Page 45 of Jolt's Vengeance

"Get it together, Aggie," I mutter to myself as I push open the cafe door.

The scent of garlic and tomato sauce hits me, making my stomach growl.

"What can I get for you?" the cashier asks, snapping me out of my Jolt-induced haze.

"Uh, the chicken parm, please," I reply, fumbling for my wallet.

As I wait for my food, I can't help but wonder what Jolt's doing right now.

Is he at the clubhouse?

Working on his bike?

My mind wanders to less innocent activities, and I feel my cheeks flush.

"Order up!"

I grab my tray, loaded with steaming pasta and garlic bread, and scan the cafe for an empty table.

As I weave through the crowded room, I can't shake the feeling that Da's words of caution are more prophetic than he realized.

But as I think about Jolt's infectious laugh and the way he makes me feel alive, I can't bring myself to care.

I slide into an empty booth, my food forgotten as I lose myself in thoughts of tattooed arms and the rumble of a Harley.

I'm about to take my first bite when a shadow falls across the table.

I look up, fork halfway to my mouth, and nearly drop it when I see Trevor standing there.

What in the hell, dude?

Trevor grumbles, stabbing at his salad. "...and then Professor Hawkins had the audacity to assign a twenty-page paper due next week."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Sounds brutal. So glad I dodged that bullet."

There's a calmness in the conversation, and I can see Trevor's eyes dart to the side before he clears his throat. "So, uh, speaking of dodging bullets... that guy you were with last weekend. Is he your boyfriend?"

My fork freezes halfway to my mouth.

Jolt's face flashes through my mind—that cocky grin, those piercing green eyes that seem to see right through me.

I feel a flush creeping up my neck.

"No," I say, perhaps a bit too quickly. "Jolt and I aren't dating."

Something flickers across Trevor's face—relief?

Satisfaction?

He smiles, but there's an edge to it that makes me uneasy.

"Good," he says, leaning forward slightly. "A woman like you doesn't need to be run ragged by a disgusting pig like him."

The words hit me like a slap.

My stomach churns, anger rising in my throat.

How dare he?

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