DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Ryder

I pulled the truck over on the side of the empty road. The engine idled rough for a und before I killed at My hands stayed on the wheel, knuckles white. The bar was only few miles back, but I couldn’t make self tuns around powalder sit in that dark room with neon lights and strangers anymore. I couldn’t pretend I was fine

I needed something stronger than beer

I needed to forget.

I got out, slammed the door, and walked into the nearest nightclub. The bass hit me like a wall the second stepped inde Loud. Thumping. Bodies pressed together on the dance floor. Lights flashed red and purple 1 headed straight for the bar and ordered a double whisky neat. Then another. Then a third.

lit a cigarette. Inhaled deep. The smoke burned my lungs. I exhaled slowly, watching it curl toward the ceiling

Girls noticed me fast. They always did. One slid up on my left – blonde, tight dress, heavy perfume. She leaned in close ips brushing my ear. “Buy me a drink?” she purred.

didn’t even look at her. Just took another drag. “Not tonight.”

She pouted. Tried again. Her hand slid up my arm. “Come dance with me.”

shrugged her off. “No.”

Another one came. Brunette this time. Shorter dress. She pressed her body against my side, hips swaying to the beat. “You ook lonely,” she whispered. “I can fix that.”

My jaw clenched. I stared at the amber liquid in my glass. I didn’t feel anything. Not for her. Not for any of them. My body stayed cold. Still. Unmoved.

Because all I could see was Lila.

Her wide eyes when she told me she loved me.

The way her voice cracked when she said it.

The tears on her cheeks when I yelled at her.

The way she looked at me, like I was the only thing that mattered.

I downed the rest of my drink in one swallow. The burn didn’t help. Nothing helped.

I needed her.

I needed to see her. To touch her. To tell her I was sorry. To tell her I was scared. To tell her 1-

Fuck.

I loved her too.

The realization hit me like a freight train. I shoved off the bar stool. Stumbled through the crowd. Pushed past bodies and hands that tried to pull me back. I burst out into the night air. Cold. Sharp. Real.

8:56 am P P

PPP

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*any funbled with the key tumped in Turned the ignition

Nothing

The engine coughed once Twice Then silence

“Oh hell no.” I muttered

I tried again Dead Completely dead.

I slammed my palm against the wheel. “Come on!

Nothing

I neeced her. Right now. I couldn’t wait. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe without her.

I jumped out. Flagged the first taxi I saw. The driver pulled over. I climbed in.

Take me to the ranch on County Road 17,” I said. “Fast.”

He nodded. We sped off.

The whole ride, my leg bounced. My hands clenched and unclenched. My mind raced faster than the car I pictured her ace. Her tears. Her confession. The way she looked at me, like I’d broken something inside her.

had.

And I needed to fix it.

The taxi pulled up to the house. I paid him double. Got out. The lights were on inside. Soft glow from the windows. The >orch light too.

walked up the steps. Raised my hand to knock.

Then I stopped.

Delaney might be home by now. If she answered the door… if she saw me like this… if she heard me go to Lila’s room………

No. I couldn’t risk it. So, I pulled out my phone to call Lila. But my phone was dead. Battery gone.

Shit,” I hissed.

looked up at her window. The curtains were drawn. No light inside. But I knew she was there. I could feel it

I had no choice.

I went around to the side of the house. Found the trellis under her window – old wood, sturdy enough. I gripped it. Started climbing. My boots slipped once on a loose slat. I cursed under my breath. Caught myself. Kept going. Cowboy boots weren’t made for this, but adrenaline made up for it.

I reached the window. Pushed it open quietly. Climbed inside. That was how everything happened…

She gasped against my mouth. Her hands came up to push at my chest. I didn’t let go. I kissed her harder. Tongue sweepi in. Tasting her. Claiming her. My body pressed against hers. I walked her backward until her legs hit the bed. Lowered her down. Followed her. Never breaking the kiss.

Chapter

struggled for ond ambing pushing weakly

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