Page 9 of One Love

“So, it was just there?” Fizz is eyeing the bike like it’s a caged animal infected with rabies.

“Yeah, with this note.” I hand her the paper I found, never removing my eyes from Crank as he checks the fuel line for any holes.

“Got something?” I mean, a fuel leak could blow me to pieces if the tank is full and creates some kind of spark, right?

“Nah, all clear so far.” At his words, I stop, my hands on my hips and my eyes narrowed, staring into space as I try to put the pieces of this bizarre puzzle together.

“Sounds like your stalker, to be honest.” I nod at Fizz’s words.

“Yeah, it’s crossed my mind.” More than that, I’m pretty fucking sure this dude’s fucking with me. Although, there are worse things than gifting me my bike back.

“How much longer, Crank? It’s not like you’re building her up all over again.” Yeah, yeah, I’m a little short but fuck, I still haven’t had my coffee and I shouldn’t be allowed to people without a proper dose of caffeine.

Crank’s head looks over the seat of the bike as he crouches on the other side, his brow going up as if telling me to calm my tits but knowing better than to give me lip.

“I’ll grab some coffee.” I mutter my words and just as I’m about to turn away, I throw over my shoulder. “Hurry the fuck up.”

“Yeah, Boss.”

Fucker.

“You’re crankier than usual.” Fizz chuckles, and when I frown at her she holds her hands up in surrender, trying her best not to laugh. “Crankier…like Crank? Get it?”

I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes because I’m not a thirteen-year-old teen and immediately, the familiar pang in my chest immobilizes me for a second before I reach the coffee station and fill my bloodstream with caffeine.

“Where’s Glitch?”

Fizz shrugs as she sips her coffee. “Probably in his nerd cave.”

I snort. We used to call it the bat cave but he insists that he’s a self-proclaimed nerd and very fucking proud of it. Who am I to burst his bubble? He’s a lot hotter than any nerd I’ve ever met with his black-rimmed glasses, disheveled brown hair, and colorful inked sleeves on both arms.

“Do you know if he’s got anything on Mr. Wright?” May as well kill two birds with one stone.

“Not sure. I heard Glitch got a home address so Shoo and Tab staked out his house last night. The car looked like an army feasted on fast food this morning. Fucking gross.” Her black curls swing back and forth as she vehemently shakes her head at her words. “They said something about following him out to the turnpike then losing him shortly after that.”

“How the fuck did they lose him again?” Fucking Christ, who is this guy, Houdini?

“No idea, you’ll have to ask them.”

I glare at Fizz but I’m not really looking at her. My mind is trying to make sense of all of this shit.

“Boss!” Crank’s booming voice gets all of my attention as he calls out for me.

“Find something?”

“Nah, she’s clean except for that chicken scratch. It’s the same bike, I checked the serial number we created for her. Only the body on the right side has changed, I’m guessing it was replaced when they fixed her up.” Wiping the tank off with his rag, he rubs a little harder just below the gas cap. “What’s this?” I know what he’s asking but I want his take on it first.

“What do you think it is?” I watch his brow furrow as his head turns this way and that.

“Looks like a triangle.” I nod at his words, agreeing.

“That’s what I thought, too.” I step away, still confused when his next words get my attention again.

“Could be the letter D.”

My phone buzzes in my hand with an incoming text.

Motherfucker.

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