𝓒𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓪

He walked me back to my car. I started to take off his coat to hand it back before he interrupted me. "Keep it," he said. "I'll get it back the next time I see you," he said confidently.

I looked up at him as he leaned closer, panic seeping in, and then he opened the door.

I let out a soft breath of relief.

I put my keys into the indigation, but the only sound was a puttering. Oh no.

I tried again, but nothing changed. I looked through the window at Maverick.

No, no, no, no, no. Please work.

I opened the door. "It won't start," I said almost sheepishly, slightly scared by what this opportunity could provide him.

He leaned into my car, looking for something, and then popped the hood. I watched as I stepped down from the car, keeping a safe distance away.

He sucked in a breath, "you might have to ride with me or call someone. I don't have my phone on me."

"Oh," I stared at him as I brought out my phone. He stuck his hand in, looking at things closely to try and see despite the darkness.

I tried turning on my phone, but nothing happened. The screen remained black. A sense of panic seeped into my bones.

"My..." I looked at him cautiously. "My phone is dead."

He looked up and paused, thinking, and then looked at me. "Are you okay with riding with me?"

I swallowed and looked away.

"There's not really much else I can do unless if you want to hitch a ride with a stranger, which doesn't seem to likely."

Could I trust him? Would he hurt me? Would he use me? Take advantage? He was over six feet and stronger than me. He could do anything.

I swallowed, trying to control the shaking in my body.

He hasn't tried anything. I've been okay.

"... Yes." I grabbed my arms, my body trembling at the thoughts, the memories that could be repeated.

He watched me, his brows furrowing, and took a step onto the sidewalk. "Hey, I promise you'll be okay. I wouldn't do anything to you." His voice softened, and he proceeded to move closer.

I took a step back when I thought he seemed too close for comfort.

He watched but said nothing about it, "It's clear it's hard for you to trust, but I'm asking you to trust me. I'm a man of my word, and I promise on my very life I won't do anything to you, okay?"

After a long moment, I nodded. Slowly, he walked me to his car, keeping his distance for my comfort, and opened the door for me.

I climbed into his truck, reaching for the ceiling handle on tiptoe to pull myself up.

I remained close to the door, holding my arms in tight grips as he drove. He mentioned going back to his place because the drive to mine would take an hour, and considering how late it already was, I agreed after some hesitation.

Oh, Violet, I'm sorry.