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I hadn’t thought beyond driving out of the clubhouse lot. My mind was focused on the escape, not the destination.

I had my car, my clothes. I still had the Amex card Dante gave me, but leaving Dani behind meant I couldn’t use that. I had my own money. I didn’t need to hide anymore now that Dani was back with her fathers.

Dani.

My sweet girl.

Your girl?

Yes, she was mine. I was there for her. I didn’t leave her.

You’re leaving now, though.

My internal bitch was right, and I hated her for it. I was leaving. But I had to. I couldn’t stay in the clubhouse any longer. I didn’t know what I would do without her, but I couldn’t stay there. Not with them.

When I saw the little diner, I pulled in without thinking. A cup of coffee would help me think. Help me plan.

Yanking the door open, I was unprepared for the sight. Stepping over the threshold was like walking back through time. Not that I had been alive in the fifties, but I had seen enough movies and photographs that depicted the time.

The black-and-white tiled floor, the red vinyl booths. The long counter lined with stools.

It reminded me of the diner Cash and I had coffee at when I snuck out to go to the library. He always followed and hung around, waiting for me to be done. Always making sure I got home safe.

I guess I was never really sneaking out if Cash knew what I was doing and where I was going. But Gunner didn’t, so it felt a little like rebellion.

Safe rebellion.

“Sit anywhere you like, honey,” the waitress remarked as she floated by, carrying a large tray of drinks in her hands.

The counter was the logical choice since I was alone. But the diner wasn’t busy, and I wanted to sag against the back of the booth. I couldn’t have a pity party at the counter without feeling the strain on my back.

Sliding into the seat, I set my bag next to me as another waitress rushed by, dropping off a menu and asking if I wanted coffee.

“Yes, please. And a water,” I answered, hoping she heard me as she disappeared.

“Hey, Melissa, right?”

Startled by the voice, I looked up into the eyes of Ellie’s friend. I couldn’t remember her name, but I remembered her. I didn’t talk to her the day she was at the clubhouse, but I remembered how forward she was in picking up Dani without a word.

“Hi...”

“Jessie,” she supplied before sliding into the booth across from me.

The waitress came back with two coffees and two glasses of water, plus another menu, as if she knew Jessie would sit with me.

“Thanks, Ro!” Jessie took a sip of her black coffee, and I winced. I needed at least six sugars to temper the bitter taste of the crude oil in my cup. Not to mention about a gallon of cream.

“So, let’s chat,” Jessie said, leaning her arms on the table, elbows spread out, her hands clasped together in front of her chest. She reminded me of some of my teenage patients. Only her expression was one of curiosity rather than disinterest. “Ellie told me about your smackdown with Danny.”

Her words made me wince. I wasn’t proud of how I acted. To be honest, I hadn’t been proud of my actions since arriving in Nebraska.

I had been so caught up in my own shit, I still hadn’t taken the time to ask my best friend how she got hurt. This was not who I was. And exactly why I couldn’t stay here.

Being around the MC made me angry. It made me sad and hurt and so goddamn angry that I lashed out with no regard to anyone but myself.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I told her, so ashamed of how I acted I couldn’t even look at the stranger.

“Do not apologize. He deserved it.”