Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(54)

I grimaced, shaking my head. It was like going around in circles. I was supposed to be running to clear my head, not confuse myself even more.

Focusing on my breathing, I pulled in a mouthful of fresh air and slowly expelled it, zoning into the way the air moved through my lungs. I had no idea how long I'd been running for, but my body was slick with sweat and my limbs were starting to feel the ache of weariness. Reaching the end of the street, I crossed the road and started weaving my way back to the Schultz home. It felt good to have a place to return to and even though a lot of crap awaited me in the near future, once it was done, I 'd have a clean slate to work with. I'd have Zach.

I let myself smile, the feeling of his love and warmth rushing through me. The night before still sent hot tingles over my skin. Heat pooled inside me as I imagined lying with him again, re-exploring every inch of his body until I knew him better than anyone.

Picking up my pace, I sprinted past a blue SUV on the corner and arrived at Zach's letterbox, out of breath. My legs were prickling from exertion as I walked up the path and into the house.

"Hey! I'm back!" I pulled the buds from my ears and listened out for noises around the house. I heard nothing. My stomach clenched, instinct putting me on high alert as I closed the front door and crept towards the kitchen. "Zach? You home?"

My heartbeat was thrumming in my ears as I stepped onto the tiled floor. That's when I spotted the piece of paper on the counter. Snatching it up, I read the text and drooped with relief.

Hey gorgeous girl,

Sorry to not be here when you returned. AJ had a minor crisis and Jaeda and I are on rescue duty. It shouldn't take too long and I'll tell you all about it the second I get back. See you soon.

I love you.

Z.

I placed the note down with a grin. He loved me. The idea still sent a thrill shimmering through me. I was curious as to what AJ's crisis was, but the way Zach worded it made it seem pretty minor, so I shunted any unnecessary worry aside. I needed to do that more. I was so sick of feeling scared and apprehensive all the time. I wanted to feel strong and confident like Jaeda...or the girl I used to be, the one who got the lead role in the spring musical. I wanted that life back.

"No, I can't have that." I pursed my lips, then sighed. "But you can have a new life."

I glanced at the note.

A life with Zach.

I didn't need to be scared about my future, especially if he was going to be in it. He had proven to be true through all these months and so had his friends. It was time I started being a person worth fighting for.

Now that I had stopped running I had a chance to do that.

So, who did I want to be?

I unclipped my shuffle and leaned against the counter, twirling the headphone cord around my fingers.

What did I want my future to hold?

It was the first time I'd really asked myself that question. I'd never played with the idea before, because the answer would have always been, "I can't think past my next escape route." All my teenage years had been living from one exit to the next. It was time to stop and walk through an entranceway. Walk into a future that I wanted. That I had chosen for myself.

So, what did I want for myself?

My eyes skimmed back to Zach's note. I grinned. The immediate answer was a really easy one.

With a chuckle, I bit my lower lip and reached for a pen. I could think about the distant future later, but for now...

Beneath Zach's note, I wrote,

Can't wait to hear about your rescue operation.

Waiting for you in the bath.

No clothes required.

xx





L


I felt a naughty thrill as I placed the pen back in the holder by the phone, dumped my shuffle next to it and walked towards the stairs, pulling off my sweaty T-shirt as I went.





Chapter 30





ZACH





Zach slowed to a stop by the side of the road, spotting AJ's dented car up on the curb. Liesl was sitting on the pavement beside it looking pale. Her fingers were shaking as she held the phone to her ear, her large, brown eyes fixed on the road as she spoke. AJ was looming behind her, looking pissed as hell as he examined the crumpled hood of his car.

"Oh my gosh." Jaeda pushed the passenger door open with her shoulder and raced across the street.

Zach followed behind her, checking the road for traffic as he went. AJ & Liesl were both alive and he couldn't see any blood. The relief was intense. His thoughts flashed to Uncle Alex and Elliot on their way to Frisco. With the precious cargo they were carrying, he sent up a quick prayer for their safe arrival.

"Are you guys okay?" He ran to AJ's side while Jaeda sat down beside Liesl. She wrapped her arm around her friend as Liesl tucked the phone into her pocket. She laid her head against Jaeda's shoulder and sniffed.

"What happened?" Zach stepped up beside AJ, crouching down to look at the damage.

"This stupid ass SUV just drove straight through that stop sign." He pointed across the intersection. "I had to swerve to miss him and ended up plowing into this stupid street lamp."

Zach looked through the cracked windscreen at the ballooning air bags.

"Are you hurt?" He patted AJ on the shoulder.

"My ribs are a little sore from the seatbelt, but I'm okay. I want to get Lisel checked out at the hospital though."