Lainey’s fingers dashed across the phone screen. She hit send on her message and began to type out another lengthy response before Dylan could reply. That bastard had spent the better part of her shift at the coffee shop arguing with her over text. The fact that she was now driving home did not stop the argument. It was now in full swing now.
Lainey had called him out for flirting with his coworker. She found the text messages to prove it. Of course, she should not have been snooping in his phone in the first place, and Dylan was focusing on that rather than his own indiscretion. Lainey had a bad habit of snooping and looking for trouble, but this situation was different. He was guilty and was not acknowledging his mistake.
She glanced at her phone, keeping one hand on the steering wheel, her eyes darting between her phone and the road. She knew it was not safe to text and drive, but she knew this road well and had done this a thousand times before.
Dylan’s angry response finally popped up before she could polish off her long retort.
“We’re done. I’m breaking up with you. Have your shit out by the end of the day.”
Her heart sank into her stomach. She deleted her message and began to type a very demure response. An apology. She begged him not to break up with her. She couldn’t lose him, couldn’t lose the security he provided. With her job, she would not be able to afford rent anywhere else. She promised never to go through his things again.
Smash!
A sudden jolt rocked her small car. Her head jerked up, and her phone fell into the passenger seat, the message abandoned. She had rear-ended a large black SUV.
Was her insurance even paid? She couldn’t afford to fix her car right now. The black SUV pulled over to the side of the road, turning on its hazard lights as it waited for her to follow suit. She followed suit. She dreaded the conversation about to come. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. She did not want to appear weak or cry. Not in front of a stranger.
A man stepped out of the SUV. He approached her car with an intimidating scowl. Lainey felt like her heart stopped beating in that moment, in spite of the adrenaline rushing through her system. He was an older gentleman, early fifties, with salt and pepper hair and a well-manicured beard. He looked like a businessman, dressed in fine slacks and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The man's muscular forearms were dusted with dark hair. His muscles should have intimidated her, but it was the angry look on his face that caused her real fear.
Elliot tried to reign in his anger. This little lady looked like she was in shock. Her mouth hung open like a guppy, her large blue eyes watched him with concern, but she did not appear injured. The small fender bender was not enough to do much more damage than a scratch, and by the state of her car, she was used to hitting immobile objects.
Dings and scratches covered nearly every inch of the small car, and was that duct tape holding her headlight in place? The inside of the vehicle was not in much better shape. The backseat was filled with discarded coffee cups, food containers, clothes, and random household objects that hand been tossed in the back and clearly forgotten about. This girl was sorely in need of a keeper.
Elliot crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her to step outside. When she made no move, he tapped his knuckle hard on the window indicating that she should roll it down. As if waking from a haze she jumped into action, opening the car door, but failing to put the car in park it drifted forward knocking into the back of his SUV a second time. He cringed at the awful sound. The girl’s face turned bright red. She slammed the car into park and jumped out to assess the damage.
“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’ll pay for the damages,” she pleaded with him. Her blue eyes flooded with tears that threatened to break free. She wore a stained coffee shop uniform. The poor girl probably didn’t have much in the way of money. He held up his hand to silence her, but she kept rambling. “I don’t think there’s any real damage. Your car looks pretty sturdy-.”
“Stop.” He used his most commanding voice. The girl quieted instantly, her fingers went to her mouth to chew on her fingernails in an act of self-comfort. “What is your name?” He asked, dropping his voice down, making it more gentle.
The girl did not answer. She was shaking like a leaf. “I asked you a question, young lady. I expect an answer.”
“Ummm… Lainey.
“Relax Little Lainey. There doesn’t seem to be any damage to my vehicle, but I am concerned about you. What caused you to hit me? I was stopped at the light? My tail lights are functioning? Were you paying attention?” His eyes fell on the discarded cell phone sitting on her passenger seat. It’s screen displaying a sea of text messages.
“I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t see you.” Lainey shied away from the truth.
He made a low grumbling noise. His eyes narrowed on her.
“You shouldn’t lie, young lady. Tell me the truth. Were you texting and driving?”
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” Lainey did not like being scolded for her bad behavior. Guilt gnawed its way into her stomach. This man was an imposing figure. He looked down at her like a judge ready to pass down a severe sentence.
“I know it won’t happen again, Lainey.” His calmness set her on edge. He closed the distance between them, freeing her finger from between her teeth. His large warm hand wrapped around hers, making her feel smaller than she was. “I’m going to ensure it will never happen again.” Her brows came together in a scowl.