Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

As she drew closer, she could see there was a light burning in the main living room. She knocked loudly. She just hoped they were all dressed, unlike last time when she’d walked in to find Maddox streaking his way through the living room. Of course, she’d been the only one embarrassed by that. He’d stopped as soon as he’d seen her, then just stood there in all his naked glory and grinned at her.

She pushed the door open slowly, while keeping one hand over her eyes. She called out, but there was no reply.

Damn it, what was she going to do? She couldn’t just leave Jaret at the 7-Eleven. But she had no way of reaching anyone but West. And he was no help. Anger at Alec filled her as she made her way back into the mudroom. This was all his fault, if he’d given her everyone’s number then she wouldn’t be in this predicament.

She made her way back to the main house and as she put the flashlight back on the shelf, she looked at the keys hanging there. She could take one of the ranch trucks. She bit her lip. Alec would kill her if she left the ranch. But she’d only go to Freestown, pick up Jaret and then drive home. Maybe he wouldn’t even know. She wouldn’t get out of the truck and she’d wear a hoodie. No one would see her.

Trying to ignore the voice screaming at her that this was a bad fucking idea, she snatched up a set of keys.

And if Alec did find out, well, she’d just point out how it was all his fault.

Yep, there was a failproof plan if ever she’d had one.

It was a really stupid idea.

She knew it was. And yet as she approached the gates at the end of the driveway, she knew she wasn’t going to turn back. Shit. What if she needed a code to get out? But, as she got closer, the gates opened automatically.

Okay. That was cool.

Alec was going to flip when he found out. What if he kicked her off the ranch? She was breaking one of his precious rules, after all. She tightened her hands around the steering wheel. But what kind of a friend would she be if she didn’t try to help Jaret? He was one of the few friends she had.

“Stupid. Stupid.”

Her only hope was that Alec wouldn’t find out. She wasn’t sure of the likelihood of that, considering Alec seemed to know everything. She turned right, towards Freestown. Luckily, that’s the way she and Mike had come, so she knew where she was going.

She still took a couple of wrong turns, but gradually made her way to Freestown. It had taken about an hour. Jesus, she hoped Jaret was still at the 7-Eleven. Luckily, it wasn’t a big city. She drove through the main shopping district, searching for the green and red sign. Damn it, she should have asked for better directions. After about fifteen minutes of driving around, she

spotted one on the corner and quickly pulled into the lot.

But he didn’t appear.

Had he gone? Was he still there? She bit at her lip and pulled her hood close, draping it around her face. There was no choice, she was going to have to get out and look for him. She got out of the truck.

Where the hell was he? She made her way into the store and the relief she felt as she spotted him made her feel a little light-headed.

“Jaret!” She stormed over to him.

He turned away from where he’d been perusing the slushies. “Hey there, darlin’. What are you doin’ here?”

“I’m here to get you.” She smacked him on the arm, then pulled her hand back shocked at herself. She never hit people.

“Oh, you weren’t s’pposed to come. Alec’s gonna have kittens.”

“Well, I couldn’t find anyone else, so I was your only option.”

“What kind of slushy should I get?”

Was he kidding her?

She grabbed his arm and tugged. “Jaret, we have to go. I’ll whip you up something when we get home.”

“Whoop!” He turned and placed his arm over her shoulders, leaning so much of his weight on her that she stumbled. He managed to pull the hood off her face as he helped her stand.

“Damn it, Jaret.”

“Sorry, darlin’. Bit unsteady on my feet.”

She sighed and left the hood down as she helped him out to the truck.