Page 62 of Ride with Zane

Four. Face down.

Fuck!

I try new skating figures, pushing my limits, venting my emotions with every graceful twist and turn. The ice beneath me becomes an outlet for all the fears, anger, and doubts plaguing my mind.Focus, focus dammit!

I skate faster, executing intricate maneuvers, my body cutting through the cold air as I let out a primal scream, releasing the tension coiled within me. The ice echoes my frustration, absorbing my energy with every step, every jump, every spin.

My body moves in sync with my emotions, performing a dance of defiance. With each figure I carve into the ice, I reaffirm to myself—I won’t be confined by fear or restrictions. I’ll face the challenges, confront the dangers, and stand strong beside Rock. I’ll fight for what I love, no matter the obstacles. I deserve it. He deserves it too.

Zane

I wake up later than usual, the morning sun peeking through the window. Groggy and disoriented, I stretch my arms, attempting to shake off the remnants of sleep. The sheets are cold, and Ashley's side of the bed is empty. A pang of worry shoots through me as I reach for my phone, realizing she's not by my side.

I try calling her, but there's no response. Panic starts to bubble within me, but I attempt to rein it in. I stride through the clubhouse, searching for her, but she's nowhere to be seen. Concern gnaws at me as I spot Mac.

“Have you seen Ash?”

He shakes his head while pouring some coffee. “I just came back but I saw Kent at the Icylight. Didn’t know you wanted to secure it.”

“Alone?” My blood is boiling already.

“Good evening, Prez, what’s up?” Skull shows up with groceries and Denise by his side.

“Why is Kent out?” I blurt out.

“Princess went for a ride at 4 a.m. and…”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“She said you knew, but Kent and Ryder trailed behind her to Icylight.”

My heart pounds against my ribcage as I rush outside. I almost bump into her as she strides back in, her expression a mix of defiance and exhaustion.

“Hello, everyone, don’t mind me.”

Before I can say a word, she heads straight upstairs leaving all of us stuck.

While she’s having a shower I pace back and forth, my thoughts racing. When she finally emerges from the bathroom, she stops in front of me and kisses me before slipping into bed. I can see she’s exhausted both physically and maybe emotionally. Our world is not for anyone and she’s right. If I don’t tell her at least what’s going on she won’t keep her eyes open each time she’s out of the gate. She pulls the cover on her, and I sit on the bed.

“Can we talk?”

But she's already drifting off, her breathing steady as sleep claims her. I watch her for a while, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her delicate features relaxed in slumber.

I reach out to brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. The vulnerability in her sleep touches something deep within me, and without realizing it, exhaustion catches up.

In the quiet moments before I drift off, I realize how fragile the bonds we share can be—how easily they can fray in the face of misunderstandings and fear.

Chapter Seventeen

Ashley

My anger is like a storm cloud, dark and brooding. He lied to me. All of them did.

I hate lies.

I fucking hate them and they know it.

Why?

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