“They seemed normal at first. Men playing pool and a few people playing darts, but then I saw two people having sex out in the open on the couch.” I wince at the flashback. “Then someone playing darts used a knife instead of a dart to win. It was crazy how good his accuracy was... kind of scary.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “You’re so lucky... I want to go so bad.”
There’s such yearning in her voice that I cock my head. “Then why don’t you?”
“I’ve never been, and I’m not willing to take the risk of being kicked out. That’s why I created your profile. Axle didn’t accept my request on the dating app, so I hoped he would accept you and you’d be my in. Did you talk to any of the other bikers or...?”
So, she used me. “I met most of them. The MC men look intimidating but seem surprisingly nice and down-to-earth.” Well... most of them.
I step over to the closest table and start wiping it down, then flinch when I remember what happened in the morning.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her curiosity obvious.
I blow out a long, drawn-out breath through my mouth. “In the morning after I woke up, I went to get some water?—”
With wide eyes she cuts me off. “Did you have sex with him?”
“No,” I clip out.
I open my mouth to speak, but she’s not finished. “Why not? You’re not going to keep him around by teasing him. He’ll get sick of that in no time.”
Frustration claws at me. “I told him I’m not going to have sex with him. He already knows how I feel about it.” I know he’s a biker, but not everything’s about sex...or is it?I shake my head, dismissing the thought.
“As I was saying, when I woke up, I went downstairs to get some water. They must have had a party after we went to bed. Some people were still awake, though none of them had the War Brothers MC vests on. One guy grabbed me, trying to get me to dance, but when I said no, he wouldn’t listen. Axle saw it, ran down the stairs, tackled the guy, and started punching him.” Thinking back to the blood splattering makes me flinch.
“Oh wow. I wish a guy came to my defense like that.”
I tilt my head. Is she even listening to me? “Axle was hurting the guy... because he touched me.” A sliver of guilt pierces me.
She subtly rolls her eyes. “You were staying at a clubhouse full of bikers and people that like to party... What did you expect to happen if Axle saw you were getting hit on or hurt by a stranger? I think it’s hot he came to defend you.”
“I guess.” He’s a biker. He won’t act like the people I’m used to being with, and I know that if I’m going to spend time with him, I need to make peace with that. But I still won’t condone punching the guy.
After I finish cleaning, I get ready to leave. “Elena.” Cameron is waving me over from a hallway at the rear of the kitchen.
I walk in his direction. I’ve never been in this part of the restaurant. I see a room off the hallway to the right. An unsettling sensation begins to grow in my stomach. I pause at the door and look around the office.
Cameron is sitting behind his desk. He gestures at the chair opposite him, so I take a seat.
“How are you doing? Are you enjoying working here?”
I smile. “Yes, I’m learning new things on every shift.” I’m proud that I haven’t dropped any more trays of food and drink. It must be a new record for me. “The tips are great.” So much better than my last job. “While we’re here... would it be possible to take tonight off?” I need a break, and it would be great to relax and not have to worry about work.
He gives me a leisurely nod. “I can’t see why not. Why don’t you have tomorrow off too, since you’ve been working hard?”
Staying in pajamas all day to relax or exploring the town both sound great. “Thank you,” I reply happily.
“Why don’t you come out with me, Lucy, and our group of friends instead? You’ll enjoy yourself.”
And there it is...
“We’re always at the beach, hanging out, going to parties. Before you say anything—it’s just people our age hanging out, listening to music, and having a few drinks. You’ll like it.”
This time I force a smile. I’m sure he’s just trying to be nice, but he keeps asking me, and it’s starting to feel a little pushy. My smile might mask the slight discomfort I’m feeling, but it doesn’t change the fact that his persistence is starting to wear on me.
“Just have a think about it.”
“I will,” I say and stand, striding to the door and into the hallway.
