The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58

“Fuck. The word came out strangled, barely audible over the sound of traffic. I gripped the steering wheel, pressing my forehead against it.

A tangle of emotions churned in my chest–anger, regret, jealousy, something that felt uncomfortably like grief.

I couldn’t sort through them, couldn’t name what I was feeling.

It was all just… too messy.

I straightened, running a hand through my hair, and that’s when I saw it.

Hanging from my rearview mirror was a small charm–a silver compass, no bigger than a quarter. Emma had given it to me months ago, after Id complained about having no sense of direction.

“So you’ll always find your way home,” she’d said, her eyes bright.

For a moment, I could almost feel it again–that warmth that used to fill my chest when she looked at me like that.

We’d been happy then. I knew we had been.

My phone buzzed. A text from Tom: Dude, where are you? Thought we were meeting at Sullivan’s?

Right. I was supposed to meet him for drinks.

I stared at the compass, watching it catch the light, and felt something crack open in my chest.

I grabbed my phone and typed out a response to Tom: Change of plans. Meet me at the track instead.

His reply came seconds later: The racing club? Everything okay?

Yeah. Just need to drive.

I pulled back into traffic, heading toward the private racing club on the outskirts of the city. It was members–only, full of guys like me–rich kids with fast

cars and too much time on their hands.

I hadn’t been for a long time. So long that I’d almost forgotten the reason–Emma used to worry. Every time I mentioned going to the track, she d get this

look on her face, concerned and anxious.

‘Please be careful, she’d say, her fingers tightening around mine. “I know you’re a good driver, but still…”

The memory made my jaw clench. Made everything feel even more tangled and wrong.

Fuck. I pressed harder on the gas.

The sun was starting to set by the time I pulled into the club’s parking lot. Tom’s BMW was already there, parked near the entrance. I found him in the lounge, nursing a beer and talking to a couple of other guys I vaguely recognized from school.

‘Finally. Tom stood, gesturing to the track visible through the windows. “Thought you d bailed. What’s going on? You look like hell.”

3:24 am

Chapter 58

PP

I’m fine. I headed for the door that led to the track. Just need to clear my head.”

Tom followed, his expression concerned. This about Emma? Did you find

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Nick-

‘I said I don’t want to talk about it. I rounded on him, and he held up his hands.

“Okay, okay. Jesus. He paused. “But if you need to, you know, after a few runs…”

I didn’t answer. Just grabbed a helmet and headed for my car.

The first lap, I pushed the car hard. Harder than I should have, taking corners too fast, feeling the wheels fight for traction. The second lap, I pushed harder

still.

By the third, my hands had stopped shaking.

But I couldn’t get rid of the image of that ring, glinting in the afternoon sun. Or the sound of Emma’s voice, quiet and cold: You’re unbelievable.

I was.

I really, truly was.

And the worst part? The thing I couldn’t admit to Tom or anyone else?

I’d been about to tell her I still loved her. Right before I saw that ring. The words had been on the tip of my tongue: I miss you. I was an idiot. Please come

back.

Thank God I’d kept my mouth shut.

At least I’d saved myself that humiliation.

Comments

R Visitor

this guy’s is so full of himself

7 days ago

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Chapter 58

‘I’m fine. I headed for the door that led to the track. Just need to clear my head.

Tom followed, his expression concerned. This about Emma? Did you find

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