Page 66 of Pretty Broken Wings
I wait for him to beg for my forgiveness. To tell me he forgavemefor losing my shit. To ask me to be friends with him again.
Only he doesn’t. He just stands there, running his hands through his hair. “How bad is it? Do we need to get it looked at?”
I start to brush it off like I’ve always done, then pause.
Did he just… ask if I need to get it looked at?
“I, uh…”
I wait for him to say sike. To change his mind.
But he doesn’t.
“It, uh… actually does hurt pretty bad.” I pull my hand down into my lap for effect.
“Do you think it’s broken?” Axel’s gaze tightens.
“No!” If it’s broken, he’ll be more mad. I have to play this just right. “No, I mean, I don’t think so.”
Axel lets out a breath, visibly relaxing. “Okay, then. Sprains heal on their own.”
Oh shit. Is he going to rescind his offer to get help? I quickly say, “It’s just… I felt something snap.”
Axel runs a hand down his face. “Snap?” He lets out a deep sigh. “Okay. Okay. You have your shoes on?” He looks down at my feet. I haven’t actually taken them off yet. Or any of my clothes.
“Okay. It’s cold.” He moves to the living room, grabbing two coats. I watch him numbly. Is this really going to work?
“Bring the ice.” He motions at the pack on the table. I grab it, and Axel throws the coat over my shoulders. It’s a pink women’s coat, and I frown at it.
Axel gets red. “Sometimes women… leave things here.” He darts to the couch to grab his.
Oh, awesome. I didn’t need to know that, and it kinda pisses me off.
I glare at him, but he just ushers me outside to the car. Tomycar.
A feeling of freedom fills my chest. My car. I can drive. Then, when he steps away, I can tell the doctor what's going on. That Axel’s been keeping me against my will.
Axel gets in on the other side, and I clutch the ice pack to my hand with my half-done nails. Fuck, this is actually going to work! For once, I get my hopes up.
Axel gives me directions, and I follow them. I’m almost out of gas, but I think I’ll have enough to get to the hospital. Maybe? I’ve never had to go to the hospital here. Never needed it, plus it’s too expensive even if I did.
We drive through neighborhoods for longer than I thought we did to get here. But maybe Axel’s taking me the back way.
Then, things start to look familiar, and my heart starts to pick up.
No way. He isn’t…
I look around and realize we’re not at a hospital. We’re on Gage’s street.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
He directed me to Gage’s house. It takes a second to process.
In that second, Axel leans over, pulls the emergency brake, and slams the gear shift into park. The car grinds, slides, and lurches to a stop sideways on the road.
“If you run, I’ll chase you.” Axel’s voice is dark, and suddenly, he’s getting out of the car.
Fight or flight kicks in, and I rip my door open, flinging my seat belt off and darting into the street.
