Love Hurts (23 page)

“
Why go through all of the trouble?” She wanted to know. And suddenly it hit her, everything bursting back into her psyche in bits and pieces, fluttering back together like charred remains. She literally shook her head trying to settle her racing thoughts. “Are you going to kill me?”

Sam’s head jerked sideways. He slammed on the breaks, pulling off the deserted road.

“
I would never hurt you. See this is what upsets me. You never saw me like this until I told you who I really was. Just get out of my car, Delaney.” Sam gripped the stick shift, staring at the floorboard of the car, afraid to look at her. His whole body was devastated at what he was doing, no part of him wanted to let her go.

She didn’t budge. And this made him even angrier. “Delaney, get out. Do us both a favor.”

All the memories were there poking at her, messing with her, scolding her for the feelings that were eating her alive, feelings of something other than hatred for him. She reached out and touched his arm, her fingers wrapping around his wrist.

“
I’m afraid to let you go,” she said in hardly a whisper, closing her eyes.

Sam swallowed. Maybe she didn’t remember. Maybe he had corrupted more of her mind then he planned on. “I’m the man who hurt Rose, the man who betrayed you and lied to you, the demon.”

“
You said that wasn’t you. Maybe I’m wrong.” She sighed. “Maybe your right and I can forgive you.”

Sam pulled away. He leaned across her lap and pushed her door open, unbuckling her seatbelt with one swift poke of his index finger. “Go.”

“
Why aren’t you listening to me?” Delaney asked, pulling at his arm, fighting against his withdraw, the fabric of his t-shirt in her clutch. “I want to believe you.”

“
I’m not the man you need. I’m not the man you deserve. Just get out of my car.” He pleaded. “I don’t want things to turning out worse. So just do it.”

Sam dodged her stare down. He knew Delaney. He messed up, even if she was to blind at the moment to believe it. She would thank him later. She finally gave in, dropping her feet out on top of the sandy ground.

She didn’t bother closing his door. She couldn’t believe he had drove her three hours out of his way and left her with no shoes in the heat.

***

Dylan sat up at the sight of the brunette on the side of the road. Clearly this spiked Frankie’s interest enough to slam on his brakes and pull behind the car.

“
Is this the reason you were speeding the entire ride?” she asked, studying the girl. Trying to make sense of what was going on. “Should I get out?”

“
Just stay put. I’ll explain later,” Frankie said. He climbed out of his car. Impressed with how fast he caught up with his brother. He slapped a hand on the top of Sam’s car and leaned in.

“
Good old sunshine. How did I know I’d find you here?” Sam didn’t have a pleased expression on his face. “The girl doesn’t even have a pair of shoes on, Sam.”

Sam drug a hand down his face. “Then give her the one’s on your little tag alongs feet. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.” He threw the car into drive.

Frankie stayed put. “You are aware your door is still open. Or do you want me to get that for you?” He wasn’t going to pity Sam. It wasn’t what he needed at the moment. Instead he stood up and located Delaney on the opposite side of the car. “So now the cats out of the bag, you know who Sam really is, doesn’t change anything between the two of you. If anything it makes it a hell of a lot better.”

Delaney crossed her arms, refusing to speak to Frankie. Now all her feelings toward him made sense.

“
So he’s different then most guys. Why does it always have to fall into the category of bad or wrong with you people?” Frankie scoffed. “Still looks like the same guy to me. Only difference now is you know all his deep dark secrets.”

“
He hurt my friend,” Delaney pointed out. She was sure Frankie was well aware of this. She was also certain he probably was capable of the same type of behavior.

“
That’s who he is. He doesn’t fault you for drinking espresso and frequenting country clubs with your uptight family.”

Sam shot out of the car, pushing Frankie. “I don’t need your help!”

“
It looks like you do,” Frankie insisted. “I’m trying to salvage this poor pathetic relationship for you.”

“
There is nothing to be salvaged. Not everyone is like you. People don’t see things the way we do. Just let it go.” Sam turned to Delaney. “Forget what my brother is saying and just go.”

Frankie shook his head in disbelief. “So that’s that? We just go our separate ways? You take off to another state and try to move on. And she hitch hikes back to town and mourns the loss of her love life.”

Sam couldn’t believe he was battling Frankie over ditching Delaney.

Dylan watched the theatrics taking place on the side of the dusty road. Her phone chirped. She hit the button, putting it to her ear. “Hola.”

“
I have to say this is the first time I have been ditched,” Mitchell said. Dylan sat up, her usual laidback way a thing of the past. “I bet you and your little boyfriend are having a good laugh at my expense.”

“
No, not at all. He’s an old friend.”

“
He’s the son of a very powerful man. I don’t think you know what kind of prize you just landed.”

Dylan raised an eyebrow interested. “What do you mean?” She knew Frankie was special. But Mitchell talked about him like he was even more than that.

“
You owe me a lot of money, Dylan. And we can just forget about all that if you do me a little favor.” Mitchell’s voice took on a deadly quality. “Bring your little friend back to the bar.”

Dylan sighed. She could use a miracle at the moment. She was in a big mess back on campus. And Mitchell was part of that problem. “What do you want with him?”

Mitchell cleared his throat. “It’s not about me. I have someone very eager to see him.”

She weighed her options. Frankie probably would ditch her first chance he got. It wasn’t like he was looking for a girlfriend or even a friend. The guy ran solo. Well, besides his brother she thought. She nodded her head. “I will see what I can do. But you have to promise me he doesn’t find out I had anything to do with whatever is going on.”

“
Of course, call me when you’re near the bar.”

Dylan hit end on her phone, tucking it back into her pocket. She drew up her legs, hugging them tightly, the feeling of dread washing over her. She knew from the moment she met Mitchell he was bad news. And now she was throwing Frankie to the wolves.

She felt pathetic.

Poor choices

“
What do you think he did?” Dylan asked. “Do you think he really left her on the side of the road?” She was totally baffled. Frankie and his life just kept getting more and more interesting.

Frankie dropped one hand to his leg. His gaze fixated on the road ahead of them. He wished Dylan wasn’t so prying. He didn’t like to give up so much information to some girl he met in a bar. “I haven’t the slightest idea.”

Dylan nodded. “So I was thinking when we were back in town we grab a drink at Solo.” She innocently looked at Frankie playing it off quite well.

Frankie shook his head. “I have some things to do.” It wasn’t completely true. But it was better than a flat out lie.

“
Just a drink. One drink won’t hurt anything.” She looked away feeling a bit fraught. He was already planning on bailing. “I wanted to spend a little more time with you. I’m sure I won’t see you again anytime soon.”

Frankie raised an eyebrow. “Look at you getting all sentimental. You know where to find me.”

Delaney nodded. “That doesn’t mean you want to be found. Come on. One drink.”

Frankie shook his head yes. “Did I ever tell you about the one time this old friend of mine got me jumped by about five people?”

Dylan’s head jerked up. And Frankie took notice. He wasn’t a fool. Something was off ever since he got back into his car with her.

“
No, you never did.” She dug her nails into her palm, secretly hiding her nervousness. He wasn’t as stupid as she hoped for. She thought it would be easy to lure him wherever she needed.

Frankie nodded his head. “Yeah, I once trusted this kid from school, until he convinced me to take a run with him to this park to pick something up for his brother. Well, I got the shit kicked out of me.”

Dylan swallowed.

“
But pain is nothing compared to
death
. Everyone can get over pain it’s all in the mind. That was the last time I trusted anyone.” Frankie returned his hand to the steering wheel. He was confident he got his point across.

Dylan shrank back into her seat, staring out the window. Had he just admitted to killing someone? Was this a warning to her not to mess with him?

She flipped her phone open,
no good on Solo.

Instantly she received a reply back from Mitchell.
It has to be good or consider your debt back on my list.

She sighed, shooting Frankie a quick look before she replied, her fingers trembling.
Ok, but I think he knows what is going on
.

Her foot shook out of nervous habit.
Don’t worry. It’s all taken care of. You just bring him to me.

Twenty minutes, if I can convince him.

“
So how about that drink,” Dylan asked again. “Maybe you can share some more stories with me.”

Frankie smiled. “What the hell. I got the feeling it will be worth my time.”

***

He did it. Left Delaney abandoned on the side of the road. He did an amazing job at blocking out the guilt. And now he packed in a rush to leave. Throwing all he could fit in his duffel bags.

Sam pushed his dresser away from the wall. A small scarcely noticeable square showed in the floor boards. He popped his finger into the small furrow carefully removing the artificial cover. He removed a large envelope. A place he housed passports, credit cards, and very important information he needed to make a fresh start.

He placed the envelope on top of his clothes and zipped the bags. There was nothing left for him to do but leave. Get in his car and leave yet another disastrous life behind. A life he hoped would pan out for once. But they never did time and time again.

***