“The best for me?” I laugh, bitter and sharp. “He wants control. He wants me to marry someone like Daniel, some safe, boring guy who’ll keep me in the same cage I’ve been in my whole life. I don’t want safe if it means I’m miserable!”
Dad steps closer, voice low and dangerous. “You will not speak to your mother that way. And you will not see that biker again. Ever. I forbid it.”
“You can’t forbid me from living my life!” I shout back. My head is spinning now, the buzz mixing with adrenaline until I feel like I might explode. “I met good people tonight. Scarlett, Tessa, Hadley, they’re strong. They’ve been through things and they’re still kind. Tiny lost his family and the club took him in.They protect each other. That’s not criminal, that’s family. Real family.”
Dad throws his hands up. “Family? That gang is going to get you killed or arrested or pregnant and abandoned. I’ve seen it happen. I won’t let it happen to you.”
“You don’t even know them!” My voice breaks. “You’ve already decided they’re monsters because of the bikes and the vests. But they showed up for me tonight when I needed it. When Daniel was being pushy and creepy, they were there. Tiny was there. He listened when I told him about the date. He didn’t push. He just made it better.”
Mom wipes her eyes. “Daniel is a good boy from a good family. Your father’s right, he has a future planned. Stability.”
“Stability?” I shake my head, the room tilting. “Daniel talked the whole night about how I’d quit nursing once we had babies. Like my dreams don’t matter. Tiny never once made me feel small. He made me feel important.”
Dad paces, fists clenched. “This conversation is over. You’re grounded. No leaving this house except for work and school. And if I find out you’ve been anywhere near that club or that boy, there will be consequences.”
I stare at him, chest heaving. The warmth from the rum is fading fast, leaving me cold and shaky. “You can ground me. You can take my phone. But you can’t take away how I feel. I’m not going to stop living just because you’re scared.”
He opens his mouth to roar again, but I turn away, heading for the stairs. “I’m going to bed,” I say, voice trembling. “And tomorrow I’m still going to be the same person who wants more than this house and your plans.”
Mom calls after me softly, but I don’t stop. I make it to my room, close the door, and sink onto the bed in tears. My head is spinning, from the drinks, from the kiss, from the fight. Tiny’s face flashes in my mind, the way he looked back at me before riding off.
I curl up on my bed, the buzz from earlier now a dull ache behind my eyes. Tonight was magic, and now it feels like the real world is crashing down harder than ever.
But something inside me has shifted. For the first time, I tasted what freedom feels like. And I don’t think I can go back to pretending I don’t want it.
TEN
TINY
When I finally get home fromdropping her off after our date, I can’t sit still. The apartment door bangs shut behind me harder than I mean it to, echoing in the small, dim space. I pace the narrow living room like a caged animal, boots heavy on the creaky floorboards, fists clenched at my sides. It feels too fucking small right now, like the walls are pressing in while my blood’s still roaring from the ride. I pull out my phone unable to wait for her to text me.
Me: Baby, tell me you’re okay. I’m losing my fucking mind over here.
Me: Lucy, answer me. I’m about to come drag you out of there.
Me: I swear if your dad touches you wrong I’ll burn the whole damn street down.
Nothing. My stomach knots tighter. I fire off another.
Me: This silence is killing me. Come on, Buttercup.
The phone stays quiet in my hand. I set it down and lean forward, elbows on my knees. The TV noise fills the room but all I hear is her dad’s voice telling me to get the hell off his property.
Then it buzzes. Her name lights the screen and the knot in my chest loosens.
Buttercup: I’m so sorry about tonight. He ruined everything.
Me: Don’t be sorry, baby. I just needed to know you were okay. Is there anything I can do?
Buttercup: No. I’m going to bed. Hopefully when I wake up this will have all calmed down.
Me: Goodnight, my Buttercup
It’s afternoon the next day and I haven’t heard from her since last night. Some old bike race replay flickers across the screen but none of it registers. I hated leaving her there last night. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. The way her dad stepped out on the porch, face hard, and ordered me to leave or he’d call the police still burns in my gut. I stood there with Lucy gripping my cut, while he pointed at my bike like I was the fucking devil. Told me I had no business near his daughter after the trouble I bring. I wanted to put my fist through the wall. But her eyes begged me to go, so I backed off. Rode away with my hands shaking on the bars and my chest ripped open.
I’m sitting on the couch with the TV on when my phone buzzes against my thigh. I grab it instantly only to find that it’s Scarlett’s name is on the screen.
Scarlett: Big fight at Lucy’s last night.
