SUGAR AND DENIAL
The roarof the engine vibrates through my chest as Kai weaves through the empty road with recklessness. The night air rushes past us, biting and cold. But it's nothing compared to the storm brewing inside me.
His grip on the handlebars is steady and confident, too confident. I cling to him, not out of choice, but of necessity. My arms wrapped tightly around his waist, the world blurring into streaks of neon light and asphalt as we reach civilization.
Thirty minutes later, my bladder can’t hold it anymore. I really tried to ignore the pressure, but with my nerves sobering up, every scratch and feeling is more than present; it’s persistent.
We screech to a halt at a gas station that looks like it's been abandoned for years. The flickering lights cast long shadows over the cracked pavement, and the only sound is the hum of the bike's engine winding down. My legs are stiff from being locked in place for so long, not used to this type of travel. Kai’s deep voice cuts through the silence.
“You can let go now.” Amusement dances in his words.
Jerking away, I lose balance until his hand shoots up, steadying me with a firm grip on my elbow. His body halftwisted, facing my way, eyes twinkling, I can’t decide if I want to punch him or…
No, definitely punch him.
But it does make me wonder, what does his mouth even look like under that damn mask?
Is it as sharp as his tongue, or soft?
Why the hell does he keep it on, anyway?
I bite back the questions, not in the mood to earn another one of his frosty answers.
Yanking my arm free, I mutter, “I’m gonna go pee.”
“You do that,” Kai drawls, voice smooth as honey with just enough snark to remind me he’s enjoying this far too much. Flipping him off without looking back, my boots crunch on the gravel as I make my way toward the gas station.
Let him choke on his patronizing tone for all I care.
The bell above the door jingles. The fluorescent lights flicker overhead, casting an eerie glow. There’s no one at the cash register or in the aisles. It only adds to the creepy vibes, and a shiver runs down my spine as I make my way to the back. Searching for the bathroom, I quickly lock myself in. After relieving myself, I wash my hands. The cold water calms my nerves slightly. I don’t know when I’ll be back, and my friends will worry, but I can't tell them thetruth. I don't even know what the truth is anyway. And even if I did, they'd never believe me. They'll think I’m losing my mind. I even thinkIam losing my mind. Pulling out my phone, my fingers tremble as I type.
: Hey, my dad and I had to leave town. Something came up. Promise, I’ll explain when I can.
It's vague, but it's the best I can do right now. I send it to the group chat and stare at the screen. I can't help but wonder if they'll even care, or just brush it off and move on.
Perfect.
I can face down a demon without blinking, but telling one harmless lie has me spiralling. I try calling Ruby next, but it goes straight to voicemail.
“Hey, it’s me. Can you call me back? Please, we need to talk. It’s about Dad… well, Theotoldme… well,mostof it, and I’m kind of freaking out, Ruby.”
Letting out a deep breath with those tasks out of the way, what I need right now is chocolate and a fuck ton of painkillers. My head’s pounding, and I’m one stress-trigger away from completely snapping.
On my way out, I grab a bottle of water from the cooler, condensation slick against my skin. Then, without a second thought, I snag the nearest Reese’s bar like it’s a life support. Temporary fix? Absolutely. If I’m going to face more masked weirdos and monsters, I need something in my system… even if it’s just sugar and denial.
Still no cashier. I spot a bottle of painkillers on the wall behind the counter. Rising onto my tiptoes, I stretch for it. Arm out, fingertips just grazing the box. Balanced awkwardly, I start to regret not just walking around like a sane person. Finally, my fingers catch the edge of the cardboard, just as a sharp squeak shatters the silence.
I freeze.
Another squeak, then a scuffling sound, fast and frantic. Heart pounding, I look down and quickly jump back. Three fat rats skitter in the dark corner, their eyes glinting almost red.
“What the fuck...” I whisper, breath shallow. Without thinking, I slap a ten-dollar bill onto the counter and quicklygrab my stuff as I back away, never taking my eyes off them. Then I bolt out the door, painkillers forgotten.
I am welcomed by the fresh breeze. Walking fast, still unsettled, I spot Kai. He’s leaning casually against his bike, finishing to fill it up with gas. His gaze is directed at the task, giving me the perfect chance to study him without being caught staring. And all thoughts are forgotten. He finally removed his mask, and God isunfair.
How do I stand a chance?
His mouth is sinful. Full lips that look soft even when pressed into a flat line. His jawline is all edges and shadow, dusted with just enough stubble. The tattoos I can see disappear beneath his collar like secrets begging to be uncovered. His blond hair is pulled into the same loose bun at the back of his head. Strands frame his sharp features in a careless yet captivating way, exuding quiet confidence. Why are the hot ones always turning out to be jerks?
