I shrug, because on that I’m not exactly sure. The job I could care less about, I’m only there to fund uni. But I’ve got a year left on the degree I’m studying for and I really want to finish it. Surely, they’d let me?
“I might not even get in.”
“But you want to.” It’s a statement more than a question.
“Yeah. I do.”
Saturday dawns bright and clear,the sky a beautiful shade of blue that seems at odds with the miserable expression on Ash’s face. He’s spent the last twenty-four hours trying to talk me out of approaching the Wild Wolves, but my mind’s made up.
At least it was up until ten minutes ago, when I wheeled my bike out of the garage and everything became a little too real.
I can’t back out now, though. I’d regret it, I know I would. The worst they can say is no, right? At least I hope it is.
“You’re really doing this?” Ash says, running a finger over the handlebars.
“I am.”
“Jesus Christ, Mor.” He grabs me and pulls me in for a hug so tight I struggle to breathe. “Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t let them force you into anything, just so you can be part of their stupid club.”
I don’t tell him that from what I’ve read, that’s exactly what’ll happen. I just hug him back.
“Keep in touch, yeah?”
I nod.
“Today. I need to know that you’re not dead.”
“Yes, mum.” I roll my eyes, but a tendril of fear creeps up my spine.
It’ll be fine.
With my rucksack on my back, I swing a leg over my bike.
“You just gonna rock up to the front gates and knock?”
“Pretty much.”
Ash looks sceptical and I don’t blame him.
“Be safe.”
He slaps my shoulder and steps away as I start the engine, revving it a little and making him smile.
I leave him on the driveway as I turn onto the road and head out of town, really hoping that I’m not making a huge mistake.
It’sa thirty-minute ride from Ash’s house out to the Wild Wolves’ compound. It feels more like five.
Maybe this is a bad idea.
Nope. You’re just nervous, because you don’t know what to expect.
Is that all it is? Or is it my lizard brain trying to tell me something?
Either way, it’s too late now because the gates to the compound loom up ahead and I’ve already been spotted.
Two men guard the gate. Or at least that’s what I think they’re doing. The pair of them are sat on a picnic table off to one side, watching me.
Neither of them makes a move to open the gate or talk to me.
