I look toward the door that is thankfully locked. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t locked it?
After pulling up my pants, I head to the sink and grab some paper towels. At the punching bag, I start to clean up my cum before throwing away the trash. I speedwalk toward the door and out of the gym. I need to take a shower to get all of this sweat off me. I can’t believe I just jacked off in the gym, of all places.
Some of the brothers try to talk to me as I make my way toward my room, but I ignore them. I don’t want them to know what I just did in the gym.
I open my door and walk in, slamming it behind me. At my dresser, I pull out fresh underwear and walk into the bathroom. I turn the shower on and hop in. The hot water soothes my sore muscles. As I wash my body, my thoughts go back to Brooke. This time, not in a sexual way.
I wonder what made Brooke come to this small town. Could she be running from something? Why am I so attracted to her? She is a mystery, and I think that has something to do with it. I want to know why she came here, why she has those scars, why she doesn’t talk, and so much more.
6
BROOKE
It has been a week and a half since Bear followed me home on his bike. Ever since that day, he has been pestering me about hanging out, and I’ve refused every time. I don’t feel comfortable around him. He is way bigger than me and could do anything to me if I made him angry, and I don’t want to take that chance. He always brings up a diner we could go to in town.
All the bikers have been strange around me ever since Pres let me go home early. They have been nicer to me and have made sure that I am comfortable. They give me space when I walk next to them, and don’t make any flirty comments anymore. I have just been ignoring them, and I am starting to feel bad about it. Honestly, they scare me. They can get super rowdy and not pay attention to their surroundings, which could get me hurt. I am afraid that one of them will take advantage of me.
“It’s time for lunch,” Gears announces, breaking me from my thoughts.
I lift my head, his back is facing me. I put the wrench into the toolbox, pick up the rag right next to the toolbox, and wipe my hands. I had taken off my gloves because I was working with oil and grease and didn’t want them to get dirty.
Gears said he wouldn’t look at me until I put my gloves back on. For the first thirty minutes, I looked over at Gears several times to see if he was telling the truth, and he was. I never once felt his eyes on me or saw him look at me through my peripherals.
Taking off my gloves while I work helps to cool me down a bit, too. It’s another place where I can feel the fan and AC to cool my body. It’s only gotten hotter since I arrived. I’ve started bringing a set of clothes in case I need to change before I work behind the bar.
I pick up my gloves and put them on before passing Gears, letting him know he is able to move freely now. I make my way toward the kitchen. The closer I get, the more voices I hear, and that makes me antsy because I don’t like being crammed into small spaces with all these big men. It makes me feel claustrophobic.
I stand outside the kitchen, waiting for some of the bikers to leave. They are laughing super loud. I envy them for being able to socialize. The doctor told me I won’t get my voice back until I feel safe. I want to have a conversation with someone again. I am still on alert around the bikers. It’s like I don’t belong anywhere anymore.
I want to be able to go up and ask what their real names are, but I can’t, and I have no idea if that’s even allowed. There might be a rule that if you aren’t in the club, you can’t know their real name.
“Here’s your lunch. I noticed you standing out here for a couple of minutes,” Bear offers, handing me my lunch.
Nodding, I take it from him and try to make my way back to the garage, but Bear stops me.
“Will you go to the diner with me? I can get you out of work so we can go. I’ll pay.” He speaks softly with a small smile forming on his face.
There are very few times that Bear has been so quiet with me. It’s only when no one else is around. Anytime someone is near us, he uses his regular gruff voice, but when I look into his eyes, I can see the tenderness.
I shake my head and continue to walk. Every chance Bear gets to ask me to the diner, he does, and every time I say no. Bear grabs my arm, stopping me.
“Give me a reason why you won’t go to the diner with me,” he demands.
I shake my head and try to get my arm out of his grip, so he applies a little pressure. I turn around and glare at him.
“No. I have been kind to you since day one! I want, no, actually, I deserve a reason as to why you won’t go to the diner with me,” he says, raising his voice a tiny bit.
I try to wriggle out of his grip again, but he just tightens his hand. My breathing picks up a little. I don’t like the way he is holding my arm right now.
“I won’t let go until you are willing to give me an answer,” he threatens.
His face is emotionless. Sighing, I nod toward the garage. I hope he understands that there are pieces of paper in the garage I can write on.
“If you try anything, I will catch you,” he jokingly growls out, but I can hear a faint truth behind his words as he lets go of my arm.
I take a deep breath, calming my frantic heart and stopping my panting. I make my way toward the garage with Bear on my heels.
We get into the garage, and I place my food on the bench. I walk toward the table and grab some paper and a pen.
