but did it make you feel better that I wouldn’t leave you out there to die?”

“Strangely no. I hate to be a broken record, but can you take me home?”

He lightly chuckles. “Let’s get you home before you file kidnapping charges. Although, if I keep you long enough, maybe you’ll get Stockholm Syndrome and start to like me.”

“How about I promise to like you more once I’m home and in my own bed?”

Chance’s eyes flare. “Is that an invitation to join you in your bed?”

Sitting up, I grab the crutches off the floor. I’m so ready to be out of here. Not that I haven’t been trying to leave the entire time I’ve been here.

“Wow, I didn’t think it was that bad. I mean, I can’t even stand your company, and I don’t want to kick you out as badly as you want to leave.” He shakes his head. “Alright, let’s do this. I’ll go out, get my truck started, and pull it up front.” He rolls his lips while turning to look outside. “If Sally comes barreling this way, I’ll honk the horn, and you stay inside.”

“Oh, are you worried I might be eaten?”

“I don’t need your death on my conscience. That’s why I’m taking you home. If the bear doesn’t do the job, I’m sure I will.”

And there’s the asshole. I thought maybe he was gone for a second, but I was wrong. The asshole part of him reared his ugly head once again.

“Perfect, I’ll grab my clothes, and I’ll be ready to go.”

He lets out a sigh and walks over to the chair by the door where my coat and snow pants are. “I’ve got them. They’ll just slow you down.”

“Thanks,” I say, shocked.

“Don’t let it go to your head. I’ll push you out of the truck when we reach your house. I won’t even stop. You’ll have to tuck and roll if you want to live.” He smirks.

I stand and face him. “Damn, with a comment like that, maybe you should just leave me to my fate with Sally. I don’t have much practice in jumping from moving cars.”

He watches me intently as I put my boot on my left foot. I look at my right foot and groan. The thought of putting my boot on it seems insurmountable.

Chance strides over and snatches my boot out of my hand. “I wouldn’t put that on. I’ll take your boot too.” He turns and starts to the front door. “I’ll see you out there.”

I won’t deny watching him leave isn’t a pleasure. His tight ass in jeans is a sight. Or maybe it’s because even though Polar Bear is mostly men, none of them are to my liking except the asshole in front of me. It doesn’t help that I haven’t visited a neighboring town and had any relief in months.

I’ve barely stood up when I hear Chance’s truck start in the distance. I’m happy that I don’t have my clothes to carry with these damn crutches.

Before closing the front door, I glance back at Chance’s house. It’s the first time I’ve been here and most probably the last. I hustle as fast as I can down the stairs, which isn’t fast at all, looking right and left for a giant furball coming at me. Only Sally never comes. Chance pulls up in front of his house, and I hop in.

As we’re pulling away, I swear I hear a roar, but when I look back, I see nothing. “Did you hear something?”

“I think your imagination is getting away from you.” He glances at me and just as quickly looks back to the road. “It’s either that or you didn’t really want to leave.”

Peering over at him, I chuckle. It’s strange to have this weird push and pull with Chance. He was my first crush and the guy I’ve been the most attracted to in all my years, but he’s infuriating. He’s also the one who ruined my life ten years ago. “Oh, I want to leave.”

“I think you’ll miss me and Sally. It might not be today or tomorrow, but someday,” he says playfully. It’s new, and I kind of like this side of him, but I know it won’t last.

“Maybe, but you’re right; it won’t be anytime soon.” I look at the sky as it starts to snow. I’m used to the snow, so it’s not a big deal—I mean, if you can’t hack it, you shouldn’t live in Alaska—but it’s the color of the sky and how the snow comes heavier and faster with each minute that passes that has me worried.

Chance has the heater going full blast to combat the broken window. It’s the only sound in the otherwise silent truck.

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