Gentry's Chance

Chapter 21. Stay Away From Me

Taytum's POV

Thanksgiving has passed. I wound up spending it with Aunt Laura. We had a family get together in Nashville at my grandmother's house. It was nice seeing my grandma. Chance and I haven't seen each other much lately. Things have been crazy for both of us. I think it's mostly the holidays.

Chance said he had to work the weekend so I'm going to Nashville with my Aunt Laura. We're staying in some fancy hotel that she stays at when she isn't home. Her work usually pays for it. She wants me to spend the weekend with her. She doesn't think she'll be pulled away from me too much.

"How about a movie tonight?" Laura asks as we eat our lunch.

"Yeah sounds good," I smile. 

The hotel suite is really nice. Just as we get done eating her pager goes off. She checks it. "Shit," She mutters under her breath.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

"There is an emergency at work. I have to go, honey," She sighs. "If for some reason I'm not back at seven o clock here is money for the movie and cab. I think you should go don't wait for me, okay?" 

"Yeah, okay," I say trying to hide the sadness. I was looking forward to spending time with her. From the looks of things though she isn't going to be here most of the weekend anyway. 

When she leaves I decide to text Chance to see how late he works.

Me: How late are you working?

Chance: Probably midnight or three. Why?

I sigh in disappointment.

Me: Nevermind.

Chance: Everything okay?

Me: Everyone is just busy this weekend and it sucks. 

Chance: Well I won't be busy tomorrow night. We'll figure something out.

I don't respond to his text instead I lie down on the bed and stare up at the ceiling. Chance actually has no idea I'm in Nashville which is where he works too. If I'd know I was going to be bored here I would have stayed home and be bored there instead. After pouting for a bit I decide to get up and shower. The shower in the hotel is unbelievable. It takes me forever to get out of the shower.

When I finally get my hair blow-dried I leave it down in its normal disarray of curls and waves. I put on some makeup and get dressed in a short skirt and crop top. Aunt Laura is taking me home tomorrow. She had picked me up so I don't have a car.

When I flag down a taxi I slide in and tell him which theater to take me too. I stare around the site of Nashville. The city is so beautiful and breathtaking. Once I get out of the taxi I head into the theater. The theater is packed. The movie is a romantic comedy so there are a lot of couples. Seeing all these girls with their boyfriends really makes me miss Chance. 

It's not like Chance and I are official so I don't really have any reason to pout. When I get into the theater with my popcorn in soda I sit in the back. Most people are sitting in the middle or front. There is nobody around me so I can pout in peace. My phone vibrates. I quickly check it before the movie starts.

Chance: I'll make it up to you baby. I hope to see you soon. I miss you. 

Me: Miss you too.

I love it when he says little things like that to me, but it's so distracting. It's now difficult to even focus on the movie. Throughout most of the movie, all I think about is Chance. When the movie finally ends I get out of my seat and head out to the street. There is several taxis I try to flag down but missed them all. Damn.

Everyone begins to scatter from the theater. I start heading up the street, but suddenly hands grab me. One of the hands go over my mouth and the other hand goes around my waist. I scream but it's muffled by his hand. The person pulls me into the alleyway. 

He presses me up against a wall. "Such a sweet little thing," He purrs. He attempts to spread my legs with his knees. 

"P-please stop I have money I'll give it to you just-" He cuts me off by slapping me. Anger boils inside me. There is no way in hell I'm getting raped again. I knee the man between the legs and bring his face hard down onto my knee. I intertwine my hands together and bring them hard down onto his back. The man falls to the ground groaning in pain. As I'm sprinting from the alleyway I see him chasing after me. 

I sprint out into traffic there is a car coming. The car slams on the breaks stopping just a few feet in front of me with the creep coming up behind me. It's not a car I recognize. To my astonishment Chance get's out of the car. 

Before the man can grab me Chance pushes me behind him and punches the man in the face. Chance pushes the guy away. The guy falls down onto the sidewalk. "Taytum," Chance gasps in shock as he turns to face me. My own face is horror-struck. "Fuck, get in the damn car!" He growls.  I do as he says and he gets into the car. We peel away speeding through traffic.

"What is this car? Where is your car?" I ask. "I thought you were working?"

"I am," He mutters darkly. We pull down a dimly lit street to a mechanic shop. There are several new cars parked in the garage that he pulls into. There are several men taking the cars apart. "You don't say a fucking word. Do you understand me?" He says in a serious tone.

"Okay?" I squeak. 

Chance and I get out of the car. Everyone straightens up and looks at Chance and me in shock. "Who is she Chance?" A man comes out of the office. He is clearly angry that I'm here.

"Um..." Chance trails off and looks back at me. "She's my girl," He sighs. "I ran into her on the way. I'm just going to get her home quick."

"You do that," The boss narrows his eyes at Chance. 

Chance grabs my arm and pulls me out of the garage. "What- where are we going?" I gasp. He pushes me toward the passenger side of his car and walks to the driver's side. 

We get down into the car. "What in the fuck are  you doing wandering around Nashville at night alone?!" Chance booms. 

"I'm staying with Laura at a hotel. We were supposed to go to a movie but she had to work. What the fuck were you doing? What kind of job is that? Your boss-"

"Is probably going to fucking kill me thanks to you!" Chance spits. "You forget everything you fucking saw Taytum."

"What did I just see Chance?" I growl.

"None of your business, Taytum. It's dangerous sticking your nose where it doesn't belong trust me," Chance hisses.

I shake my head in shock. "You're a fucking car thief aren't you?" 

He pinches the bridge of his nose in agitation. "Enough, Taytum."

"What kind of job is that?!" I screech throwing my hands in the air. "Do you know how much time you could do if you get caught?!" 

"I'm not going to get caught! You are going to keep your fucking mouth shut about this shit!" He booms. I sink back into my seat in frustration crossing my arms over my chest.

We don't speak again for the rest of the ride. Chance pulls up to the hotel and waits for me to get out. I'm half out of the car before I stop and turn to look at him. "I won't tell," I murmur. "It just makes me wonder what else I don't know about you. Your felonies are just piling up. I'm not going to have any part of it. Stay away from me," I mutter.

"Tay," He starts but I jump out of the car and slam the door.