Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 13

Briar

Travis was quiet for a while, sipping the coffee I had poured for him, and eating the pie quietly. Maybe I had misjudged the best way for him to come to the conclusion of helping me himself. Alex slid my bill across the bar minding her own business as she went about collecting mugs and plates to take to the kitchen. I pulled out my wallet from my bag and produced some bills. Alex went over to the cash register to ring me out and I covertly slipped a hundred under my plate. I was aware of Travis’ gaze out of his peripheral vision. His phone vibrated when he went to check it. Alex walked back with my change, I took it and thanked her. 

“Well, Briar, that’s an interesting name.” she said, glancing at my card.

I shrugged. “My daddy gave it to me.”

“Safe travels to you. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you,” she said, before Travis called for his check. I didn’t correct her. Suppose I was out of luck with Travis, he seemed ready to leave as his fingers tapped at the counter. 

“Suppose I can give you a lift to Divide, Briar; at least, to the filling station,” Travis said, looking at me with a warm smile.

“Really! I’d be so appreciative if you could. I can pay you for the lift!” I offered, trying to sound bubbly and excited.

“That isn’t necessary, it’s on the way. Doesn’t seem right to leave you here on your own when I’m headed that way anyway. Not to mention, my wife would chew me a new hole if she knew I left a young lady alone at a truckstop, full of men with unknown intentions, in the middle of the night. Alex brought his check and he slapped down a few bills telling her to keep the change. 

I gotta go get my rig. I’ll meet you here in 30 minutes. Stay away from the truckers camped out, and stay where it’s lit up ‘til I get back,” he warned.

“I'll just hop over to the convenience store and wait for you there,” I let him know. The convenience store was just next door. He nodded in agreement. When he left, Alex tossed me a wink. “Thank you,” I mouthed her, before hopping off the stool and hefting my bag up onto my shoulder. She just smiled.

I had raided that convenience store for every possible thing I could fit in my bag, because I wasn’t sure what state Uncle Jake’s house would be in when I got there. I went to wait for Travis outside of the diner. I didn’t miss the “holy shit!” when Alex found her tip, just as a blue semi without its trailer rolled up, its air brakes screeched to a stop. I hefted my heavy bag up on my shoulder and realized I had a new dilemma. Climbing up into the big rig with my broken ribs. I heard Travis climb out the other side and he came around and opened the door. I handed him my bag and I swallowed, knowing this was going to hurt. He looked at me strangely, as the sun set in the background around us.

“You gonna get in?” he asked. I nodded against my better judgement, and reached up wincing, as I pulled myself into the cab. I tried to bite back the cry of pain, but failed. I whimpered, my lips trembling as the tears fell. I felt Travis’ eyes on me for a long moment before the door slammed shut, and he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Take the glasses off, Briar. I ain’t taking you anywhere ‘til you tell me what’s going on and why you’re going to Divide, of all places.” I was too close to Divide to back out now. I looked down, pulling the glasses off my face, before peering over at him. His hands gripped the steering wheel and he swore. I was breathing through the pain in my ribs still, when he said, “I guess it’s not just your face. I looked away and shook my head no. 

He reached over and grabbed the seatbelt and buckled it for me, before doing the same for himself, then putting the truck in drive. “You sure you want to go to Divide and not a hospital?”

“I’ll be fine, it happened over a week ago,” I let him know, pushing back my hood. He glanced over at me.

“Damn it, girl, you’re lucky to be alive,” he said, swearing again. Something strained in his features.

“I know—If you don’t want to take me anymore, I understand; I’ll find another way.” He shook his head no.

“You did good getting out; my mama didn’t. She tried to leave and my Dad put her six feet under. I knew you were wearing the glasses for some reason, I just didn’t realize how bad it was,” his voice was a little choked.

“I’m sorry about your mama, thank you, for helping me,” was the only thing that came to mind to say. 

“My mama died of cancer, we grew up poor, but happy,” I found myself wanting to open up a bit. “What about your Dad?”

“I never met him, but my uncle Jake left me his place, so that’s where I’m going.”

“So you're telling me you're going to Divide, a place known for bikers and wolves, and you're just going to try to blend in? Cuz I can tell you now, that’s not gonna work,” he said, giving me a once over before returning his eyes to the road.

“I suppose once I get there, I’ll find out if I’ve got any more family around, or maybe the locals will take pity on the niece and daughter of their former inhabitants. Regardless, the place is off the beaten path aways. I’m hoping to fly under the radar till my face is presentable and take it easy for a few weeks.” I let him know my plan.

“I don’t like it, how about I give you my wife’s number, just in case? I’m on the road a lot, but if you ever need to get out of there, you call her. She will be more than willing to come get you.”

“Do me a favor though,” I said, pulling out my phone. “If anyone asks, you never met me.” He gripped the steering wheel again. 

“Just take the number, just in case. If it ain’t safe, she’ll send her brothers to whoop someone’s ass, if need be.” he insisted, so I took the number he rambled off and typed in the name Marylou, giving me his wife’s name. There were no pretenses now.  The “I don’t have a phone plea” was worthless now; anyway, he knew it was a lie. It was quiet and peaceful after that. He didn’t ask me any more questions and flipped the radio on. My body was so tired. But I wasn’t sleeping till I got to Uncle Jake’s place. Three hours later, he pulled into the fuel station and helped me out of the cab, gingerly, as I put my hood over my head and placed my glasses back on.

“Take care of yourself,” he said.

I nodded. “Thanks, again!” I called, with a wave before I started down the road. I had studied the map of the area and located Uncle Jake’s property. I still had quite the hike ahead of me and this bag had gotten heavy.