“Will do. Later.”
I roll up the window and take off after he backs away from the car. I turn up the music and begin to jam out. At a stop sign notfar from the clubhouse, I notice a big SUV come up behind me. They get so close I can barely see the grill.
“Jesus Christ, there’s no reason to ride my ass,” I mutter as I take off when it’s my turn.
“The First Time” by Damiano David comes on, and I turn it up. As I sing at the top of my lungs, I forget all about the SUV. That is, until I hit town. Once again, they keep riding my ass.
I try to see what the driver looks like through the rearview mirror, but their windows are ridiculously tinted.
Weird.
My heart begins to race as my anxiety starts to spike.
Is it a coincidence that they are still following me? Are they following me intentionally? Are they with Ragged Anarchy?
“Calm down. You’re being ridiculous,” I mutter to myself.
Still, I can’t help but look in my mirrors every time I move.
My hands begin to shake.
Should I call Asher or Calloway?
Do I need backup?
Am I in danger?
Right as I start to reach for my phone, they turn off on a side street.
I take a deep breath and relax into my seat.
“Dramatic much, Aspen?” I mutter to myself.
Five minutes later, I pull up to Ashley’s house. She jumps off the porch before I even put the car in park, heading toward me.
“Excited much?” I tease as she jumps in.
“Yes! Don’t judge me.” She laughs.
“Are you excited to see your brother or what the inside of an actual clubhouse looks like?” I ask as I take off.
“Both, but mainly Asher. I used to love to surprise him, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do so.”
“Well, hopefully he likes it,” I say as I check the mirrors.
“Hey, are you okay? You’re looking a little pale.”
“I’m fine. I just didn’t get a chance to eat before I left,” I lie.
For the rest of the drive back to the clubhouse, we make idle chitchat, and as much as I try to push the shit with the SUV out of my mind, I can’t help but keep checking my mirrors.
Just in case.
ASHER
Walking into the clubhouse, I’m greeted with laughter, and it makes me freeze. Not because people are having a good time, but because I recognize that distinct laugh.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snap.
