Page 10 of Joyride
Zack’s father is a powerful man. He could easily have something happen to Sketch and make it look like an accident. It’s why I don’t want to tell Shade either. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if either of them or any of the Savages ended up hurt or killed because of me.
“Tell me again why we have to leave? Why can’t we have breakfast here?” Kicks' voice is loud and whiny. I move to the window, peeking through the blinds.
Sketch turns to Kicks. “Because we don’t need to overstay our welcome. We shouldn’t have stayed the night to begin with.” There’s a sadness in his tone. It’s subtle, but I caught it. I’m sure I’m the reason for it, too. I’ve been so hot and cold with him. I don’t know how he hasn’t given up on me. Honestly, I’m glad he hasn’t. Now, I need to get my life together before I let him back in. Easier said than done. “Plus, we have shit to do before we meet with Gator.”
“In other words, he pissed Wren off again,” Clutch states.
“Fuck both of y’all.” As if he can sense me watching him, his eyes come to my window. I duck to the side to avoid him seeing me.
“Uber’s here,” Diesel says. I chance another look out the blinds. Sketch’s eyes haven’t moved. “Let’s go, brother.”
Diesel nudges Sketch’s shoulder. He shakes his head and tears his eyes away. I watch until he climbs into the car and drives away.
I make my way back to the kitchen for some coffee. Watching the coffee drip into the pot, I wonder what could have been going through Sketch’s mind as he was staring at my window.
“Hey,” Aria says, walking into the kitchen. “Clutch texted and said they left. Did something happen?”
“Sketch saw my bruises. I did what I do best and snapped at him,” I tell her. “What the hell is wrong with me?”
“You’re afraid. You have real feelings for him, and after the bullshit Zack put you through, you’re scared.” Her bluntness is spot on. “What’s this?”
I turn around to see what she’s talking about. In her hand is a folded piece of paper with my name on it. I snatch it out of her hand and open it.
Little Bird,
I’m sorry I keep upsetting you. I care and worry about you. I’ll give you whatever space you need. Please know, if you’re in trouble or need help, I’m here for you. No judgment, no questions asked.
I miss you.
Sketch
Under his name, he wrote his number. As if I don’t have that already memorized. I have stared at his texts plenty of times to have his number seared into my brain.
“What does it say,” Aria asks.
“Nothing important,” I lie. I grab a coffee mug, filling it three-fourths of the way up. I need plenty of room for creamer. Once I get my creamer mixed in, I go sit on the back deck. It’s oddly comfortable outside. Not too hot with a slight breeze. Being the end of June, it’s normally disgustingly hot, even first thing in the morning.
I sit on the couch Sketch and I were on less than twelve hours ago. Thinking about what he said to me, I pick my phone up to send a text to Sienna.
To Sienna:I’m safe. I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. Please don’t look for me. I’ll explain soon. I love you both.
Once the text goes through, I turn my phone off. I trust Sienna with everything I am, but she’s dating my brother. I can’t risk them giving my number to Tech to track me.
I lay back against the couch and attempt to plan my next move. Do I stay in New Orleans or go back to Texas? Do I tell Sketch and Shade what happened and get the club’s protection - risking something happening to one, or both, of them? Or do I keep running and pray he never finds me?
“Hey, girl.” Elena breaks me out of my looming thoughts.
“Oh, hey. I didn’t even hear you come out here,” I tell her.
“You seemed pretty deep in thought.” She acknowledges. “Last night was interesting, huh?”
“That’s one way to put it,” I say. “I saw you talking to Diesel.”
“Yeah. He wasn’t even trying to get in my pants.” She laughs. “He was actually really cool to talk to.”
“He’s a good guy. Unless, of course, you get on his bad side. From what I’ve noticed, he’s into this chick name Tink,” I tell her. “I’m not sure he’s acted on it, though.”
She nods her head but doesn’t say anything. We sit in silence for a few minutes.
