Page 28 of His Other Half

"Thanks." She peeked inside. "Chrischris told us to come by."

"He's in there somewhere. Just ask anyone, and they'll get him for you."

"Thanks." She led Cami inside.

There was only one light on above the pool table. Music blared, making it impossible to hear any conversations in the groups of people hanging around inside. Most people had drinks in their hands. She looked over where the couch sat last time she was here and found many women hanging around the bikers. This time, they were all dressed—if bikini tops and skimpy shorts qualified.

She looked down at her jeans and top. Sure, the light cotton shirt had a deep V in the front with no sleeves, but she was clearly overdressed. Even Cami had on a pair of walking shorts with a T-shirt gathered at her hip with a scrunchie. She looked cute and happy, and she knew her friend was struggling, not wanting to bring attention to herself, so she dressed for a warm Friday night to fit in.

Cami leaned against her. "I changed my mind. Let's go."

Not questioning Cami's change of mind, she nodded, turning toward the door, and came face to face with Paco. He stood five feet away as if the wind blew him into her path. His hair sprang out from his head as he glared at her. The anger in his expression spread to his clenched fists and braced by a wide stance.

Grabbing Cami's hand, she pulled her friend around Paco, feeling her face burn with embarrassment. He hadn't known she was coming, and she should've stayed away. Going by his expression, he wasn't happy to see her.

Outside, Cami slowed beside her. "Did you see them?"

"Who?" She kept walking to the car.

"The women..." Cami moved to the passenger side and looked at Josie over the roof. "I think they're prostitutes."

"I don't know." She unlocked the door and popped the lock before sliding into the seat. Once Cami got inside, she said, "The women were there the day I waited for Paco to bring you back from the casino, so I don't think they are."

"Then, they want to be with those men?"

"I don't know that either." Lately, she found that was the answer to every question.

She didn't know if Paco was interested in her. She didn't know if he was going to see her again. She didn't know why she missed him. She didn't know why she cared. She didn't know if Askook was dead or which two men Paco killed. She didn't know if Paco was going to be arrested for the murders.

She didn't know anything.

Maybe she was foolish for thinking sex with him was something special. He was a lot older than her. She had no idea what men his age thought about getting together with someone. If he was someone her age, they'd be going with each other after sleeping together.

He probably had sex just to have sex, like those bikers in there with the women.

Cami slumped in the seat. "I thought I was ready to see those who'd helped me, but I don't think I am. Seeing them now, they're so different than what I imagined."

She wasn't the only one feeling out of place. When she finally came near Paco, she'd expected some sign of the intimacy they'd shared. A hello or smile, something. Certainly not anger coming from him.

The shock of the sweeping change in him wore off, and she found herself angry. How dare he act that way.

If he wanted a one-night stand, fine. If he never wanted to see her again, fine. But to deny they shared something wonderful together...frankly, it was cruel.

Age difference or not, a person who went out of their way and was intimate with someone else, should have the decency to at least be polite.

He wasn't Thunder Bird.

He was a biker.

He probably forgot about her the moment he walked out the door of her apartment and then made himself at home with one of those women in the clubhouse.

"Who's that?" whispered Cami.

She looked at her friend and followed her gaze, finding a biker walking toward the car. "That's Chrischris. He works at the body shop and is the one who invited us to the party."

Before she could ask if Cami remembered seeing him during her rescue, Chrischris approached the passenger side door.

"Should I roll down the window?" whispered Cami.

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