Page 43 of Brightness

“See, you’re just like me… a twisted sense of humor. I like you, Ominous. We’re gonna get along just fine.”

Void huffs. “While this is very enlightening, seeing a brother and my girl getting along…” Oh, holy hell, Void just called me his girl. “I need you to drive, and Ivy? You have to come up with a name.”

“A name?” I jerk my head in confusion.

“For my ride.”

“Oh, no way! I can’t name your bike till I see it. That shit has to come naturally. It can’t be premeditated, or it won’t fit properly.”

Ominous scoffs. “Shit, you are club material.”

I smile. “I am, aren’t I?”

“Jesus Christ!” Void groans. “You two having any sort of friendship is gonna cause me all kinds of fucking drama.”

Ominous and I both smirk as we share a look in the rearview mirror.

“Sooo much drama,” I reply.

“Fuck’s sake!” Void mumbles under his breath, and Ominous and I both laugh.

A short while later, Ominous arrives at the Harley Davidson dealership. Excitement bubbles up inside of me as we pull into the parking lot. Ominous turns off the engine and faces Void. “Need me to come in and wait?”

“Nah, brother, I’ll be riding home.”

My smile is as wide as it can be, while my insides clench in desire. The last time I rode with Void, I felt such an adrenaline rush I nearly passed out. This time, I’ll be riding knowing I helped him choose his bike.

I reach for the door handle but turn back. “Thanks for the ride, Ominous.”

He dips his chin but says nothing. I’d expect nothing less.

Jumping out of the car, Void is by my side in an instant. He reaches out for my hand, taking it in his. Gnawing on my lip, I peek through the giant front window at all the shiny bikes on display. “Is it frowned upon to squeal in here? I don’t know how I’ll contain myself.”

Void tilts his head toward the door. “Then let’s go in and see how you do.”

I bounce on my toes in excitement. As we walk inside the giant showroom, my eyes don’t know where to look. I want to learn how to ride a bike so I can come pick my own one day.

I wonder if Void will teach me?

“Will you show me… how to ride? So, I can get my own bike one day?”

“Ivy, you’re tiny. I’m not sure you’ll be able to handle a Harley.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “You’re constantly underestimating me. I may be small, but I can handle a lot more than you think.”

Void narrows his eyes. “Are we still talking about bikes here?”

“I’m just saying, give me a chance. I might surprise you.”

Void goes to say something, but a store employee steps over. “Anything I can help you with today?”

I look at his name tag. “Hi, Paul. I’d like to buy a bike.”

Void groans. “No, she doesn’t. I’d like to buy one. I called earlier, said I’d be in to check out the bikes on the floor. Defiance crew.”

Paul smiles hesitantly, obviously unsure how to take the tension between Void and me. Still, without question, he swings his arm through the air, gesturing to a different section. “Yes. Cade, wasn’t it?”

I jerk my head back in disbelief, knowing I’ve never asked Void about his real name. I guess I’ve been so entrenched in the biker lifestyle, I took the guys’ road names as their actual names.

---