still manages to launch into another monologue around a mouthful of food. I’m regretting my decision to join him more and more as the minutes tick on.
When the waitress returns and Declan reaches for his fourth beer, I can’t help but notice that his words have begun to slur. I concentrate on eating as Declan drains his current beverage. After he sets it down, he grabs his next one and again casually runs a finger along my arm. It’s the fourth time he’s touched me.
What a douchebag.
I pull my arm back and concentrate on my meal. The only good thing about this dinner is that I found a car to rent, and it’s available tonight.
It’s a ten mile distance to the rental, though. I’ll most likely have to walk some of it, if not all of it. There aren’t any Ubers, Lyfts, or taxi services around here. I’ve checked. But maybe, with any luck, another nice trucker will pick me up.
Just as I finish my last fry, Declan starts talking about his job again. He uses words like “real important” and says constantly that he’s “the man in charge.”
I roll my eyes, but he’s too drunk to notice. He probably also hasn’t realize that in the thirty minutes we’ve spent together, he’s only asked me two questions: where I live and how I got here. The rest has been all about him.
“I’m gonna go.” I reach down to grab the backpack and then slip a twenty on the table. It’s more than enough to cover my meal with a generous tip.
Declan’s eyebrows rise, and he polishes off his fifth beer. Or is it his sixth? I’ve lost count. “Go where?” He raises his empty bottle and waggles it at the waitress across the bar.
Classy. That’s one of my biggest pet peeves as a waitress—demanding customers who treat you as a servant instead of as a human being.
I sling the backpack over my shoulder. “Car rental place. Remember?”
He leans back in his chair and gives me a sly grin. “You don’t need that. I’ll give you a ride.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Do you really think you should be driving right now?”
He abruptly leans forward. “Course I should.” A hiccup escapes him before he adds, “Where you wanna go?” He’s staring at my breasts again.
I shake my head. “I’m good, thanks, don’t worry about me. You just get yourself home safely.” I turn to leave, but his hand clamps down on my forearm. I freeze.
“I said I’d give you a ride.”
I pull my arm away. “And I said I’m good.” It’s too loud in the bar for anyone to notice Declan’s aggressive behavior. Everyone carries on drinking and talking, but I level Declan with an icy stare to let him know I mean business before walking away.
Massive douchebag.
Once outside, I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not looking forward to the long walk, but the temp has cooled, which means I won’t be sweating the entire way. I eye the sun that’s almost set. A deep-red glow fills the horizon.
After rubbing my hands on my forearms, I head toward the airport.
∞ ∞ ∞
I make quick work of the distance and am at least a few miles down the road before I hitch my thumb out. One car passes me but doesn’t slow.
I grumble and keep walking. This obviously isn’t a well-traveled road, but I figure sooner or later someone will stop.
Stars are twinkling above when I pull the pack around to dig inside it. Despite it being the end of summer, a chill has set into the air. High mountain deserts are like that. Hot during the day, cool at night. I’m used to it after living in this state my entire life.
My hands close around an old flannel when the sound of a second car in the distance reaches my ears. A cedar wood scent flutters up around me.
My nostrils flare when the scent hits me. “Collin?” I whisper. My heart patters, and with a dropped jaw, I realize my reaction isn’t from fear.
But then I recognize the scent I’ve detected is from Collin’s shirt, and that he’s still miles away in those forgotten mountains, and he’s definitely not in the approaching vehicle.
That heavy feeling in my stomach returns, but I stand back up, forgetting about the flannel. I hitch my thumb out as the bright headlights draw closer.
It’s fully dark now, and I realize hitchhiking by myself in an unknown area isn’t the smartest move. I briefly wonder if I