Page 3 of Crossing the Line

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I slouched against the car, then slid down until I was sitting on the icy road, a couple of feet between me and the girl. “The black ice, she was, I mean, I didn’t mean to…I’m so sorry!”

The girl looked at her wrist, and her jaw tensed as she eased her hand into her jacket. She’d pulled down the zipper, slightly, and propped her hand so it stayed elevated.

Smart.

“There’s been an accident.” Jessa pressed her finger to her ear as she spoke into the phone and stepped away.

“Don’t worry, little guy,” the girl said to the puppy. “I’m going to get you help.”

“Is he okay?” I asked, resting my head back. Fatigue slammed into me like a tidal wave.

She glared at me and said, “He better be.”

“I’m really sorry, I— The ice—”

“If I find out you were texting and driving, you are so—”

“No, no way! I’d never do that.” Where’d she get off saying that? This girl didn’t know anything about me. “I didn’t expect anyone to be in the middle of the road,” I said quietly.

Everything sounded so loud, and the light above me, man, it seemed brighter than the sun. I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“He was on the road. I had to stop and help him.” She held up the puppy and then grimaced.

My mouth went dry, and a wave of nausea swarmed over me.

This was not good. Not good at all.

“You don’t look so hot,” she said, her scowl softening.

“Gee, you think?” I used the Jeep to balance and slowly rose to my feet, drawing in a deep breath of the cold air.

I was supposed to quickly pick up Jessa. Technically, it was illegal to drive after midnight if you weren’t eighteen, but I’d done it a million times, and she’d needed a ride.

We were less than ten minutes away from her house… But instead of dropping her off, I was on the side of the road, bleeding.

We were lucky to be alive. I’d never been in an accident before, and it was terrifying how fast it all went down. I could have seriously hurt her. Killed her. Thank God that hadn’t happened.

“I don’t recognize you,” I said, leaning over, resting my hands on my knees.

“Wow. This really is a small town.” She shook her head.

I shrugged, and a pain shot through my skull.

“I’m Grace. Just moved here from Alaska a few days ago. I think this town needs a new welcome committee.”

“Hey. I didn’t mean—”

“I know. I’m just… This isn’t how I saw my night turning out.”

“Same.”

“Your name is Ryan?” she asked me.

“Yeah, but everybody calls me Preach.” I touched my forehead. Man, there was a huge bump forming, and it felt warm, like there was a lot of blood.

“Okay, no. We’re okay to watch for them!” Jessa slid her phone into her pocket and hustled to us. “Ambulance is on its way.”

Leaning against the Jeep, Grace slowly pushed herself up. She wasn’t using anything but the strength of her legs, since she held the dog with one hand, and her injured one was tucked in her jacket.


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