The Reckless Collision

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Same. I'm a lone wolf," I replied, forcing a laugh. It sounded fake even to me. Do better, Sam.

"I thought maybe you'd found someone," he said. "I saw your photos on Instagram."

My heart skipped, but I was ready for this. "Oh, that. I met a woman who was also traveling alone. We took pictures of each other," I said casually. "Why aren't you sleeping? Isn't it, like, four in the morning in Los Angeles?" I quickly diverted the topic.

"My job's keeping me up," Scott explained, but there was noise in the background that I couldn't quite place. "That's why I called. Since I'm awake—when are you coming back?"

"To Los Angeles?" I asked, and he hummed in affirmation. "I don't know. I'm visiting my family in New York first," I said, keeping my tone light.

The phone call with Scott ended sooner than I expected, though we'd exchanged enough pleasantries to fill the silence. My potato dumplings had grown cold, but I was starving, so I didn't care. I scooped up a bite, the vital flavor comforting me as I finished my meal. Then, I set off to explore more of Frankfurt.

My first stop was the Alte Oper Frankfurt. I didn't go inside, but the building's structure alone was enough to make my jaw drop. It looked like something out of a postcard, all grand columns and intricate stonework. I lingered around the perimeter, admiring the impressive architecture, and snapped a few photos to send to Ray later. I loved how the light hit the old stone, giving it a timeless shine.

After that, I headed to the Caricatura Museum, where I spent way more time than I had planned. The quirky sculptures and satirical art had me laughing more than I'd expected. A good joke always brightens my day, and this place didn't disappoint. I took loads of pictures—Ray would love some of these, and I couldn't wait to post a few on Instagram too. My mind wandered a bit as I stood there, thinking about how he'd appreciate this little escape from the usual tour life.

By the time I finished, I was eager to head back. I popped by the bus to change into something more suitable for the night, doing a quick touch-up on my makeup before heading to the club. The venue wasn't huge, and I immediately noticed the crowd was smaller than I'd anticipated. A bit of a relief, honestly. I grabbed a glass of juice to quench my thirst, leaned back against the bar, and waited for the show to start.

I hadn't seen any of the guys yet, but they soon appeared on stage. As Purple Rain began their set, I found myself moving toward the crowd, gravitating closer to the action. The moment the lights hit him, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Ray. There was something magnetic about him at that moment, like the whole world just faded away.

The crowd packed tightly around me, swaying and dancing to the rhythm. I felt someone behind me, pressing a little too close, but I brushed it off. Everyone was so packed in—what was the harm? But then, I felt it. A hand, rough and deliberate, sliding up my bare thigh, then under my skirt.

The anger hit me in a flash. It wasn't my fault for wearing a short dress—it was his fault for touching me without permission.

I spun around, locking eyes with the man behind me. He had long, greasy hair and a foggy, vacant look in his eyes. His smile was crooked, revealing a missing tooth. He didn't seem to register the danger in the way I was staring at him. His gaze flickered down to my chest and then back up to my face.

That was the moment. I didn't hesitate. With all the strength I could muster, my curved palm cracked into his nose. The music stopped abruptly, and a murmur spread through the crowd. People turned to look, their whispers a strange mix of curiosity and excitement.

I saw Ray, James, and Andrew jumping off the stage, their faces full of concern. The crowd, already restless, surged forward as the guys tried to make their way to me. Ray's eyes found mine instantly. He froze, his gaze wide, his face unreadable in the dim light. Then, his eyes flicked to the man behind me.