‘And what would he say about you dating me?’
He huffs out a laugh. ‘He’d be happy for me, I think. Happy for us.’
We’re silent again. AJ rubs his fingers over my forearm. I want to ask what he thinks the rest of his friends will say, but I don’t, because as far as I’m aware, they have no idea that we’re even an item.
‘We should get moving,’ he says, later, when the sun is almost gone. He gets to his feet, brushes himself down, then holds out his hand to help me up.
On the back of his bike, on the way back into Canyon, I’m surprised when we don’t continue straight on the highway back to Eastvale. Instead, we take the exit toward Rapture.
When we park the bike outside Scotch & Smoke, my heart starts to thud. We leave our helmets on the bike and AJ takes me by the hand, leading me inside the bar.
It’s another busy night. Bikers, mostly, talking and drinking, with a rock tune I don’t recognize blasting over the speakers.
Just after we walk through the door, AJ lets go of my hand. I walk behind him, yet nerves descend over me, because I don’t know what his friends are going to make of my appearance. Or whether he will introduce me as his girlfriend. On paper, we don’t exactly fit.
I don’t get another moment to contemplate the situation, because Nicole Escribano pounces on me once we reach the pool tables.
‘Hollie!’ she squeals. ‘What are you doing here?’
I glance up ahead at AJ who is fist bumping with Chase and Balthazar. My pulse goes through the roof. I offer her a huge grin, swallowing my nerves. ‘I, uh… was in the area?’
‘It’s so good to see you again! I didn’t get to say bye after that dumb sheriff’s raid! I was gonna ask you for your number. Can I buy you a drink? Come on, girl.’
She drags me to the bar before I can object. ‘Hey, Nando!’ she shouts to the barman, who I recognize from the last time I came out here. He saunters over. He’s got dark caramel skin with dreadlocks. I recognize him from the last time I was in here, and he’s wearing the same yellowOnly Rapturetank and skinny black jeans.
‘Ladies! Good evening. What can I get you for lubrication?’
His eyebrows bounce flirtatiously in my direction, and I find myself blushing.
‘You’re drinking, right?’ Nicole checks with me.
‘Uh, sure,’ I respond. I’m not exactly sure what the plan is here, but Nicole orders us a couple of beers. I need to relax and go with the flow.
It’s not one of my strengths.
‘So…’ she begins, searching my face.
‘How are things between you and Balthazar?’ I ask, purposefully avoiding any probing questions.
She sips her beer and rolls her eyes. ‘I mean… oh, you know… we’re kinda back together. I mean, nottogether, together. Like hooking up, I guess. Those college frat boys weren’t floating my boat if you get my meaning. Come on.’
She walks back toward the pool table, the one that’s tucked further out of sight, that I’ve never seen them play on. I follow, feeling a tremble in my legs.
AJ and Balthazar shoot pool. Nicole takes a seat at a nearby table, adjacent to the long side of the pool table where Chase is already sat down.
‘Well, lookie who it is,’ Chase comments dryly. He gives me a once-over as I take the vacant seat between them. I put my beer on the table and offer him a thin-lipped smile.
For a moment, between the three of us, nobody says a word.
‘So… you and AJ,’ Chase drawls over the beat of the music. ‘Y’all are gettin’ nasty, or what?’
I feel the base of my neck burn.
‘Chase!’ Nicole barks at him on my right. ‘Quit bein’ so crass!’
He gives her a look, then she bends her chin and leans in toward me. ‘You and AJ are hooking up, right?’ she asks.
I swallow a lump in my throat. I wish AJ had told me we were coming here. ‘Is it obvious?’
