Page 19 of His Flawed Ride

She cringes and I’m not blind, that I don’t see I’ve upset her. “Look, you’re a cool girl and I like hanging out with you, but you’re not my old lady. I don’t have to tell you shit.”

“You know what, you’re right. Just go.”

I turn to leave but then stop. “Are you cool? I don’t want to upset you, I’m just not looking for more than…”

“A quick fuck.”

“It’s not always quick.” I snort.

Rolling her eyes, she waves me off. “I’ll see you around, Shane.”

With Stevie dealt with I walk around the corner, and Lily is talking with her brother. I’m heading to my truck as Slade calls out, “Shane! Are you headin’ into town tonight?”

I wasn’t planning on it but I find myself saying, “Yeah. What do you need?”

“Can you give my sister a ride to her motel? Her car’s fucked.”

“Sure.”

I jump in the truck and slam the door. I bring the engine to life as Slade walks Lily over and opens the passenger door for her. She scoots in and he closes the door.

“Every day will be easier, remember that.”

“I will.”

Slade tips his chin and I’m good to go. I don’t know what I’m expecting but driving away from the club, it’s silent. I turn the radio on and roll through the stations until something other than oldie music fills the truck. It’s still not enough. Her silence is enough to drown out the music.

“Usually I don’t keep running into my one-night stands,” I tease to break it.

She snorts. “Well, itismy luck to fuck a club brother, so maybe it’s my bad luck rubbing off on you.”

“I must’ve been more wasted than I thought to miss your sparkling personality.”

She doesn’t look at me and I return to looking out at the road.

“You weren’t interested in my personality. Men are only interested in one thing, and it’s always been between my legs.”

I wish I could remember how it felt between her legs. I say nothing and push down harder on the gas. As we approach town, darkness has fallen, and I can’t wait to sink a few beers.

She goes from slouched in her seat to sat straight. “Drop me off at Josie’s.”

I’m already turning the steering wheel to turn into the motel when she leans over and yanks the wheel.

“What the fuck!”

“Josie’s! Take me to the bar.”

This is strange. There’s nothing obvious out of place at the motel that I can see. The parking lot is half filled with cars and a couple of motorcycles, and the manager fixing the vacancy sign.

A few moments later I pull into Josie’s and kill the engine. She doesn’t move to get out and cranks her neck to look out the back window. I check the mirrors and there’s no one behind us. The streets are quiet this evening.

“Are you good?” I ask her.

“I’m fine.” It’s clearly a lie but I leave it alone. “You can go now.” She throws open her door, and making sure she has her purse, she jumps out and heads toward Josie’s.

I was going to hit Snakes bar tonight, but I decide to stick around. It’s the usual suspects in tonight and I slide onto a stool beside Lily at the bar.

Evey time someone walks in, she jumps and then relaxes when it’s not who she thinks it is. I’ve guessed that someone’s in town that she doesn’t want to see. Could it be an ex-boyfriend? I can’t think of anyone else that could spook her like this, but then again, I don’t know anything about this woman apart from I woke up beside her one time.