Page 55 of Charger

So, needless to say, I never really dated too much or slept around. There’s not much time for that when you’re raising a child on your own, even with the help from my parents.

Just as I’m about to start the bath, a knock on the door has me groaning with annoyance. Zipping my hoodie up to conceal the fact I have nothing underneath, I stomp to the door.

Tugging my leggings up at the waist, I swing the door open and find myself in a full jaw-drop moment. On the other side is a gorgeous badass woman, who is standing with her hip cocked to the side like I’ve kept her waiting for hours. Her long, wavy, blonde locks are hung over her super cute leather jacket. Correction, cute would be the word if I wore it. Hot is more her vibe. On the corner of the jacket, there’s a patch that reads: Angel. Her tight skinny jeans are tucked inside her heeled boots. She looks like she just stepped off a super hero set. I find myself a tad jealous. Considering I’m standing here with no makeup on and a hoodie, I’m more like the extra in the background.

“So, you’re the girl who has my boy all worked up.”

Her boy?

“I’m sorry, what?”

She struts inside with her curvy hips and whips around with a hair flip. She’s taller than me and it’s not just because of her heels.

“Are you part of Charger’s club?”

“Sorry, I’m Angel.” She winks. “Yup, I’m a member of the Steel Valley Chains. And I came to steal you away for the day. We’re going shopping.”

I try to wrap my mind around what is happening right now. “Wait, hold on, back up. You seem nice and like super cool. But I don’t know you.” Super cool? I laugh at myself. She would have been the popular “I don’t give a fuck what people think about me” girl in school. I would have been the one to watch in the back, wishing I had her confidence.

“Girl, that’s why we’re going shopping. To bond and shit. Also, Charger sent me.” He sent her to hang out with me… Why? She struts around, taking everything in. “It’s a cute place. I like it. And you’re adorable. I see why Charger has his balls all wound up.”

I can’t help but wonder if they had a thing. It sounds like they had a thing. She’s gorgeous. He’s gorgeous. So I wouldn’t be surprised. Jealousy hits me hard. I feel about as small as dirt, even with her compliment.

“Um, thank you.”

“Okay, so go change and then we’ll leave, because if Charger knows I let you leave with that on, he’ll flip his shit.”

Standing there still stunned, I literally don’t get why this woman is in my house right now, or why I have to go shopping with her. “I’m sorry… You seem cool, but why am I going shopping with you?”

“Club party tomorrow night and you’re coming.”

“I have to bartend at my bar tomorrow night. I can’t go to a party.”

“It’s already taken care of. One of our girls is taking your place.” What is happening right now? “Okay, so I’ll be downstairs.”

Before I can argue over who the hell is taking my place tomorrow night, she’s gone. Did that just happen?

I give up, shimmy into a pair of jeans, and put a damn bra on. I hustle outside, where Angel is waiting in her shiny black Camaro with the windows down.

“Holy… this is yours?”

She laughs while cranking the stereo volume up. The song “Hurricane” by I Prevail is playing. “Yeah, girl, he’s my pride and joy.” I want to ask how in the world she can afford something like this, but it’s probably better not to ask. It would be rude. “Get in.”

As I slide into the seat, I happen to notice that scary biker friend of Zach’s is leaning against his bike behind Angel. He throws his cigarette on the ground, then swings onto his bike before starting it up.

“Why is the scary dude following us?”

She nudges her sunglasses back down from in her hair, looking in the rearview. “Who, Hush? He’s not scary, just quiet.” She throws the car in drive and we take off. I lay my head back, laughing. The music is blaring and this car is sick. My adrenaline is on fire with excitement.

“So why exactly is he following us?”

She glances at me. “Don’t tell him I told you, but your man has a person on you at all times. Got some weird stuff going down and he just wants to make sure you’re safe.

“One, he’s not my guy. And two, what kind of weird stuff?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

Hate to tell her, but I do need to worry if it’s something dangerous that can hurt my daughter. We pull up in front of the boutique. It looks expensive and definitely out of my price range. “You know, I could just wear something I have.”

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