Chapter 67 Might Not Get Another Chance After This
But regret came too late now.
Quade looked like he wanted to cry, but all he could do was nod and agree to Evelyn’s proposal.
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After all, he couldn’t just stand by and watch Philip’s wounds get worse because no one was keeping an eye on him.
And Evelyn clearly didn’t trust Philip to train alone.
What choice did he have?
He’d dug his own grave, and now he had to lie in it.
“I’ll come back around six this evening to watch him train. Right now, I need to see my grandpa. You get some rest.”
After saying that, Evelyn packed up her thermos and left.
“Alright, I’ll see you then,” Philip nodded.
Quade mumbled miserably, “See you, Boss Lady.”
At that moment, more than anything, he wished he’d never have to see her again–because that would mean no evening drills.
Leaving campus, Evelyn flagged a cab outside the university gates, heading toward the Brookhaven Quarters.
That’s when a horn blared–so close and sudden she jumped.
She turned and saw Austin leaning out of a beat–up pickup truck.
Gone was his usual thug getup. Today he wore a white shirt and jeans, his hair cut short. But the cocky, devil–may–care swagger on his face? That hadn’t gone anywhere.
“What do you want?” Evelyn asked warily.
Every time she ran into Austin, nothing good followed.
But Austin’s eyes weren’t on her. They were fixed on the thermos in her hands. His brow furrowed. “You heading in there?”
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Chapter 67 Might Not Get Another Chance After This
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“I’m bringing chicken soup to my grandpa. Move it, you’re blocking my cab,” Evelyn said bluntly.
He’d seen her grandpa once outside the pharmacy, so she didn’t bother hiding it.
The next second, Austin swung his door open and jerked his head toward the passenger side, “Cabs cost too much. I’ll drive you.”
Hell no.
The memory of the last time she’d gotten into his truck–hauled off without explanation, then dumped on the roadside–was burned into her brain. Once was more than enough.
“Get in. Last time was on me, I admit it. I’m sorry. This time I’ll take you straight there. If I don’t, I may not get another chance,” Austin said.
That last line snagged her attention.
What did he mean, no more chances?
She opened her mouth to ask, but his expression turned pleading. “I swear, just a ride. That’s it. The kids at the arcade told me about your ex, Seth. I’m sorry I dragged you into that mess. But that coward deserved the beating. If I had the chance, I’d do it again.”
He wasn’t wrong–Seth’s words that day had been vile.
Evelyn hesitated. That’s when Austin made the decision for her–he climbed out and nudged her into the passenger seat.
He then hit the gas pedal hard. Now there was no backing out.
Still, his strange mix of apology and that weird line about “no more chances” had dulled her
urge to escape.
As she buckled in, she shot him a look. “Why’d you say you won’t get another chance to drive me? Did you lose your license for reckless driving or something?”
“Of course not.” Austin shook his head.
That was a relief. At least she didn’t have to worry about him driving illegally,
Even in 1983, when traffic laws weren’t strict, basic road safety still mattered.
But then Austin grinned and said, “Driver’s license? What’s that? Never heard of it.
Her blood ran cold. So he didn’t even have one–how could it be revoked?
Chapter 67 Might Not Get Another Chance After This
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She gripped the handle, voice sharp. “Stop the truck! Austin, this is against the law–pull over right now!”
Instead of slowing, he pressed harder on the gas.
Just before her face went white, he chuckled. “Relax, I’m kidding. I’m a law–abiding citizen.”
That cocky grin made her want to scream.
She must’ve been out of her mind to believe a word he said.
Why did she even believe a word out of his mouth?
“Why don’t you ask me why I said it’ll be the last time I drive you?” Austin teased.
Did she really need to?
Once was humiliation enough.
Her face hardened. “Cut the crap and drive. Lunch hour’s coming up.”
After that, silence filled the truck.
They didn’t speak again until they reached the gates of the Brookhaven Quarters.
“Stop here. Thanks for the ride. Goodbye.” Evelyn said, climbing out with the thermos.
She had already walked a good distance before Austin stepped out and called after her. “Evelyn.”
She turned. “What is it?”
“I really won’t be able to drive you again. Not for a long time,” Austin said.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, clearly showing distrust. “Why not?”
“I hurt someone.”
She frowned. She was even more confused now.
For a street punk like him, wasn’t that normal?
“If I remember right, the first time we met, you stabbed me. And you didn’t exactly get punished for that.”
Austin let out a short laugh.
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“Didn’t I? I fell for you. You shot me down. Heartbreak–that’s punishment enough.”
He said it dead serious, eyes burning into hers like twin stars in the night.
Evelyn bristled.
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“Austin, quit with this nonsense. Right now, we can still talk. Push it any further and even that’ll be gone.”
She turned and strode into the compound, refusing to look back.
Austin stayed where he was, raising a hand to wave at her retreating figure.
“I meant it. I hurt someone badly. It’s worse than the time I cut you.” His voice carried only a few feet before the wind shredded it.
After a pause, he added, “And I meant it when I said I love you.”
Standing outside the gates, the cocky boy suddenly looked lost, like a child without a home. His eyes were clouded with confusion.
Half an hour later, he finally dragged himself back into the truck and headed toward the retirement home on the outskirts.
It wasn’t the worst thing. At least he’d seen Evelyn before they locked him away. That memory would carry him through.
He’d wait it out, keep his head down, and when he got out–he’d tell her again, face to face, that he truly meant it.
With that vow, Austin’s mood lightened. His foot pressed harder on the gas, the truck flying down the asphalt road.
48
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Reborn for Love and Revenge
