Chapter Twenty
Breanna stood onthe porch hugging Nicholas, her heart exploding with joy. After several nail-biting days of no contact with him, he’d finally graced her doorway. When she’d first heard the doorbell, she’d hoped it was Steel. She hadn’t heard from him all day, and she wanted to see or at least talk to him.
When she opened the door, Nicholas’s lean face smiled at her. He looked so much better than the last time she’d seen him. She flung the door open, stepped outside, and drew him into a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried.” Her voice cracked and she buried her face in his shoulder.
“Come on. Don’t cry. I just got super busy. Sorry I didn’t call.” He stroked her back as he held her tight.
She lifted her head and saw something flash in the night. Squinting, she saw a flash of chrome at the same time loud cams filled her ears.Steel!Her heart beat quickly in anticipation of seeing him, but then confusion set in when she saw him hang a U-turn and ride away from her.
That’s odd. Maybe he forgot something. I’m sure he’ll be back.
“I hate those jerks who ride these big Harleys and think they’re so badass. They tear up the streets with all their noise. Such fuckin’ posers.”
Breanna drew out of Nicholas’s embrace as she laughed. “I know that guy and his Harley, and believe me when I tell you he’s definitely no poser. Just the opposite.” Warmth spread through her as she thought about their time together the day before, and earlier that day.
“Are you hooked on that jerk?” Nicholas frowned.
“No. I just know him from work. Let’s go in. The mosquitoes are biting.” She stepped inside and he followed her.
“Bullshit. That look on your face means you’ve fallen for some dude. A biker? Don’t you remember how great Dad was?” He snorted.
“Dad was a selfish person, and I’m pretty sure he would’ve been one whether he was or wasn’t a biker. Anyway, enough about all that. Tell me what you’ve been doing.”Besides shooting up.“You look healthier.”
“I feel better. I have a new job and I’m making some decent money for once.” He wiped his runny nose. “Do you have a Kleenex?” She reached behind her and took the box from the small table in the foyer. He took a couple. “Thanks.”
A runny nose was one of the signs that someone was using smack. She swallowed the lump that began forming in her throat. “That’s great. Where’re you working?”
“I’m selling a product to people. The more I sell and the more I get interested in this product, the more I make. It’s been going great.”
She sat down on the couch and he followed suit. “What’re you selling?”
He blinked rapidly. “It’s something to make people feel better.”
“Like a health elixir?”
He grinned broadly. “Yeah.”
“Are you hungry? I have a frozen pepperoni pizza I can pop in the oven, or a meatloaf dinner.”
“Let’s order a pizza. I’m paying.”
“Are you sure you have enough?”
“I told you I’m working now. You call it in. I want extra cheese and extra pepperoni.”
“Okay.” She dialed the number, but suspicion crept through her. Something was off-kilter.Where did he get his money?She hated that she didn’t believe him. Maybe he was off the stuff andhadfallen into a good job. He could be very persuasive; she and her debt were proof of that. She should be happy for him instead of suspicious, but she couldn’t stop the niggling feeling that something was more wrong with him than ever.
When their pizza came, Nicholas ate like he hadn’t eaten in several days. She nibbled on one piece, wondering why Steel hadn’t phoned her yet. She was positive that it was him who’d been across the street earlier.Why did he take off in such a hurry? I hope Chenoa’s all right.
It was probably something related to the club. She remembered her father getting phone calls during dinner and he’d hang up, put on his black gloves, and leave without anything more than a “club business” grumble. It had driven her mother crazy and had made Breanna scared to death.
I hope he calls me.
While they watched a movie on TV, she felt her eyelids grow heavy. Before she could get up and drag her butt to her bedroom, she fell fast asleep.
***
Breanna woke upto a chorus of birds in the maple tree right next to her living room window. Rays of brightness cast squares onto the floral couch and the dull hardwood floor. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust her eyes to the golden illumination. She was on the couch, wearing her clothes from the previous night, an empty pizza box and several cans of pop littering the coffee table.
