Page 108 of Manny

“I forgot I have an appointment.” I also lie really badly.

Manny cocks a brow. “Okay, are you sure you’re alright? You look a little flustered.”

I smile. “I’m fine, honestly. I’ll see you at home later?”

He nods. “I’ll bring dinner.”

I practically sprint out of the clubhouse. I look around.Is he here? Watching me?Oh, God.

None of this can be good. I climb into my car and sit behind the wheel but don’t start the engine. I could just text him and find out what he wants. He knows where I am, it’ll only be a matter of time before he figures out how to find me. I don’t have time to think, I’ve got a shift in half an hour at Muso’s. I can’t call in sick because I only saw Audrina yesterday, and she knows I’m not sick. I’ve never been an unreliable person and I have impeccable work ethic. I also miss my old job and once I sort this mess out, I think it’s time I returned back to what I love doing the most. Surely Mateo isn’t here to do anything bad to me. If he was, he wouldn’t have left that business card, right? And the mob don’t sit down and terrorize you, they nab you off the street and tie you up. I almost faint when I think about that, and it only fuels my paranoia.Has he been watching me? And if so, for how long?

I bang my head on the steering wheel. This can’t be happening.Breathe,I tell myself.You have an entire MC behind you if you need them.I cringe when I think about bringing the MC into my mess, and what Riot will think. Then again, I didn’t do anything wrong.

Starting the car, I pull out of the lot and head over to Muso’s; I’m nervous the whole way there.

I need to tell Bandit and Manny. I shouldn’t have run out on Manny like that, and when I park at the cafe fifteen minutes later, I see a message from Manny.

Manny

You okay, Princess?

I take a breath. I don’t want to be deceitful.

Me

Not really. I’m sorry I ran out. I’ll explain later, okay?

Manny

Okay. I’ll make pasta for dinner, I invited Eli and Bandit

Me

That was nice of you

Manny

He didn’t reply yet, so maybe he won’t come

Me

You know how he is, and he’s been avoiding us

Manny

Yeah, I know

Me

I’ll text him and ask him if he’s coming

Manny

Sounds like a plan

I take a breath, getting out of my car as I switch over to text Bandit as I walk.

He can say what he wants, but he has been distant, and I don’t like it.

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