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He shoots me a warning glance. "We do. Which is why we need to pull back."
My face pulls into one of panic, but he holds down my hand. "I'm not saying we can't be friends, Lee. I'm just saying while things are happening, you can't be involved with us. It's dangerous."
I tug my hand back, disappointed when he lets me. "So, that's it. Just, goodbye then? Why are you even here then?"
Volts appears with Butch's drink, and I look between them.
"You messaged him," I say to Volts, but it's not a question.
Volts gives me a sheepish, guilty smile. "Sorry, Ry. I figured you'd want to see him."
I swallow hard, slapping my hand on the table. "This is bullshit. I'm just expected to lose all my friends and not even get a say?"
Butch gives Volts a look, dismissing him. He waits until he's out of earshot and sits back against the torn leather booth seat. "You're not losing us. Let me be clear about that. There's just a situation happening that we need to deal with. This will give you the opportunity to start afresh, with your new friends. Lee," he says, pulling my gaze back when it starts to wander. "You're not losing us."
"It feels like it though," I murmur sadly. "I've already lost so much. I just didn't think I'd lose you guys too. Even if it's onlytemporary."
Butch smiles at me warmly. "If you ever need me, you just have to call or text. I do see the messages. You're not alone, we're just hiding in the shadows. I promise you that."
I nod, letting out a tiny sigh. "I understand. As long as it's not goodbye forever."
"Nothing's forever, Lee. It's just a little bump in the road. You'll be back kicking all our asses in poker before you know it."
Butch leaves before me, as I can't be bothered seeing him drive off. I stay in the booth, listening to the sounds of his bike rev and take off down the road.
Volts stays behind the bar, sensing I need space. A few other bikers have started to come in, so he's keeping busy serving them.
"No use having a pity party," I mumble to myself, forcing my body to move as I start to leave one Butch has gone. Phoebe will be wondering where I am, and right now, bread dick and vodka sounds pretty amazing.
I wave goodbye to Volts, his puppy-dog eyes giving me a goodbye as he chats to some guys at the bar.
Heading out, I cover my eyes as the sun hits my face. It's bright, but I can just make out my tires from under hand as I walk across the gravel to the Chevy.
I fiddle with the keys in my back pocket, fishing them out as I head towards the driver's door. As I reach the hood, a pair of feet come into view, making me halt.
Immediately, I'm on edge as images of Leo flash in my mind, and I quickly whip my hand away from my eyes, forcing myself to adjust to the sunlight.
I blink at the figure standing by my car door, his own keys in his hand as he twirls them casually.
"Hello, little sister," Asher says, giving me a look over. "It's been too long."
I momentarily forget how to breathe, chills rushing through me at the sight of him. I'm overcome with a range of emotion, but nothing stands out more than the hot, blinding anger I feel coursing through my veins.
"Get out of the fucking way, Asher," I snarl, taking a step towards him.
The asshole is blocking my door, a tactic I'm sure he planned deliberately.
Asher holds his hands up. "I just want to talk, Rylee. That's all."
"Get fucked."
I walk around to the passenger door, determined to climb over the seats if I have to. Asher senses what I'm doing and rushes around the front of the car after me.
I've just gotten the key in and unlocked the door, and started to pull it open when his hand reaches pass me, slamming it shut. I flip around, cursing myself at letting my stupidity allow me to be boxed in by Asher once again.
He rests his hands on the metal on either side of me, a feat I'm sure is challenging since the car door is burning into my back. Asher opens his mouth to speak but I hold up my key, silencing him.
"I will use force as necessary, if you don't get out of my way."
