They exchange a look. A knowing one.
Then they smile.
“Oh,” Bella says. “Yeah. We know Lucky.”
“He’s actually a really good guy,” Bri adds. “Protective. Loyal. Big heart under all that attitude.”
The words land warm and sharp all at once.
Bella sighs. “But…”
“But he does have a reputation,” Bri finishes carefully. “Especially at Perdition. Different chick every time he’s there.”
My chest sinks.
“That doesn’t mean what you felt wasn’t real,” Bella says quickly. “Just that he might not have been in the same place.”
The road hums beneath us. The bar fades behind us, lights shrinking in the side mirror.
I pull my phone out once we’re a few minutes away.
Me: Hey. I’m really sorry, but I had to leave.
Me: I wasn’t feeling great and didn’t want to make it a thing.
Me: I got a ride back into town. I’m safe.
I stare at the screen, thumb hovering. I don’t have anything else to give tonight. I lock my phone before I can spiral.
Bella glances at me in the mirror. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I say automatically. Then I shake my head. “I mean… it will be.”
She nods like she understands and turns the radio up just a notch, giving me quiet without making it awkward.
My phone buzzes.
I know it’s Lena before I even look.
Lena: What happened?? You just disappeared. Are you okay?
I type. Delete. Type again.
Me: I’m okay. I just needed to leave.
Me: I’ll explain later, I promise.
Before she can respond, my phone starts ringing. Lucky’s name lights up the screen, and my heart jumps before my head can stop it. I don’t answer. It rings again.
Bella’s eyes flick to the phone. Bri’s mouth presses into a thin line.
I flip it face down in my lap. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to bring drama into your night.”
Bri shakes her head immediately. “You’re not.”
The ringing stops. A text comes through.
Biker Boy: Where did you go?
