Free Love Ahead: Expect Delays by Astrid Amara Page B

glanced up to see if Dave noticed Austin’s phone ringing, but Dave was
    still preoccupied with filling the tank. But then he glanced down and made eye
    contact. He reached for the gun, and Zach stared straight ahead.
    Fuck. Why the hell had Austin chosen AC/DC as Zach’s ringtone?
    Zach shook his head. That wasn’t important right now. What was more
    pressing was the fact that Austin didn’t have his phone with him, which meant
    there had been no way for him to get help. He had to be dead by now.
    Before he lost his nerve completely, Zach dialed 911 on the cell, turned the
    volume to low, and dropped it into the well under his seat.

    * * *
It had taken Austin less than half an hour to catch up to the Geo Spectrum
    rumbling along Interstate 25 at a slow but steady thirty miles per hour.
    Austin had to speed to reach them, and the Lincoln didn’t have chains. Several
    times the car slid, but he remained calm and avoided fishtailing his way out of each
    slip. It was reckless driving that he’d never condone in any other circumstance. But
    Zach’s life was in danger, and it was all Austin’s fault.
    Austin slammed his palm against the steering wheel. What kind of fucking
    idiot picked up a strange man on a highway at midnight? Austin’s confidence in his
    strength was worth nothing against a loaded weapon. And now Zach was paying for
    Austin’s stupidity.
    When Austin finally spotted the Spectrum, he moved close enough to make
    certain there were still two people in the car; then he backed far enough away to

    Love Ahead: Expect Delays

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    allow a sizable and safe gap between cars and to make sure Dave could only see
    headlights and not the make of Austin’s vehicle.
    They didn’t stop for over an hour. Austin’s gas tank was low, and there was a
    chance he’d have to abandon the chase and pull over at a station to alert the
    authorities if they didn’t fill up soon.
    Luckily, shortly after they turned off I-25, the Spectrum pulled onto a service
    road and into a truck stop.
    Austin parked the Lincoln to the side of the minimart. He couldn’t fill up the
    car, since his wallet was in the Spectrum. He remained in shadow, where he could
    keep an eye on Zach and Dave. He rifled once more through the belongings but
    found nothing that could be used as a weapon.
    Zach stayed in the car. Austin watched Dave fill the tank. Loathing crawled
    over Austin. He wanted to kill that man.
    The entire drive Austin had been imagining what his life would be like without
    Zach around. The strength of horror that filled him answered any lingering
    questions he had about the depth of his feelings toward Zach.
    Without Zach’s smile, his optimism and romantic spirit and humor and
    affection, Austin’s life would be bleak at best. He hadn’t realized how addicted he’d
    become to the relaxed happiness he felt when Zach was with him, but it had
    happened. He loved Zach and couldn’t bear returning to a life without him.
    Austin popped the trunk and stepped out of the car. He quickly searched the
    trunk, glancing up frequently to make sure Zach and Dave weren’t about to drive off
    without him. In the trunk of the Lincoln, he found a spare tire and short but heavy
    crowbar. He shut the trunk and stood beside the car, at the ready. The snow fell
    lightly now. The bulk of the storm had passed farther north, but it was still only a
    degree or two above freezing, and within seconds Austin started shaking again.
    Dave finished filling the tank, then opened the driver’s-side door. He forcefully
    yanked Zach out of the car.
    Alarm rushed through Austin.

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    Astrid Amara

    Austin couldn’t hear what Dave said, but Zach’s expression instantly dulled,
    and he walked forward, Dave following a step behind. Terror seized Austin. He’s
    going to shoot Zach . As the men passed under the station lights, Austin saw the
    bruises on Zach’s face, his bloody nose and red-rimmed eyes, and the tumult of fear
    in Austin’s heart went