Turning down the volume of my car stereo, I glance over at Carmen. “I need gas.”
She groans. “We’re gonna be late. You know Ramona hates when she has to wait.”
“Big deal. It’s only a nail appointment. Besides, this will only take a couple of minutes.” I turn into the gas station on the edge of town near the interstate by Carmen’s. Her parents’ house is on the other side of town from mine and picking her up has already made us late.
Pulling up at the pump, I get out, and I notice the two motorcycles parked at the pumps on the other side from mine. My eyes hit the patches on their backs.
Saint’s Outlaws.
My heart stops.
“Luisa, hurry up,” Carmen calls out the window.
At the sound of my name, one of them turns, and Blue and I lock eyes. My heart skips a beat, and for a long moment all I can do is stare at him like the rest of the world has disappeared.
Carmen reaches over and toots the horn. “Come on.”
I fumble with my wallet, and my credit card falls to the ground. Before I can stoop to pick it up, Blue is there, retrieving it for me.
He holds it out to me. “Put that away.”
I take the card and stare at him, a lump in my throat and my pulse pounding.
Blue digs in his pocket and slides his own card down the slot, then takes the nozzle and pumps my gas for me.
My gaze flicks to Carmen in the passenger seat, and she gives me a wide-eyed stare, then mouths the words, “He’s hot.”
I fumble with my wallet and jam it back in my purse.
Blue doesn’t say another word until the pump stops, and he returns the nozzle to the holder and screws my cap back on. Then he tips his head.
“Drive safe, darlin’.”
I get behind the wheel, and Carmen grabs my arm.
“Oh, my God. That guy was gorgeous. Wasn’t he the one who danced with you at your sister’s wedding?”
I nod.
“What did he say to you?”
“Not much, just told me to drive safe.” I hesitate to start the ignition, instead staring at Blue. He finishes pumping his own gas, and his friend comes over and talks with him about something.
A commotion near the entrance to the convenience store draws my attention.
A man hauls a woman by the arm toward a pickup truck parked in one of the spaces. He shoves her against the side and starts yelling at her.
“You fucking bitch. When I say get in the truck, I mean it.” He slams his hand against her head, banging it against the window.
“Oh, my God,” Carmen whispers. “We should do something.”
Before either of us can respond, we see Blue and his club brother stalking toward them.
Blue grabs the guy's arm just as he’s about to hit the woman again. He flings the guy around and punches him in the face. The man falls against his truck. Blue hits him again.
“How’s that feel, motherfucker? You like being a goddamn punching bag?”
The man holds his hands up but makes no move to fight back.
