Page 26 of Manic

No turning back now.

Ulf comes running up, face red with anger. "This crazy bitch drove straight through the gate!" he shouts, gesturing wildly at me.

Ivar rounds my car, his eyes locking onto mine.

For a heartbeat, I'm terrified I've made a horrible mistake.

Then his face splits into a wide grin, and before I know it, I'm swept up in a bone-crushing hug.

"Gods! It's damn good to see you," he laughs, spinning me around.

Relief washes over me, and I can't help but laugh too, the tension of the past few minutes melting away.

Ulf sputters, his jaw practically on the ground. "You know her?!"

Ivar sets me down, keeping an arm around my shoulders as he turns to face the prospect. "Know her? This is Meghan. She's practically royalty around here."

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at his words, even as part of me wants to scoff.

Royalty?

More like the black sheep who ran away.

But standing here, with Ivar's familiar presence beside me, I can almost believe it.

"I tried to tell him I belonged here," I say, unable to keep the satisfaction out of my voice.

Ivar shakes his head, chuckling. "Still causing trouble, I see. Come on, let's get you inside. The others are gonna flip when they see you," Ivar pauses and glares down the prospect. "Ulf, you better fix that fuckin' fence and fast!"

As we head toward the clubhouse, I can't help but glance back at Ulf.

His face is a mix of confusion and dawning horror as he realizes just how badly he's fucked up.

Part of me wants to gloat and rub it in his face, but I'm not that person anymore.

I take a deep breath as we approach the door, steeling myself for whatever’s about to happen.

Ivar's arm is a comforting weight around my shoulders as we step into the clubhouse.

The familiar scents of leather, whiskey, and the ever lingering oil hits me like a punch to the gut, flooding me with memories both sweet and painful.

I blink rapidly, fighting back the sudden sting of tears.

Every head in the place turns our way, and for a moment, the only sound is the low hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.

I force myself to stand tall, chin up, meeting their gazes head-on.

I may have been gone for years, but I'll be damned if I let them see me cower.

"Well, I'll be damned," a voice breaks the silence. Charm pushes through the crowd, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Meghan, as I live and breathe."

I manage a smile, though it feels brittle on my face. "Hey, Charm. Long time no see."

She pulls me into a tight hug, and I stiffen for a moment before letting myself relax into it.

When she pulls back, her eyes are searching my face intently.

"It's been so long. Tell me, how are you?" The concern in her voice is genuine, and it threatens to crack my carefully constructed facade.

---