Chris’s words from just before his death echoed in my head, and a distant memory returned of a move I’d learned in the self-defense class I’d taken in college. I tapped my palm against the man’s package. One tap, two taps, and then wham! I hit him hard, surprising him. His grip on the wire loosened.
While he was groaning and doubled over in pain, I jerked to the side and nailed his face with my fist. I didn’t have time to wonder why I hadn’t done this the night I was attacked; I just ran.
With my lungs and throat burning from the near choking, I hurled myself toward the front door. I snatched hold of the doorknob and twisted it. But Lindsey’s stepfather must have locked the door before following me into the kitchen. It refused to open. Shit.
I scrambled to unlock the door, breath coming fast. But in my haste to escape, I’d forgotten it got stuck unless you push on the door while twisting the lock. Leaning my weight against the door, I reached for the doorknob.
Lindsey’s stepfather grabbed hold of my arm and yanked me away from the door. Screaming, I wildly punched and struggled and squirmed. Anything to keep him from getting a firm hold on me. Anything to break free.
It worked. The hand holding me lost its grip, and I jerked my arm away.
Not expecting the sudden release, I stumbled sideways, the momentum pulling me toward the stairs and away from the door. With the man between me and the front door, I didn’t have a choice. I scrambled up the stairs, pushing hard to escape before he caught up with me.
Just before I reached the top step, I tripped.
A hand grabbed my ankle.
I screamed.
Chapter 45
Nolan
I grabbed my overnight bag from the overhead compartment and waited for everyone in the aisle to start moving. I was ready to shove them out of the way if it took any longer—which wouldn’t help my bad-boy image. Unfortunately, the flight had been delayed more than three hours due to bad weather.
As soon as I stepped off the plane, I rushed to where the cabs were waiting for new arrivals. The cold winter wind howled through me. Snow blanketed the ground; the roads and sidewalks hadn’t been cleared yet.
I climbed in a cab and gave the driver Hailey’s address. My leg bounced the entire ride there. I had no idea what I was going to say to her.
By the time the cab pulled up in front of her building, I still had no clue what I would say. I scanned the parking lot for her car, but it wasn’t here. Shit.
“Can you hold on?” I asked the driver. “I just need to verify something first.” I dialed her number on the new phone I’d bought after destroying mine against Mason’s wall. She didn’t answer. I called Kayla on the chance she knew where I could find Hailey.
She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Kayla? This is Nolan. Do you know where Hailey is?”
“She’s at her parents’. Why?”
“Her parents? I thought they were away on a cruise.”
“She’s house-sitting.”
I was about to thank her and end the call when she added, “She’s been having problems with some of your fans. One started phoning and warning her to keep away from you because you and Alyssa were meant to be together. And then the other day someone slipped a note under her apartment door, explaining why Hailey didn’t deserve you.”
Fuck. “Did she threaten Hailey?”
“No. She wasn’t one of those psychopaths who’ve been making those threats online.”
I gave the cab driver Hailey’s parents’ address. I’d planned to visit my old home while I was back in Northbridge—my therapist thought it would be a good idea, as long as I didn’t go there alone—but this change of plan meant I’d have to deal with the ghosts of my past sooner than I’d intended.
“Where are you?” Kayla asked.
“On my way to see her.”
“And why are you visiting her?” There was a definite smile in Kayla’s voice.
“That’s between Hailey and me,” I said, unable to keep the laughter out of my voice.
I heard a muffled scream. “Yes!”
After I ended the call, my leg resumed its bouncing as the cab drove through my old neighborhood. I tried to focus on happier times and not on what had happened five years ago. I didn’t want to revisit those memories tonight.
Tonight I would tell Hailey how I felt about her, and if things went well, we’d be making love for the rest of the night. I could deal with my ghosts tomorrow.
As the cab drove down the street to my house, I avoided glancing at it and I pointed out which house I was going to. Hailey’s car sat in her parents’ driveway.
As the cab zoomed off, I checked over my shoulder at the home that held so many dark memories. Maybe it was better if I visited it alone after all, instead of with Hailey. I wasn’t sure yet if I wanted her to know the full details of what had gone down that night.
I turned toward my house.
Chapter 46
Hailey