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“You ready to get out of here?” Trenton gives my thigh a squeeze. The gesture is intimate. Familiar almost. So much so, it’s almost too easy to forget that I’m not here as his date and he brought me out of courtesy.
“Yeah.” I dig out my wallet. “Let me know what I owe you.”
“It’s on me.”
“I insist on paying my part.”
“You can make me some brownies or something when I move in. You know, be all neighborly and shit.”
“Fair enough,” I tell him, knowing there’s no way in hell I’m baking him anything. Today doesn’t make us friends. I don’t trust him, and I’m still not convinced that he didn’t have anything to do with the note on my car or my flat tire. Coincidences happen, but this all seems staged.
Like he wanted me to need him so he could swoop in and play my hero. Show me that he’s a nice guy. Now this. Lunch with his friends and Bianca just happened to be one of them. I mean, he did not know that I’d want pizza or a ride. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have this setup in case or that he wouldn’t have suggested it. Or maybe I’ve been so invested in true crime that I think everyone has an ulterior motive. After the shit Jacob pulled on me and losing my sister, it’s hard for me to trust anyone or let them even partially in.
We say our goodbyes and I make plans to meet up with Bianca soon for another partnership.
Trenton hands me the helmet and stuffs my purse back in his saddlebag. “Anywhere else you need to go or want to go?”
I shake my head. “I think we should quit while we’re ahead.” I have a cleaning job, but I can reschedule for tomorrow. It’s not that big of a deal.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” The guy called Smoke who is with the Ember chick Trenton has the hots for interrupts.
“Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
I nod and watch the two of them stalk off to the other end of the parking lot. Whatever they are discussing, this guy definitely doesn’t want me to eavesdrop on them. His girlfriend stands awkwardly off to the side.
She stares at me a little too long for my comfort before she finally blurts out, “So, as T-bird’s best friend, I have to ask. Are you into him?”
“Are you?”
Her eyes narrow. “Not in the way you’re implying.”
“Does he know that?”
“I’d hope so. There’s nothing romantic between us. If I did something to give you that impression, then I didn’t mean to. He’s a really great guy and I think you guys would look cute together. I’ve been with Smoke for over six months, and we live together. I’m hoping he’s going to make things official at some point. I’m just not quite there yet. He’s been married before and he’s my first serious relationship. Wow, listen to me unloading all of this on you. Anyway, this is none of your business. I was just going to say that he’s a nice guy and that you should give him a chance.”
“Thanks for sharing, I guess. I’m not ready to be in a relationship with T-bird,” I mock how she says the nickname, “or anyone. I had a pretty nasty breakup earlier this year, and that’s none of your business either, but I am not interested in dating a biker that may or may not have played some role in my sister’s death.”
“Wait what?”
“Did you miss the part where he told everyone that my sister is Shiloh?”
Her mouth falls open, then snaps shut. “I guess I did, but that explains why we probably will never like each other.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your sister was a real piece of work. And for your information, T-bird had nothing to do with what happened to her. He was with me the night she died. He drove me home from a party at the clubhouse. She did everything she could to come between Smoke and me. I wish I could say I’m sorry for your loss, but she was a bitch who wanted to spread her misery.”
I place the helmet on the seat of the motorcycle and step toward her. “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I plant a hand on her chest and give her a shove.
“Don’t put your hands on me.” She shoves me back, and on reflex, I grab her by her hair.
She swings on me, nailing me in the temple with a right hook I wasn’t expecting. The two of us go at each other slapping and scratching, tearing at each other’s clothes and skin.
“Yo. What the fuck?” I think it’s Bianca’s husband that grabs me around the waist and yanks me back, but I still have a hold on this bitch’s hair.
“Let go,” Ember screeches.
“Take back what you said about my sister.”
