Chapter 6: Dreams Are For Losers.

Audrey.

“Are you okay?”

I didn't realize Xavier had come down from the car until I hear his voice behind me. I nod and turn to face him, annoyed when I see the look of concern on his face.

He goes to get the bottle of water he had bought earlier and opens it, extending it to me. Rinsing my mouth, I avoid eye contact with him.

“Are you upset with me?” He asks.

“Does it matter?” I bite back angrily, still not looking at him. “You're leaving anyway.”

He doesn't speak after that. Once I'm sure my mouth is clean, I hand the bottle back to him and make my way to the passenger seat to grab my box of muffins.

As I walk towards the Golden Bar, I stop. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

Not waiting for a reply, I continue walking. He doesn't try to stop me and that hurts a lot. I can feel tears in my eyes but I don't let them fall and I don't turn back.

I keep walking until I disappear around the back of the building, using the small door to slip into the bar.

It isn't until I make my way upstairs to the attic—which also doubles as my bedroom—that I hear the sound of his car driving away.

I crumple on the bed, the tears I was holding at bay finally rushing down my face in torrents. So much for having nothing to lose.

After exhausting all my tears, I drag myself downstairs to the staff restroom to take a shower. But no matter how hard I try to brave myself, my mind wanders to Xavier and my heart clenches over and over again.

A few minutes later, I'm done with my shower and I've changed out of last night's shapeless white dress into another clean shapeless white dress. That's all Brandon lets me wear anyway.

I didn't get much sleep last night and I would need to open up the bar in a few hours, so I need to sleep. But every time I close my eyes, all I can see is Xavier's green eyes, his perfect mouth—red and lush and soft, the masculine square of his jaw, and the strong cords of his neck.

Heat travels down my body and I whimper. These next few days will be torture. How did a man I considered rude in the beginning become my fantasy in just a matter of hours?

I'm thinking of taking another shower when I hear the sound of an engine below. My heart skips a beat. Is Brandon back already? I was hoping he'll die in a car crash or something.

Just then, I realize the engine doesn't sound like Brandon's truck. I rush to the only window in my bedroom to check who it is, but that isn't necessary.

“Audrey…” a voice calls and good heavens above, I recognize it. Why is he here though? Isn't he supposed to be driving out of Texas at the moment?

“Audrey…” he calls again and I almost trip over myself as I rush to meet him. Did he finally decide to stay?

I can hear my pulse roaring in my ear as I exit the back door and come face to face with Xavier. He is already at the door, probably guessing that was where I had entered earlier.

“Xavier…” My voice comes out breathy and I blame it on the way I ran to meet with him.

He pulls me forward and my body crashes into his hard chest as he hugs me. But instead of relaxing into the hug, my body is tense and my mind is racing.

He releases me soon after and I cringe when I see the wet patch my hair has made on his shirt.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“You're coming with me, Audrey.”

Okay, hold up. Hold up.

I thought he was going to say he had resolved the issue that needed his urgent attention and he was going to stay.

Hell, I also thought he might have wanted to say goodbye before he left. But never would I have imagined this.

“What?”

“I can't bear to leave you with him, Audrey. You're coming with me,” he repeats.

I crane my head to look at his face and I see the sincerity in his gaze. My throat tightens. This would be any lover girl's dream and as much as I want to go with him, we're still strangers.

Besides, he has no idea how dangerous Brandon is, but I do. Yes, Xavier may be rich but Brandon has both money and connections. Connections with really dangerous people.

I've seen him kill someone in front of me and I can't put Xavier in harm's way.

“You don't understand, Xavier.” I take a step back, “Brandon will find me. He always does. And believe me, when he finds me this time, he'll kill you. As much as I want to be free of him, this isn't the way.”

“I'll protect you–”

“You're not listening to me. I'm not worried about me. If he catches us, he'll just punish me but he won't kill me. I'm too important to him. But you…” My throat closes up as I turn to leave. This is just a waste of time, and yay, more heartbreak for me.

But Xavier grabs me by the elbow as I push back the door. I turn to look at him, my heart aching for us.

There's a cold indifference in his eyes though, and for the first time ever, I'm scared of what he's capable of.

“We can do this the hard way or the easy way, Audrey. All I know is that I'm not leaving you here.”

Minutes later, I watch the Golden Bar disappear as Xavier steps on the gas. I'm fuming in my seat but a small part of me is thrilled.

Apparently, we did it the hard way as Xavier threw me over his shoulder and pushed me into the car from the driver's side. Then before I could open the door and get out, he activated the child lock.

And soon, we'll be leaving Texas behind and a small part of my heart is relieved. Even if I only spend the night at Xavier's house before Brandon comes for me, it's still worth all the punishment I'll receive when he brings me back.

‘But is it worth Xavier's death?’ a small voice whispers and I suddenly feel guilty. No, it's not worth it. No matter what he says, he's a good man and he doesn't deserve his impending death.

But I warned him. And if he feels confident that he can protect me, then maybe I'm just worried over nothing.

Exhaustion sets into my bones and I yawn, sneaking a glance at Xavier as he drives. Maybe we can actually survive this.

It's not like Brandon is the President of the United States. There's no way his influence reaches all parts of the country. Right?

And just like that, I let myself dream. I let myself hope, forgetting that hope is just a waking dream. And dreams are for losers.