10
Chapter 10 - Quinn
We buyiced coffees and walk together down the river path. This part is paved with brick and well maintained, with quaint little white benches and lots of flowers. There’s plenty of room for picnics, sunbathing or just taking a stroll like we’re doing. In other stretches of the city you can barely access the water, and if you do, you’re likely to end up stabbed with a dirty needle or stumbling over a homeless person’s tent. There’s never money for everything, especially in the more industrial areas.
“Soooooo…” Erika draws the word out as she walks by my side. “That was one of the guys from the club, right?”
A small group of kayakers glide by, and on the other side of the river a bunch of college guys are hanging out with their shirts off. It’s hard to take them seriously after Sinner’s display.
“Maybe.” I swish my paper straw around in the bottom of the cup to blend in the brown sugar syrup.
“Come on, give me something. That’s an actual, honest to goodness motorcycle club guy. Man. Member. Whatever. And you definitely weren’t getting dropped off on the back of a motorcycle during filming. Is this something new? Does your mom know?”
Across the river, there’s a glint off something that might be a camera lens. “Camera over to the left. The balcony.” I laugh like she just said something hilarious.
Erika grins and puts her hand on my arm. “This is so stupid,” she says under her breath. “Nothing personal. Hanging out with you is fine. I meant what I said the other night about being friends. If we get more seasons it would be nice to get to know each other better, you know? You didn’t really hang out with us much off set.”
“And you’re not just saying that because of Sinner, right?”
She hops ahead of me, spinning around and walking backwards. “Sinner? Are you freaking kidding me?” She fans herself with her hand. “So hot. We should hire them as consultants for next season. Toby could use a few tips.”
“I don’t know if—” My phone vibrates. I swap my drink to the other hand and pull it out of my jacket.
Unlisted number. I reject the call.
Erika has fallen back to my side. “Friends tell friends about their biker boyfriends.”
“I wish I had more to say. One of the other guys, not Sinner, was my brother’s best friend when I was little. We hadn’t seen each other for like ten years before he tracked me down at the club.” I hook my arm through hers and we turn away from thepath along the water, veering into a park that loops back towards where we started.
“I’m really glad they were there, but it was really scary when I saw you with them and it looked like you were getting wobbly. If you’d been just a little more out of it, I was ready to cause a scene.”
My phone vibrates again. “Sorry.” It’s a text, with a picture of me and Erika from a couple minutes ago. I show her the screen. “I hope the rest of the pictures are better quality. This looks like it’s just from someone’s phone.”
“Hmmm, yeah. I wonder why they’re just messaging you and not me.”
“Dunno.” In the distance, Sinner is stretched out on the grass with his arm under his head. Several groups of women are standing suspiciously close, glancing his way. It makes me want to go over and kiss him again.
Erika notices. “So you and Sinner?”
I start to shake my head, then stop a little uncertainly. I mean, no, but… I don’t even know. “It’s a fun idea, but there’s so much going on right now. It’s not a good time to start something, and he’s…”
“Hot as fuck.” Her tone is dry, but doesn’t feel judgmental. I think I’m going to like having her as a friend.
“I mean yeah, but he’s abikerbiker. Right now I could just say it’s promo for the show, but if anyone pays even a little attention they’ll notice he’s the real thing.” I throw him another glance. “But enough about me. How’s Toby?”
“He’s good. It’s fine. We’re just friends.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” My stupid phone starts buzzing again. “Oh come on!”
Cooperate and nobody gets hurt.
Wait. What? “Erika, I think something’s wrong. Like really wrong.” I look around, but everything seems normal.
“What do you mean?”
Before I have time to call for help, a black van veers right up onto the lawn, sending people scattering. There are a few screams before it comes to a stop and the doors fly open. We both jump back instinctively. Two men in dark clothes with their faces covered jump out, coming right for us.
“Get her!” one of them yells.
