Turn Over

My phone started to light up with texts and phone calls from Jake, but I hit ignore. I’d never cut him out like this before. I could imagine the things he was thinking. The things he would say if I answered.

I needed time. And right now I needed Luke.

11

Luke

Fuck.

Alexa was terrified. I didn’t have to know her long to see every glimmer of fear reflected in her eyes. I stared ahead at the road. The only thing that broke the silence was the sound of the cold air whirring through the vents as I drove us farther outside of Austin.

It had been a fucking ambush. Cameras. Questions. We were swarmed and I felt like a damn caged lion trapped while the shots were fired.

Every time Alexa’s phone beeped she tapped the side to silence it. I could tell the calls made her anxious. I caught her scrolling through some sort of newsfeed, but I couldn’t read it while I drove.

I clicked the button on the truck to open the double gates when we reached the ranch. I heard Alexa sigh, but maybe it was a whimper. I shook my head.

“No one followed us,” I announced. I had watched the rearview mirror. The press had been on foot. No one bothered to tail us once I peeled out of the hospital’s garage.

She threw me a nervous smile. “That’s good.”

I made sure the gates locked securely behind us before we were inside the garage. Levels of security were exactly what we needed. Layers that kept Alexa safe.

I hopped from my side of the truck and walked around to the passenger side to help her down. It was a big step for her small frame.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t meant for these kind of situations. I didn’t offer comfort. I’d never been a shoulder for someone. Hell, I’d never bothered with it.

I led her inside and walked straight to the bar. If there was one thing I knew, it was what kind of whiskey helped when everything was stacked against you. I poured two rock glasses full and handed one to the shaky girl.

“Here. This will put it in perspective.” I shoved it into her hand.

“It’s the middle of the day.” Her eyes were misted.

“Trust me.”

I didn’t know shit about being a friend, but I was everyone’s drinking buddy. Getting drunk I could do. I tossed mine back and felt the welcome burn coat the inside of my throat.

Lexi sipped it while grimacing. She leaned forward to deposit the glass on the coffee table. There was still a shot’s worth she left behind.

“You need to finish that.” I nodded at her. “Go on.”

She took a solid breath and chugged. Her eyes fixated on the bottom of the tumbler.

“Good girl.” I took the empty glass from her. “How do you feel now?”

“Like I should have had some lunch first.”

Shit. I did everything backward.

“I’ve got food.” I shuffled to the kitchen to find something to feed her.

I scoured the pantry. I had chips, salsa, and more protein mix powder than could fill a vitamin store. Damn it. There were eggs in the fridge and a couple of steaks.

“How does an omelet sound?” I called from the kitchen.