Page 21 of Stealing the Biker

The door suddenly swings open, and we’re met with the surprised faces of Jonesy Ripley and some chick. “What are you two doing here?” he gives me a once over. “Are you even a student here?”

“Mind you own business, Jonesy,” Kiesha snaps. “You know, like the baby you don’t take care of.”

His face pales as I pull Kiesha out of the closet before this asshole draws anymore unwanted attention to us. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” As we’re walking away, I get a text message that we’re clear to leave.

Kiesha reaches for my hand, and I don’t pull away, though I probably should. I shouldn’t have kissed her. I got caught up in the heat of the moment. I get her in my truck and start up the engine without addressing what happened between us. I don’twant to hurt her. She has enough to deal with, but what I did back there…I can’t allow myself to go there again.

“Do you need anything before we get to the clubhouse?”

“No.” She shakes her head, touching her fingers to her mouth, smiling to herself. Most likely thinking about our kiss.

I can’t stop thinking about it either, but probably for a different reason.

“You sure? No snacks? Nothing to eat? I’m sure there’s stuff there…” I trail off. “Milkshake?” I don’t know why I’m trying to prolong the time I have alone with her. I guess it’s only that I know once we get to our destination and exit my truck, we have to return to how things were before that kiss. I keep reminding myself that it can’t happen again and yet it’s all I can think about.

Not the danger she’s in. Not the possibility of Sabrina finding out, but the fact that I can’t go there again. No matter how much I want to.

Kiesha shakes her head again, so I stop making suggestions. At the next red light, I glance at her from the corner of my eye. She’s staring out the passenger window, absent-mindedly still rubbing her lips. Lips I was tasting less than ten minutes ago. Lips that tasted like strawberry bubblegum.

Her gaze seems a million miles away. I can only guess how worried she must be on the inside about her father showing up at the school to taunt her.

“Look, we need to talk about what happened back there.”

“I really don’t want to talk about my father.”

“Not that. The other thing.”

“Jonesy won’t say anything about us.”

I try again. “Not Jonesy.”

She looks at me as I stop on the side of the road about a mile from the clubhouse.

“I won’t tell my uncle if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Thank you. I just. I shouldn’t have done that. I have a girlfriend and…I’m here to do a job.”

“And not get involved with me. It’s fine. Really. It’s not a big deal.” She shrugs it off, and I don’t have time to discuss it further.

“Okay. So we’re in agreement. It was a onetime thing that won’t happen again. And there’s no reason for Sabrina to find out.”

“Ah. So that’s what has you stressed out. I won’t tell her. I won’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret.”

I nod, feeling like a lousy piece of shit asking her to cover for me, but the alternative would be telling Sabrina. The first person she’d blab to after ripping off my balls will be Ember, who will tell Smoke. Who will then tell Prodigy. Who will go on to share with Link after he kicks my ass first.

“Thank you,” I finally say, my voice sounding murmured and weary.

Kiesha smiles at me, and I continue driving to the clubhouse. The closer we get, the more I feel the moment we shared in the closet slipping further and further away.

Chapter Eight

The second I walk through the doors of the clubhouse, I go straight for my mom, needing one of her hugs more than ever. Not only did my dad show up at my school and scare the shit out of me, but Jimmy kissed me. The only downside is he regrets doing so. I could see it written all over his face.

He looked terrified. Afraid I would tell someone. Mainly his girlfriend. How in love could they be if he kissed me so easily?

Mom wraps her arms around me, and even though life is crazy, her hug comforts me. So does being here. The place is a fortress. Normally, I’m not allowed to come unless I get to tag along for a cookout. And even then, I’m only permitted to be in the picnic area out back.

I glance around the bar as Mom pulls back, taking in the scene. It’s not exactly the party central I was expecting. The way Mom and Pam talk, there are usually half-naked women running around and lots of drinking.

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