“Right, but in all the times I’ve gotten wasted with you, you’ve never passed out. And being drunk doesn’t explain the blatant fear I saw on your face after Rae came and got me.”
“You sure you weren’t drunk? Or high? Because I think you were seeing things.”
“Dammit, Rox,” he snaps. “Something is going on with you, and I need to know what it is.”
I shoot to my feet, anger surging in my veins. “No, Ry, you don’tneedto know. Youwantto know. There’s a difference.”
“So you don’t deny it?”
“Deny what?”
“That there’s something going on, something you’re not telling me.”
Done with this conversation, I storm to the door. “Leave it alone,” I warn before walking out of the room.
I quickly get my jacket, cross-body bag, and cell from my own room and leave the clubhouse.
The cool air causes goosebumps to break out over my flesh, but I ignore it. I have to get the hell out of here before I do or say something I can’t take back.
With no destination in mind, I ride aimlessly for an hour or so. Eventually, I find myself parking at the curb in front of the bike shop. Before I can give it a second thought, I go inside, and the little bell dings with my entrance.
“Someone will be with you in a minute,” a man calls from the back area.
I don’t recognize the voice, and disappointment settles over me. “No hurry,” I call back.
Ten seconds later, Screamer comes through the swinging door and grins. “I thought that was your voice.”
Instinctually, I take a step back. “Oh, I, um…”Get your shit together, Roxie.“Yeah, it’s me,” I say lamely.
“You okay?” he asks, and the genuine concern I see in his eyes is almost my undoing.
“Fine,” I lie. “I just…”
“You just what?”
I push past the fear because, really, what the fuck am I afraid of? This man has done nothing wrong.
“I brought my bike,” I blurt, hitching a thumb over my shoulder.
His eyes light up with amusement, and he smiles. “I see that.”
“Shuffle says you’re the best.”
Screamer leans his forearms on the counter and assesses me. “Did he?”
Swallowing, I nod. “Yep.”
“I’m the best at a lot of things. Did he happen to specify?”
“Bikes. Mechanics. He said you’re the best at that.”
Fuck, I sound like an idiot.
“What else did Shuffle say about me?”
“I, um… nothing, why?” I ask, unease in my tone.
“Funny. He hasn’t told me anything about you either.”
