Jules flashes me with an apologetic smile. “Well, we know to look for the terrific server who Chloe loves. She’s been asking about you since yesterday.”
Really?
Someone cares about me that much.
I shy away with a faint smile.
The rest of the drive is quiet, which I’m thankful for. Conversation makes me anxious. Funny, because it never had before.
When we pull up to the clubhouse, my stomach drops. To be this nervous is crazy. I don’t know Tequila except for the little time we did share together but she was kind and caring. She always made sure I was okay.
I join Charger and Jules at the front of the car, nervously toying with the side of my hair. It’s the not knowing and the anticipation. The unknown of what it’ll be like to see Tequila again. But the soul crushing thoughts seem to slow when I spot her standing at the door to the MC looking as fidgety as I am. Her smile grows with excitement, and I match her energy. Throttle, her boyfriend (or ol’ man) as they call it, is there besideher. He stands with confidence and certainty. Like a watch dog and I bet it’s reassuring and safe.
Charger and Jules disappear inside, and me and Tequila close the distance between us.
She starts first. “I practiced this all morning. On what I would say.” She lets out a nervous chuckle, me trying to control my breathing. “I’m just so happy you’re here and that you’re okay. Youareokay, right?” She turns worrisome for a second probably remembering her promise to me. A promise if I was ever in trouble—the MC would help.
“I’m getting there. And I’m doing okay.” I smile and she returns the friendly gesture. She’s just as stunning as I remember. They all are. And their kindness is what makes them even more beautiful.
“Thank God.” Her shoulders relax. “Can I give you a hug or would that be weird?”
The giggle I release surprises us both, the tiny crack in my hard exterior. I go for it first, and we end up wrapping our arms around each other so tightly it’s like we’re each other’s lifelines for the moment. Bearing the other’s pain.
It feels good, natural, and not at all odd. Hugging Tequila is like hugging a sister I never had. It’s an unfamiliar feeling but one I can get used to.
At some point, Throttle must have gone inside because we’re alone.
“Do you think about it a lot?” she asks me, on the porch of the clubhouse, while still holding onto me tightly.
“Every day,” I whisper. “But I stopped crying myself to sleep.” My heart is in my throat and before I know it, I start to cry.
Tears fall dampening Tequila’s sweater, but I don’t try to push them back. I accept the emotion. It feels good to cry like this. To have someone who understands a little of what I wentthrough. I never spoke of it until now really. And I think because of that… this cry is different. It’s a good different. Relieving.
We fall to the ground, still in each other’s embrace and we weep. Cry. Not just for ourselves but for each other. It’s cleansing despite the small twinge of pain from my scar. My mind enters a more relaxed state.
I’ve never had close friends, and I owe Tequila for giving me the ability to try to be more open about that. Being a partier, people only stuck around because you were the fun one.
When we finally let go of each other and pull away, we laugh, wiping away the tears.
“Shit. This wasn’t how I wanted this to go,” she tells me with a crying laugh.
“Me either.” I sniffle, giving my cheek another wipe using the sleeve of my sweater. “But I’m not complaining.” To be able to cry with someone who understands is an incredible relief. “I am sorry though.”
She looks confused, her brows scrunching together. “For what?”
I take in a deep breath. “For being so mean to you inside the warehouse. I think I went into defense mode.” I recall how rude I was to her when all she wanted to do was comfort me. Tell me her name. Be friends because we had no idea what would happen to us.
“Don’t ever apologize to me. You were being tortured, Danika. Being—”
“Thank you,” I cut her off not wanting her to have to finish her sentence, already knowing where it was going.
She smiles sheepishly. “It’s been a long few months, and I’m happy you’re here. Do you want to come inside? I’m not sure if you drink, but this may call for a glass of wine if you do. We don’t have anything fancy, but it does the trick.”
I don’t drink much but a glass of something to better numb the past sounds fantastic.
“I’d like that.”
We both stand and she lets out a relieved breath. “Ready?” She takes my hand, and I nod.
