I snicker and loop my pinky around hers. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am.” She glances at the front of the building. “There’s no staff outside. I say we ditch the rest of the afternoon and go to the Vipers clubhouse.”
“I don’t even know where it is.” This is crazy.
“I do.” She winks at me and drops her hand. There’s a devious gleam in her eyes, and I wonder what secret she’s keeping. “I may have hooked up with one of the prospects recently.”
“Ava!” I blurt with shock.
“What? He’s sexier than any of the boys in school.”
I bite into my lower lip, considering her plan. It’s not foolproof, but it’s also better than my current circumstances. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s do it.”
Before anyone can spot us and say lunch is almost over, we jump up and run toward the parking lot. Technically, we’re allowed to leave. They just don’t know we won’t be coming back.
As we pull out of the parking lot, I shoot a glance at the school. Liam and Theo exit and head for the lot, probably to ditch the same as us. Neither one looks our way, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want anyone following us.
“His name is Ryker.”
I blink at Ava, swiveling my head to look in her direction.
“The prospect. He should be working the gate. I’m pretty sure he’ll let us in.”
Wow.
I bob my head in a nod, suddenly consumed with one thought: Will Gage be there? And if he is, will he want to see me?
It’s stupid. I’m still angry with him. He’s arrogant, rude, and manipulative. Gage Blade makes me feel things I don’t want to acknowledge, especially attraction.
I hate him for ruining my life. . . but I also know I can’t blame him for Liam, Theo, or the gossip at school. It’s not his fault that his father is a controlling bastard. He’s not accountable for what his family says and does to me.
Gage won’t be okay with Theo or Liam hurting me. Or anyone else. If I can count on anything, it’s that he’ll handle his brothers once he knows what’s happening. Even if he doesn’t want anything to do with me, I’m sure he’ll confront Liam and Theo.
It’s a long drive out of town to the Vipers clubhouse. Ava told me it was on the edge of Summit Hill, and she wasn’t lying. It’s a huge collection of buildings on the other side of a massive gate. Razor wire rims the top perimeter.
There’s a biker at the entrance, and he frowns as we pull up. His gaze is sharp, sweeping the interior of Ava’s car before he looks at her. When he does, his features soften, and a crooked smile appears. “Hey, Ava.”
“Hi, Ryker.”
Ryker is wearing the same leather vest that members of the club always wear around town. His patch reads PROSPECT. No name. I used to see Gage wearing the same vest. I wonder if he’s a regular member of the club now.
It wouldn’t surprise me.
Ryker ticks his chin toward me in greeting. “Letty.” My face must betray my confusion because he smirks. “We all know you’re Ava’s best friend.”
We? Does that mean the whole club?
He doesn’t answer, so I don’t think I’ll ever know.
Ryker’s amusement fades as he glances between us. “What’s going on, Ava? You both okay?” He instantly tenses when she shakes her head. “Tell me.”
“It’s a delicate situation, Ryk.” She looks up at him with pleading eyes that hold a little too much worry and fear. “We need to see Storm.”
“Shit,” he curses. “I’ll let you inside the gate, but you gotta give me a few minutes to get another prospect out here. Don’t even think of walking inside without me.”
