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EAGLE
Lily is fighting against the demolition of the rec center with her protester friends, who are all sons and daughters of the same exact people who make it necessary. Especially that Josh guy, who follows her around like a lovesick duckling. It’s his distant cousin or something who bought the land on which the rec center stands. And the only reason he’s here is because he’s got it bad for Lily. As do the fifteen other guys with their banners and squeaky voices shouting dumb slogans as they crowd around her. Lily does not appreciate the irony of that.
Nor does she want me anywhere near her protest.
Her father, Cross, the president of my MC, doesn’t either. She’s let it be known she doesn’t want any protection from the MC at all, ever, and he’s going along with it. At least as far as I know. But it’s not something I’d know if it was meant to be a secret. I’m nowhere near high up enough in the club for something like that.
I don’t see any of my MC brothers anywhere around here though, not now that Cross’ son and wife have left. I’m part of the detail on Hunter now, which is a step up in the hierarchy and an honor. A real vote of trust.
But I’m off for the night. My time is my own. And if I want to spend it where I have a good view of Lily, I can.
Anything can happen at one of these protests. Especially after dark. And I can’t have anything happen to her just because she’s being stubborn. I couldn’t stand it. I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish I didn’t feel that way about her. I didn’t used to, back when we were just friends, but that’s changed. It’s pointless though, because there’s no future for us, any way I look at it.
It’s almost dark, and I’m on my third overpriced beer at a fancy coffee shop with dainty glass tables and spindly, uncomfortable chairs. The type of place I’d usually avoid at all costs, in other words. But it has the best view of the parking lot and the cops are gonna show up soon to chase the protesters away. And who knows what will happen then? Especially with all these wild yuppie children who think they can go first in everything. And if the cops do get physical when they come, I doubt any of those guys slobbering in Lily’s wake will get between her and a baton.
I think I’ll go over there soon. Josh has been looking like he’s about to make his move on her, for better or worse, all day. For worse, probably, knowing Lily. But still. Besides, I feel like a dirty stalker sitting here drinking and watching her.
I wish she didn’t look so damn hot in her ripped black jeans and a loose white t-shirt tucked into them, but nowhere near loose enough to hide those perfect, tight curves of hers. I wish I didn’t feel her silky hair on the back of my hand every time she flips her head and it goes flying.
What the fuck am I thinking?
Mostly, I just wish we had a chance.
In truth, I should just walk away. I have no business lusting over the president’s daughter. She’s so far out of my reach we might as well be on opposite sides of the country.
I wave the waitress over to pay and stand up as soon as she takes the money from my hand.
Here goes nothing.
Almost a hundred people are now crowded in the parking lot in front of the rec center, Lily’s protesters joined by random passersby newly recruited to her cause. Mostly on the back of her striking beauty and sharp tongue. Mostly men.
She pierces me with her eyes as I weave my way through the crowd, and I do love it when she looks at me this way. It makes me feel like I’m the only guy in the world, noticed by the most beautiful woman in the world. She means it to scare me away.
“You didn’t leave with Hunter,” she says as I stop in front of her. So, she did notice me. Not that I doubted it. She just ignored me. “Why?”
Up close, that intense look in her eyes is even more paralyzing. I’ve known her for a long time, and back when I first met her, when she was twelve and I fourteen, that look would render me totally speechless. Just like it is now. I’ve learned to deal with it over the years, but only just.
“I don’t know,” I say, grinning at her and probably looking like an idiot. “I have some good memories of this place too. Maybe I don’t want it torn down either.”
My memories mostly consist of breaking in after hours to get online and whatnot, and smoking and drinking here on long summer nights. This parking lot and especially the metal handrail on the concrete stairs leading to the rec center’s front door was good for skateboarding. Sturdy. Maybe she remembers that too. She was there sometimes.
She’s shocked for the moment by my answer. Her eyes aren’t as intense when she’s confused. I noticed that over the years and have taken full advantage.
“Oh, you want to help,” she says, giving me one of her dazzling, glorious smiles. “Why didn’t you just say so? You can take Hunter’s banner.”
Josh has drawn closer and is now standing right behind her. Too close if you ask me. And if I’m reading the look in his innocent blue eyes right, he wants me gone.
“Sure, I’d love to,” I say, smiling right back at her.
“Plus, you know, the cops are fed up with this protest. And they might use force to remove you tonight,” I add and lock eyes with Josh. “I’m guessing you’re on your own if that happens.”
Her eyes narrow dangerously, the look in them like pure black lightning now. The thunder is about to follow.
But instead of shutting me down, she smiles even wider.
“Remember that time you thought you could take Sticks? That happened right around here somewhere,” she says sweetly. “Who saved who then?”
