I curled up on the sofa with my plate of food as Liv plopped down beside me.
“You’re not gonna answer him?” she pressed.
“Nope.” I shook my head, taking a giant bite of my sandwich.
She sighed in aggravation but didn’t press.
“We going out tomorrow?” I asked.
She made a grumbling noise at the subject change but nodded nonetheless. “Sure. Jilly’s?” she suggested.
It was our favorite bar within walking distance from the house.
“Sounds good,” I agreed, flipping on the television and scrolling to our latest dramedy addiction.
****
The next night, plied with much needed caffeine after a full day, I stood next to Liv as we got ready for a night out. I’d chosen my standard black jeans, a loose-fitting green sweater, and boots. Portland was perpetual sweater weather, and I’d begrudgingly embraced the look, though I missed the strappy sandals and sundresses I’d worn at home. Despite being a tomboy at heart, I’d never dressed like one. I left my long black hair down and loose around my face. With a swipe of eyeliner on my blue eyes and some gloss on my full lips, I was ready.
Livie was dressed similarly, though where my figure was tall and lean, Liv was curvy with an ass I envied on a frequent basis. She’d swept her blonde hair up into a loose bun, her only makeup a swipe of mascara on her gorgeous brown eyes.
“Ready?” she asked with a raised brow.
“Ready.” I nodded.
I linked my arm through hers as our boots hit the wet pavement in a rhythmic splash that had become a soundtrack of sorts since we’d moved here.
Once we posted up at our favorite bar, we relaxed over a few drinks and some good music. It was one of those nights where nothing specular was happening, and that was part of the joy of it—special in its simplicity.
“Holy shit. Is that Jared Waters? From high school?” Liv’s eyes were squinted across the dimly lit bar.
I swiveled to follow her line of sight. “Looks like it,” I replied, spotting him by the entrance. “I didn’t realize he went to school here.”
“He probably followed you since he’s so in loooove with you,” she teased, making a kissy face.
I rolled my eyes. “Right. And he’s coming over.” I sighed. I so wasn’t in the mood for small talk.
“Hey, Wren, Olivia,” he greeted, looking surprised to see us. “I didn’t realize you guys went to school here.”
“We were just saying the same thing.” I nodded, delivering what I hoped was a friendly smile. Just because I’d never returned his feelings didn’t mean I should be a dick.
“I transferred in this year,” he explained. “Can I get you girls a drink?” he offered with a raised brow toward the bar.
“Su—” Liv was about to agree as I cut her off abruptly.
“No, thanks. We’re good.” I didn’t want to lead him on, and frankly, I wanted to spend the evening with Liv, not some guy from high school I barely knew.
He shrugged easily enough. “All right, well I’m sure I’ll see you around. Have a good night.”
“You too,” I said in parting before turning back to a glaring Liv.
“What the hell, Wren?” she growled, or tried to. That was the thing about Liv, she couldn’t pull off angry very well. She always just ended up looking like an adorable little bunny rabbit when she scrunched up her nose. “He’s cute and nice and has always been into you. Don’t you think it’s time you gave another guy a shot and stopped holding out for Max?”
“I’m not holding out for Max,” I protested. “I was just never interested in Jared.”
She raised a brow. “Or any of the other guys who have asked you out.”
I shrugged. “Or them either,” I agreed.
She sighed in consternation and took a swig of her drink. I knew I drove her crazy, but at least she loved me and would ultimately support me no matter how much she might want to challenge me.
After all, that was what friends were for, right?
Chapter 2
WREN
It was a particularly rainy evening when I made my way to my car after my last final three days later. Summer was upon us, but you’d never know it based on the weather. Despite the gloomy evening, I felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders with finishing finals. No more studying—at least until the fall.
My boots clomped noisily on the ground as I spotted my car, one of the few left in the parking lot. I had my keys out ready to unlock it when I was slammed into from behind. The force of it sent my head crashing into the side of my car, my backpack flying off my shoulder as my knees gave out beneath me.
I sat dazed for a second before my assailant yanked me to my feet by my hair. It was then I got my first real look at him. He was a huge, bald-headed man with beady eyes and a grim smile that sent a chill racing down my spine. “Damn, you’re cute. Looks like I’ll have to take another type of reward,” he leered.
I recoiled from him. “You’re disgusting,” I spat, bringing a knee up and missing my goal by a few crucial inches, hitting his upper thigh instead.
His expression darkened with fury before an even more unsettling look resembling glee had a smile ghosting across his lips. “You want to play rough, little mama? Fine, we’ll play rough.” He growled as he pulled my head back even farther.
His fist flew to my face, its force delivering a painful blow that nearly knocked me unconscious. He released his grip, and I staggered, trying to keep my balance.
“Just take my wallet.” I panted, feeling like I might faint or pass out.
“Wren!” The vaguely familiar voice calling from across the lot sent a shot of relief through me.
My assailant grumbled to himself before hesitantly letting me go and loping off in the opposite direction.
“Wren, oh my God! Are you okay?”
I looked up through one eye, the other having swelled shut, to find Jared peering over me with concern.
“I think so.” I reached out to grasp his arm for balance.
“I’m going to call the cops,” he said, pulling out his phone as he wrapped an arm around me to steady me.
“Can you also call Liv? Ask her to come?” I asked in a small voice.
“Sure,” he agreed gently.
The next hour was chaotic as the police arrived almost at the same time as a frantic Olivia who rushed to my side, grasping my hand in hers where it stayed the entire time I gave my statement.
Even after the police excused him, Jared stayed, saying he wanted to make sure I was okay. Even in my foggy state of mind, I thought that was considerate of him.
“You’d never seen him before?” the police officer asked. I’d already answered that question, and after an hour of describing my ordeal, I was more than ready to be done.
I shook my head in frustration. “No. Like I said, I thought maybe he wanted to steal my wallet, but he didn’t even take it. He said something about taking another type of reward, like another one had been offered to him, but I have no idea what that meant,” I explained, feeling exhausted.
“Are we all done?” Olivia spoke up assertively. “We’ve been over all the details. I’d like to get my friend home.”