The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,55

a few hours ago, I’d been folded in half, trapped between Hayes’s incredible, huge muscled arms while he drilled me into the mattress and made me come so hard I know that the whole house must have heard me screaming his name.

“Oh.” He sounds like he needs to stop and think about it. “I’m downstairs. I’m having an executive team meeting,” he says. “Wait. Sugar Land’s flooding?” he asks.

“No. She’s at her parents’ in Meyerland,” I explain.

He lets out a long, low whistle and says, “Shit. We’ve had it on in the background nearly all afternoon. It’s a fucking disaster. I don’t understand how this city hasn’t done something to stop this from happening every fucking year. And why those people keep rebuilding in the same spot,” he says disgustedly.

“Her parents’ house has never flooded before. Never. This isn’t a regular storm, Hayes. And even if it had been, I don’t think assigning blame to anyone right now is helpful,” I snap at him.

“Give me an address; let me make some calls,” he says.

“It’s nine-zero-nine-nine Indigo, off Chimney Rock on the eastbound side,” I tell him.

“How the hell do you know which side is the eastbound side?” he asks.

“I’ve heard her say that before, Hayes. Can you ask me these questions later? Please make that call.” I’m practically yelling.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” he says softly, soothingly into the phone.

“Don’t try to calm me down, Hayes. I’m not going to calm down. Cass sounded scared. I know you don’t understand how urgent this is because you’ve never been forced to try and stay afloat in water you have no choice but to swim through. But every second counts. Please. Make that call,” I say through gritted teeth and then hang up.

I start to throw my jeans on but realize there’s no point in getting dressed. I don’t know anyone in this house, and I have no clue where Hayes is in it.

I sit back down on my bed and stare at my hands. A minute later, my phone rings. “King” flashes on my screen, and I pick it up before it has a chance to ring again.

“Tesoro, I spoke to my contact at the mayor’s office. They’re going to add her to the emergency list, but they may only be able to take the people who absolutely need to leave,” he says in a rush.

“Okay.” My answer comes out in a stuttered sigh as I try to think about what I can do. I know Cass and her dad will go crazy if her mom is taken and they can’t go with her.

“Listen to me. If they can’t take your friend, I’ll go get them myself when I’m done. My brother Beau’s truck is parked at the house while he’s away. It’s one of those monster trucks and it’s lifted more than six feet off the ground, and it’ll get through that water. It only seats five; we’ll only be able to take three other people.”

“I can stay home to make room for one more,” I say immediately. “If the rain doesn’t stop and they’re not rescued, they’ll end up spending the night on their roof and I can’t even imagine that for Cass,” I say.

“Okay.” He blows out a breath and says, “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. That truck is a nightmare to drive on a dry, clear day, but if the city doesn’t come through, I will.”

FOUR HOURS LATER

* * *

“Oh my God, TB, thank you so much,” Cass cries and throws herself into my arms as soon as she and her parents trudge into the foyer. They’re soaked, but safe. I look over her shoulder and take in the six other people Hayes brought with him. I only recognize Mr. and Mrs. Gold, Cass’s parents. The other three are a small, pretty woman and two children, a boy and girl, who, judging by their appearance, are between the ages of ten and twelve. The girl is as long and skinny as a beanpole, and her big eyes scan the room in amazement. Her mother puts a hand on her shoulder and says, “Stop staring,” and then smiles apologetically at me. I smile back and turn my attention back to Cass.

“Where’s Hayes?” I ask her.

“Parking the truck. He dropped us off first. You should have seen him, TB,” she says, wide-eyed. “The police put a blockade up on the street to stop any more rescue attempts. He drove straight through it. He backed up right