Chapter 13: Chapter 13

“See you at work, Tessa.” he says and climbs into his BMW.

Despite the sun, it’s still cold, so I quickly thrust my key into the ignition and turn it to start up the heater.

Click . . . click . . . click . . . is my car’s only response.

Frowning, I try again, and get the same thing.

“Can I get a freaking break!” I say aloud and hit my palms against the steering wheel.

For a third time I try to start my car, but of course nothing happens, not even the clicking this time. I look over, thankful that Trevor’s still here. His window rolls down, and I can’t help but laugh at my own misfortune.

“Do you think you could give me a ride?” I ask and he nods.

“Of course. I think I know where you’re going . . .” He laughs, and I climb out of my car.

I can’t help but turn my phone on during the short drive to Vance. Surprisingly, I have no new texts from Hardin. I have a few voicemails, but I don’t know if they’re from him or my mother. Choosing not to listen to them just in case, I instead text my mother and ask her about the dorms. Trevor drops me off at the door so I don’t have to walk in the cold, which is really thoughtful of him.

“You look refreshed,” Kimberly says with a smile as I walk in and grab a donut.

“I feel a little better. Sort of,” I say and pour myself a cup of coffee.

“Are you ready for tomorrow? I can’t wait to get out of here for the weekend—Seattle has amazing shopping, and while Mr. Vance and Trevor have their meetings we’ll find some fun stuff to do. Is . . . um . . . have you talked to Hardin?”

It takes me a second, but I decide to tell her. She’ll probably find out anyway. “No. Actually, I moved my stuff out yesterday,” I say and she frowns.

“I’m sorry, girl. It’ll get easier as time goes by.”

God, I hope she’s right.

MY DAY GOES faster than expected, and I finish this week’s manuscript early. I’m excited to go to Seattle, and I hope that I can get my mind off Hardin, even if it’s only for a little bit. Monday is my birthday, which I’m not looking forward to it at all. If things hadn’t gone downhill so quickly, I’d be on my way to England with Hardin on Tuesday. I don’t really want to spend Christmas with my mother either. Hopefully I’ll be back in the dorms by then—even if they’ll basically be empty—and then maybe I can think of a good enough reason to not show at my mother’s. I know it’s Christmas, and that’s terrible of me, but I’m not exactly in a holiday mood.

My mother texts me as my day is winding down, saying that she hasn’t heard back about the dorm. Great. At least I only have one more night until the Seattle trip. Shuffling around from place to place is not fun at all.

As I’m getting ready to leave for the day, I remember I didn’t drive to work myself. I hope Trevor hasn’t already left.

“See you tomorrow, we’ll meet here, and Christian’s driver will take us to Seattle,” Kimberly tells me.

Mr. Vance has a driver?

Of course he does.

When I step off the elevator, Trevor is sitting on one of the black couches in the lobby; the contrast of the black couch, black suit, and his blue eyes is very appealing.

“I wasn’t sure if you needed a ride or not, and I didn’t want to bother you in your office,” he tells me.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. I’m going to call someone about my car when I get back to the motel.” It’s slightly warmer than it was this morning but still freezing outside.

“I can wait with you if you want. My plumbing is fixed now, so I won’t be staying at the motel again, but I’ll wait with you if you—” He stops talking suddenly and his eyes go wide.

“What?” I ask and follow his eyes to see Hardin standing by his car in the lot and staring angrily at Trevor and me.

The breath has been knocked out of me once again. How does it keep getting worse?

“Hardin, what are you doing here?” I ask, storming toward him.

“Well, you don’t answer my calls, so I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?” he says.

“I didn’t answer for a reason, you can’t just show up to my job!” I yell back.

Trevor looks uncomfortable and intimidated by Hardin’s presence, but he stays next to me. “Are you okay? Let me know if you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?” Hardin’s eyes are wild.

“He’s taking me back to the motel since my car wouldn’t start.”

“Motel!” Hardin raises his voice.

Before I can stop him, Hardin has his hands on Trevor, gripping the collar of his suit as he slams him against a red truck.

“Hardin! Stop! Let him go! We didn’t stay together!” I explain. Why I’m explaining myself to him is beyond me, but I don’t want him to hurt Trevor.

Hardin lets go of Trevor’s clothing but stays in his face.

“Back off of him, now.” I grab Hardin’s shoulder and he relaxes slightly.

“Stay away from her,” he spits, his face only inches from Trevor’s.

Trevor looks pale, and once again I’ve brought someone else into this mess that doesn’t deserve to be.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell Trevor.

“It’s okay, do you still need a ride?” he asks.

“No, she doesn’t,” Hardin answers for me.

“Yes, please,” I say to Trevor. “I just need a minute.”

Like the gentleman that he is, he nods and goes over to his car to give us space.