Page 92 of Second Chance

Then he notices me.

Rusty Miller scans my body from toes to top and down again. His red hair sticks up a bit, and his facial hair is a poor mix between scruff and beard as if his jaw can’t decide which way to go. He has some type of pox scars on his face, reminding me of the nemesis in the movie Grease. In fact, Crusty Rusty looks more greasy than crusty.

“Need a ride, beautiful?”

“Uhm…” This would be a bad idea. The worst idea ever. But I tell myself James is one of his club brothers, and I should be safe enough. James would never let something happen to me as his true sister. Then again, knowing nothing of the motorcycle club code of ethics, I doubt James’s protection.

“I’m not certain that would be a good idea.”

Crusty’s brow pinches.

“You need a ride, right? Hop on. I’ll take you to town.” There’s innuendo in the words I shouldn’t read, and I try to tell myself I’m overthinking things.

“I live in the subdivision before town. Can you drop me there?”

“Anything for you, beautiful,” he says, firing up the bike. I’m cursing myself as I step forward, knowing I should have just called one of the boys, but I also know I need to get off this property. I need to get away from the death lingering here. I need to remove myself from Denton.

He’s going to New York City next week.

“Hang on, beautiful,” Crusty yells as he kicks the bike into gear and screeches out of Magnolia’s drive, spitting up gravel as we curve onto the main road. I hold onto the edges of his jacket, not wanting to wrap my arms around him or touch him any more than I need. The bike screams, and I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve been on one. Not since James got his first one against Daddy’s wishes before he went to rescue training.

We buzz right past my subdivision, and I pat Rusty on the back. “Hey, you missed my turn.”

“You said town,” he hollers back, and there’s a strange twitch to his cheek like he’s laughing at me. I don’t really want to be seen in town on the back of a bike, one that belongs to a Devil’s Edge, and more so the one belonging to Rusty Miller.

“Just U-turn up here,” I yell, but I can feel the vibration of Rusty chuckling. He accelerates and races for Main Street. Turning into town, he slows enough to make sure we’re seen by every person on the street—three blocks worth. He idles at a lower speed, but just fast enough I can’t jump off, which is exactly what I’m thinking I’ll do if he doesn’t turn us around. As we pull up to a stoplight, the oncoming traffic turns next to us, and Denton’s car passes by. My heart sinks as he does a double take before punching down his accelerator. Rusty ignores the light and U-turns while I scream. He guns it to catch Denton who must be going faster than the speed limit as Rusty certainly is. As Denton passes my subdivision, not giving it a second glance, Rusty slows and turns down the quiet street. With a shaky hand, I point to the road he can take to my place and then holler which one is mine.

“The tan one on the left.”

As he stops in front of my house, I hop off gracelessly, getting my foot stuck on the seat. I yank my leg with both hands and stomp my foot.

“Just what the hell was that?” I demand.

“Easy, beautiful.”

“Don’t call me beautiful and why would you do that?” Taking me into town was unnecessary. Rusty licks his teeth inside his mouth like he’s cleaning them. Then he speaks.

“Had I known you were the wildcat, I’d have gone for you sooner.”

My mouth falls open. “How dare you disrespect Dolores!”

“Dolores knows how things are.”

I don’t even want to know what that means. I know enough about James’s behavior to assume Rusty and Dolores aren’t exclusive although Dolores has dated no one else but Rusty for years.

“Rusty Miller, you need to be fair to Dolores.”

He chuckles before responding. “Ain’t nothing fair in this life, beautiful. Dolores knows that better than anyone.”

My fists are rising to my hips, and I’m ready to give him a lecture like only my mother can produce when I hear another bike coming down my street. James doesn’t even slow. He glides by, nods at Rusty, and continues to circle through the streets. Rusty’s lips twitch with displeasure, and he revs his bike in response.

“See ya around, pussycat,” he smirks, drifting his eyes too low on my body before lurching forward to follow James. I want to scrub myself all over from that look.

The slam of a vehicle door behind me turns my head, and I note a familiar SUV parked in my driveway. Jax stalks toward me.

Sweet Jesus, now what?

“What the hell were you doing?”