“When will that be?” I demand. “Tomorrow? The day after? Should I just pencil you in for sometime next week?”
“I’m hanging up now,” Roman says, his voice cold. “You’re not being reasonable.”
“Don’t you dare—”
The call ends abruptly. He hung up on me. I stare at the phone in disbelief, then resist the urge to throw it across the parking lot. Instead, I yank open my car door and slide inside, slamming it shut behind me.
“Bastard,” I mutter, jamming the key into the ignition. The engine starts with a comforting purr, and I back out of the parking space, barely checking for other cars. My eyes burn with unshed tears, but I refuse to cry. Not over this. Not again.
I drive away from Sable and Silk, away from town, taking the long route home that winds past pine forests and open fields. The roads are practically empty at this time of night. My headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating patches of asphalt before disappearing behind me. Like everything else, there and then gone.
I’m about fifteen minutes from home when the car gives a strange shudder. The dashboard lights flicker, and then the engine makes a horrible grinding noise before falling silent. The car coasts for a moment before coming to a complete stop at the side of the road.
“No, no, no,” I turn the key again, but nothing happens. Not even a click. “Come on, please.”
After several more attempts, I give up and let my head fall back against the seat. After banging my head against the seatback a few times, I reach for my phone and try Roman again, but the call goes straight to voicemail. Of course it does.
“Hey,” I say after the beep, trying to keep my voice steady. “My car broke down on County Road 16, near that abandoned gas station. I… I could really use some help.” I hesitate, then add,“Please call me back,” before hanging up. Leaning my head back against my seat, I try to calculate the odds of Roman actually getting back to me before I freeze to death. They probably aren’t great.
With a curse, I grab my phone again and search for the nearest towing service. I call the number, and a sleepy-sounding dispatcher answers.
“Redbird Towing.”
“Hi,” I say, relieved that someone actually picked up. “My car broke down on County Road 16. I need a tow.”
“County Road 16?” The man sounds doubtful. “That’s pretty far out. It’ll be a while before we can get to you. Got all our trucks out on calls right now.”
My heart sinks. “How long?”
“Two, maybe three hours. It’s Friday night, ma’am. Busy with DUI tows.”
I glance at the temperature gauge. It’s dropped another degree. “I can’t wait that long. It’s freezing out here.”
“You got anyone who can come get you? We can still tow your car in the morning.”
“I—” I swallow hard. “I’m trying to reach someone.”
“Well, good luck with that. You want me to put you on the list for a tow?”
“Yes, please. For tomorrow.”
I give him my information, then end the call
I stare out the windshield at the empty road stretching before me. There are no streetlights out here, just the vast darkness of the Montana night. Already, I can feel the cold seeping into the car without the heater running. I wrap my arms around myself, cursing my choice of a lightweight dress and thin wrap. My breath is already starting to fog.
I could try to walk, but I’m miles from anywhere and wearing heels. I could try flagging down a passing car, but this road isn’texactly busy, especially at night. And the thought of getting into a stranger’s car makes me uneasy.
I try texting Roman. And then try calling him again. Nothing.
So I wait. I wait and watch the temperature gauge on my dashboard slowly drop. I wait and check my phone every few minutes, though the screen remains stubbornly blank. I wait and try to convince myself that Roman will see my messages, that he’ll come and save me before I freeze to death.
6
Chapter 6
Kayla
The cold seeps through my dress like ghostly fingers. I can’t stop shivering. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve tried Roman’s number, each call going straight to voicemail. My breath clouds in front of me, disappearing into the darkness of the car. Outside, there’s nothing but the empty road and the vast Montana night pressing against the windows. I’m completely alone.