Page 76 of Kismet

Saturday arrived way too fast. After my one class of the day yesterday, Kylie and I went exploring. There’s not really a whole lot to see in Lubbock, but I did show her around the University, and we went out for lunch and drinks, before going back to my place to get wasted while watching our comfort movies—Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman.

We ended up passing out on the couch at who knows what time, not waking up until late into the morning today, hungover as shit.

This biker party is like an all-afternoon type thing. Stone said he was getting there early, but we could show up whenever. It’s a quarter to three now, and Kylie is getting ready while I try to calm my chaotic nerves. I don’t know which part makes me more uneasy: Kylie meeting Stone and potentially saying something fucking stupid, or seeing Stone in general outside of school, with alcohol, where anything could happen.

And that poses another question… Do Iwantsomething to happen?

No… right?

I’m pulling up my jeans and buttoning them, when my phone pings on my dresser. It’s a text from Stone, and my stomach leaps to my throat.

Stone: Hey! Know when you’ll be here?

Me: Kylie is getting ready now. Then we’ll leave. So within the hour?

Me: Ky also wants to know if there will be any “hot biker daddies”...

Stone: HAHA! There are definitely a few of those.

Me: Dope. We’ll see ya soon.

Chuckling to myself, I shove my wallet into my back pocket before making my way out of the room. Kylie is in the bathroom doing her makeup, but the door is open, so I pop my head in.

“Just got confirmation there will indeed be hot biker daddies there tonight.”

Her whole face lights up, and she squeals, pausing whatever the hell it is she’s doing with her face. “Hell yeah. That’s great news!”

“Sure, weirdo. You almost done?”

“Yeah, give me five minutes, and I’ll be finished. Are you driving, or are we taking an Uber?”

“An Uber. I want to drink,” I reply, heading toward the living room to slip my shoes on.

True to her word, five minutes later, she’s ready to go, and I order us a car. Renewed nerves coat my stomach, and I want to puke.

“Hey,” Kylie murmurs, grabbing onto my arm. “Relax. It’s gonna be great. And we can leave at any point.”

“Thanks, Ky.”

The address Stone gave me is about ten minutes away, and is apparently the MC’s clubhouse. Kinda sounds like some Mickey Mouse shit to me, but whatever. When we pull up outside, it looks like a regular old warehouse, but when we get out of the car, we can hear music playing from inside.

Here goes nothing.

The tall metal door creaks when I pull it open, and as we walk through the threshold, all eyes turn on us. And there area lotof eyes. Jesus Christ. My gaze somehow immediately falls on Stone, as if there is some unseen force connecting us.

As soon as he spots us, he sets his drink down and saunters over. Good God, he looks unreal today. Beyond sexy. His ebony hair is tousled, a few curly strands hanging over his forehead, and a leather vest over a plain white t-shirt hugs his taut muscles beautifully. His Wranglers are tight and dark, and he’s wearing clunky, black combat boots. The entire outfit, mixed with the swagger of his walk, gives him a badass vibe, and I fucking dig it.

Kylie brings her mouth next to my ear and whispers, “Thatis Stone?”

“Mmhmm,” is all I can manage before he’s standing in front of us.

“Cash, hey! You made it,” he greets me with a wide smile on his perfect fucking face before turning his attention to Ky. “And you must be Kylie! It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yes! And you must be the Stone I’ve heard so much about. It’s nice to meet you too.”

Fucking Kylie.The crooked grin and the way his eyes slide over to me lets me know he caught that too.

“What can I get y’all to drink? Beer? Soda? Something stronger?”

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