Crash Into You by Roni Loren Page A

engine didn’t fire. She gritted her teeth and twisted the key again. Nothing. Not even a click. The damn car wasn’t even trying to start. She banged her fists against the steering wheel, the tears finally escaping. “You’re going to die on me
now
?”
    A sharp tap on the window made her jump. Reid peered in and mouthed, “You okay?”
    God, couldn’t a girl get a moment alone to wallow? She grabbed a tissue from her purse and dried her face before shoving open the door. She climbed out and forced a smile. “Ever have one of those days where you wish you had just stayed under the covers?”
    He grasped her elbow and pulled her into an all-encompassing hug, the sudden contact stunning her into silence.
    Her first instinct was to pull back. For the last few weeks, she had carefully avoided touching Reid again, protecting herself from the internal longing she knew his touch would incite. But the warmth of his embrace was too delicious to reject. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had really hugged her. He smoothed her hair, and for a few luxurious seconds, she let her cheek rest against his solid chest.
    He sat his chin on top of her head. “Whatever it is, sugar, let me help.”
    She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling his cologne, imprinting the feel of him on her brain so that she could access the memory later. She slipped from his hold and stepped back. “I don’t need help.”
    He eyed the powder blue heap behind her. “I could call you a tow truck.”
    She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to pay for a tow or for anyone to fix it once it got to the garage anyway. “Um, no, that’s okay. I’ll get a friend to come take a look at it tomorrow.”
    He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Well, then I’ll give you a ride home.”
    She cringed inwardly. No way was she letting him see where she lived, much less witness what would greet her when she got there. He’d either be appalled or, worse, feel sorry for her. The thought turned her stomach. “I’m just going to take the bus, but thanks.”
    He shook his head and crooked a thumb toward the shiny black pickup behind him. “Get in the truck, Brynn. You said you have a family emergency. If that’s the truth, then you don’t need to waste time on the bus. Stop being so hardheaded.”
    She put her hands on her hips, ready to tell him to shove off, but then remembered the frantic edge in her sister’s voice. Her shoulders sagged as she said a silent good-bye to the friendship she and Reid shared. Once he saw who she really was, he’d bail like all her other friends always did. She gave him a dejected nod and followed him to his truck.
    When she told him her address, she expected a raised eyebrow, but his face remained stoic. “I know where that is.”
    They rode in silence, the muscles in Reid’s forearms flexing as he gripped the steering wheel. Clearly, she had done something to annoy him, but she didn’t have the energy for conversation. Instead, she stared out the window, watching the state of the neighborhoodsdecline as they passed each exit—from upper class to barely getting by in a mere fifteen miles.
    By the time Reid pulled into the driveway of her family’s shoddy rental, she was burning with embarrassment. She grabbed the cool metal of door handle and didn’t dare look at him. “Thanks for the ride.”
    The automatic locks clicked, preventing her from escaping.
    “I’m not leaving until I know everything’s all right.” His tone brooked no argument.
    She bit her lip, not knowing what to think of this version of Reid. The power that radiated off him made her insides twist with an emotion she couldn’t pinpoint. She took a steadying breath. “Okay, stay out here. I’ll come back out and let you know if I need you or not.”
    He stretched an arm across the back of the seat, as if settling in for the wait, and nodded.
    After disengaging the lock, she scooted out of the truck and said a silent