Flirting With Destiny(57)

I knew why Lauren was afraid of him. She should dump his ass for sure. He was nothing but a small town loser—a big fish in a little pond. But I understood the dynamics of intimidation and fear. How fear kept people from doing what they should, like standing up for themselves. I used to be that way when I was bullied in high school for being a geek, when Lauren’s football boyfriend shoved me against my locker in the hall. I didn’t fault her for her actions. I just wanted her to be safe.

I was placed in the dirty back of the patrol car, on a seat riddled with black stains, smelling of anger and defeat. The door slammed shut. The last thing I saw was Chip standing on the sidewalk, a smug look on his face as he turned and walked away. Then, I focused my stare on the wire mesh of the cage inside the patrol car that separated me from the outside world. My jaw was set tight as the car pulled away.

I shot one last hopeful glance out of the patrol car as it passed the diner, checking the window seats, then the front tables in the coffee shop window as we cruised by. Finally, my eyes searched for her familiar figure in the park at the end of the main street. My chin dropped to my chest. Lauren was nowhere to be seen.