“Ten minutes. Just enough time for Harper to pack up and get ready,” Regan said.
A flash of movement caught my eye in one of the mirrors along the wall, a shadow shifting out of view outside the front window. I turned, trying to catch a glimpse, but it was gone.
A chill settled over me, prickling at the base of my neck. Every instinct was suddenly on edge, the hairs on my arms standing to attention. I shifted, glancing sideways, but everything seemed normal—people walking downtown on a Friday night, lost in their own worlds. My eyes drifted back to the large mirror along the wall, catching glimpses of the passing crowd, hoping to spot a familiar face, some explanation of what made my hackles rise, but there was nothing. The creeping, heavy sensation, pressing into me as if I were being watched from somewhere in the shadows, eyes lingering on me just beyond my vision.
I tried to shake off the thought, but it crept through me again. So much of our life revolved around dangerous people and dangerous things, and one thing I had learned was to trust my gut feelings. Which seemed a lot easier when I at least knew what the threat was. Inside, the room was empty besides Harper and Regan, and outside the crowd stayed in motion, but it did nothing to calm my nerves.
I heard the bikes pulling up before I saw them. Three bikes pulled into the calm street in front of the cafe.
“They are here,” I said, sliding out from the chair as Harper shoved a box into her backpack.
“And that is . . . what exactly?” I asked.
“Hero’s present. He gets doughnuts and nothing else. He barely deserves those, but I thought a peace offering would be appropriate on his birthday.”
I grinned, not saying a word about how they were always bickering.
The girls followed me out, and I headed right to Mason’s bike.
“So you’re the lucky one who is stuck with me tonight?”
“We calling it lucky now? Do I have to watch you like a hawk all night, too?”
“I would prefer you not to.”
“Thank fuck for that. I truly don’t know how Aiden manages it. You’re like a little raccoon—feral and uncontrollable.”
“I really hope you’re following that up with how cute I am.” My hands flew to my hips.
He grinned and nodded for me to get on behind him. “Let’s make it clear I’m not the one who said the cute part, but I’m not disagreeing. Come on, trash panda, we need to go. I’m ready to have any semblance of fun.”
Rook and Zack took off—Regan and Harper on the back of their bikes—Mason pulling out fast behind them.
The wind whipped past us as Mason caught up to them, the engine roaring beneath us. I closed my eyes, feeling the vibrations thrumming up through my body, but something about it felt hollow, like it wasn’t enough. With Aiden, every turn felt like we were moving together, perfectly in sync. Mason’s riding wasmore erratic, his movements sharper, less familiar. I clung to him, but there was no connection, no spark. I’d given up on the idea of feeling anything close to that with anyone else, but every time I got on a bike with one of them, I couldn’t help but hope.
I guess it would be something I have to get used to. If Aiden was ignoring me and angry about the blackmail, the chances of him wanting me to ride with him as often were slim. I sat up as Mason sped down the road.
I fisted my hands in the back of his jacket, trying to shake off the regret pooling in my chest. A chill settled over me, gnawing at the edges of my confidence. Had I really pushed Aiden to his limits of dealing with me? Was it so bad he would even skip Hero’s birthday to not deal with me?
I knew the entire thing was immature. I knew if a man didn’t like me, it wasn’t worth running after him, but this wasn’t just any man.
This was Aiden.
The memory of the first time he looked at me like I was someone worth protecting was burned into my mind, and I wanted that look again and again, more than anything. Maybe that’s why I kept pushing, kept trying to get under his skin. I couldn’t handle staying around him—couldn’t stand him being aroundme—if there would never be more.
I kept pushing him because I kept pushing myself into a place of all or nothing.
And nothing would really mean nothing because Aiden’s life was already intertwined with mine. Nothing would mean one of us was leaving the life we knew.
The low, guttural purr of the bike echoed around us as Mason pulled into the lot, weaving through the rows of bikes and bodiesalready gathered at the Ledges. The place was packed tonight, the glow of headlights and the flickering of fire pits casting jagged shadows over the crowd.
I figured Hero would invite anyone and everyone, but this was bigger than I expected.
My arms wrapped around Mason’s strong body, the heat radiating off him and keeping the night chill away.
He glanced back at me, smirking. “Careful, princess. If you start feeling me up, people are gonna get ideas.”
“I don’t think anyone would get ideas about us, Mason.”
