Page 62 of Huge Dynamite
“Holly?”
“Fuck.” Stopping short and turning around, I see Robert. “I can’t, Robert. Just, please, give me some space.”
“I will.” He holds up his hands. “All I ask is that you think about what I said.”
“There’s nothing to think about.”
Sighing, he grins in the most patronizing way. “Your parents are a different generation, kid. But I understand you and your need to express yourself. I can even accept the tattoo.”
“Robert…” Turning my back on him and clutching my bag tight to my side, I walk toward my car that I don’t particularly like. Opening the top of my bag, I feel around for my anti-anxiety meds. I don’t want to take them; it just feels good to know they’re there. Leaving the meds in my bag, I press the fob to unlock the door. Putting my hand on the handle, I’m just about free when I feel Robert behind me. Crap. “What, Robert?”
Whipping around to face him, he greets me with open arms. Stepping closer to me, he pulls me into a hug. What a crazy, uncharacteristic public display of affection from Robert. He hugs me tight, but my arms stay stiff—one clutching my open bag to make sure nothing falls out, and the other tight by my side.
When he finally releases me, I shake my head. “The whole time we were dating, you never hugged me in public. Not once.”
“Like you said—” He grins. “People change.”
“Yeah, okay.” Jumping into my car, I pull out from my spot as fast as I can. Moving through the lot carefully, I finally make it to the exit, and as I turn onto the street, a sense of calm settles over me, battling my anxiety. Taking a deep, normal breath, I turn in the direction of Greenville. Glancing in my rearview, I see that Robert has walked out onto the sidewalk and is watching me drive away.
Pushing the speed limit, my tight neck muscles loosen and my breathing calms. The faster and farther I go, the smaller and more insignificant Robert—and all of my past—becomes.
With my past behind me, all I have to think about is my future—and whether or not Seth Hardy will be in it.
Chapter Fifteen
Dynamite
What the fuck have I just done? Sitting on my bike in front of Holly’s clinic, I glance at the time on my phone—4:30 AM. Where the hell is she? I’ve been up and down the street a bunch of times, but I don’t see her car—or her—anywhere. Maybe she’s working or staying in her apartment in Phoenix tonight? Crap—the image of Dr. Robert Covens pops into my brain, but I can’t let myself think she may be with him. There’s nothing between them, I’m sure of that, because if there was, we couldn’t have hadthatnight together.
Rolling my shoulders back, I notice I’m almost pain-free. Thankfully, I didn’t dislocate my shoulder. What a stupid-ass move, but shit, if I hadn’t made it out that window…
Shaking my head, I focus on this moment. None of that matters. All that matters is that I stay put right here in front of her clinic. Not only did I piss on Dog home turf, but by threatening Luther over the town of Greenville, I just gave them the ammunition they need to bring me to my knees.
It all hinges on Holl—
Lights from a car pulling up to her building catch my attention. Putting up my arm, I shield my eyes from the headlights, squinting to see who it is. The tension in my gut releases as soon as I recognize the car and see Holly at the wheel.
Hopping off my bike, I walk up to her as she gets out of the car and moves around to her trunk.
“Holly.”
“Oh!” Slamming her trunk closed, she holds a box in one arm and puts her free hand to her chest. “You scared me. Seth? What are you doing here?”
“Checking on you.”
Nodding, she sighs. “You’re not here to tell me to move, are you? Because I don’t think I can take one more person in my life telling me they know what’s best for me.”
“No. I’m sorry about before. I was worried about you, and I overreacted.”
“Thank you.”
We stand, staring at one another.
“Can I?” I motion to the box in her arms.
“Yeah, thanks.” Handing me the box, she turns and walks up to the door, unlocking it. “I know whyI’mup at this hour—I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been packing all night.”
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing heart. Fine. If she moves in here permanently, I’ll just have to give up my apartment and live on my bike outside.
