Page 54 of Truck Off

“Girl, we should do this more often,” Jayla says from the seat next to me.

“More like you should join me more often,” I say in response.

Jayla and I are hanging out at Posey’s Lounge for the first time in months. Posey’s is the only bar near our small town, and it’s owned and run by the Unholy Ghosts MC.

I frequent it often, but only because there’s nowhere else to go out for a drink, and it’s dirt cheap. But I mostly come to get away from home.

There’s nothing to do at home except sit with dad and stare at the falling down ceiling. It’s not like I can drink a beer or even think about bringing it anywhere near the trailer. Not with Dad’s addiction. He’s been clean for years now, but I will not be the one to tempt him just because I want a drink.

So I go to Posey’s instead, even though I hate the MC that owns it.

Besides, home is depressing. I need an escape from my thoughts and the taunting pile of bills that awaits me there.

Jayla gives me a sad smile. “I know. Sorry. It’s hard to make it out with work and Lucy. Both keep me really busy.”

I nudge her shoulder, not meaning to make her feel bad. “I was just joking. Didn’t mean to make you feel guilty or anything.”

She spins on her stool and rests her arm on the bar. “So tell me. What do you typically do when you’re here?”

“Honestly,” I take a healthy drink of my beer. “You’re looking at it.”

Her shoulders slump. “Seriously?”

I nod. “Sometimes I play darts or pool, but I typically keep to myself, have a few drinks, and people watch. People watching in this place can be a hoot.”

“Oh yeah?” Her face lights up. “Give me an example.”

Jayla likes to people watch just as much as me. It’s what we always did back in high school at events. While everyone else was participating in the dance or game, Jayla and I were watching and taking notes. We studied behaviors and words and actions. How our fellow classmates treated each other and how we didn’t want to be.

It’s something that’s stuck with me, and I still do it today.

Looking around, I tap my finger to my chin. “Let’s see. Well, if it were karaoke night, I’d be internally making fun of everyone who got up on stage. Like Jojo and Steve. Give those two a few drinks and they think they’re Sonny and Cher. Neither can carry a tune in a bucket.”

Jayla chuckles at the image of two of our former classmates. “When’s karaoke night again?”

“That’s on Fridays, so last night. Tonight’s poker night. Game should be starting soon.”

“Ooh, poker. Do you ever play?”

I shake my head. “Can’t afford the buy-in. Too rich for my blood.”

“But you watch?”

“Of course I watch. Christian always plays. And you know …” I lift my drink and take another big gulp. I don’t need to remind Jayla of my crush. She knows.

“Any more from Chase?” Her voice is tentative as she asks.

Her question has me downing the rest of my beer and signaling to the bartender to pour me another. I’ve tried not to think about Chase, but he’s made it impossible. Especially after how he acted toward me at the derby meeting.

Every word he spoke had my body coming alive. But nothing lit me up more than his teasing and gentle touches. My body has been tense and needy for days. All because of Chase Always-Fucking-Smiling Mutter.

Jayla nudges my side. When I look in her direction, her smile grows. “That good, huh?”

“He’s not going to give up easily. He seems determined to get me to go out with him again.”

“You should do it,” she says casually like he didn’t do anything wrong. I whip my head in her direction, gaping.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask a little too loudly.

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