Page 42 of Ridin' Free

I wasn’t trapped anymore.

I was free.

My vision was just beginning to clear when my phone buzzed with an alert.

Triggered, I snatched the device up in anger—but then I saw his name, and it was as if I’d been injected with a syringe full ofcalm.

How about that date?

I frowned at my screen even as a feeling of lightness filled my lungs with my next breath.

You mean the other night?

That wasn’t a date. That was a hang.

Now it’s Monday.

A hint of a smile played at my lips as my mother’s voice in my head dissipated into the distance.

Kind of short notice, don’t you think?

You got other plans?

Was thinking of starting a new book tonight…

Right. I’ll pick you up. What’s your address?

I shook my head, but I was still smiling as I set aside my mug so I could text with both thumbs.

You don’t need to pick me up. I’ll just meet you out.

I didn’t spare a thought for how he’d barely had to work to get me to concede to leaving home for the night.

Wrong again, sparky. I’m picking you up.

This time, I hesitated, my smile slipping a little as I considered his text.

The last time someone picked me up for a real date, I was nineteen. Then, he pulled up in a Porche. I much preferred the idea of a Harley—but even still, I wasn’t so sure. Whatever we were doing, I knew it was temporary. Whatever memories we created, I needed to be able to lock them away when the time came. This meant he didn’t get to come inside my home. There were some boundaries best left uncrossed.

Before I could think of a reply, my phone began to ring.

It was Twister calling.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Baby—not to freak you out, but I think we both know, if I really wanted to find out where you lived, I wouldn’t need your help. And I’m not talkin’ about askin’ Mustang, either.”

I curled my legs against my chest, wrapping an arm around my shins as I thought about what he said. He was right, and I wasn’t completely ignorant. The Stallions had their ways—whatever they were.

He’d found Tommy. Hebeat the living hellout of him. His monster sought its prey and won. Now, while it was possible his comment should have raised a red flag, the fact that he’d been so transparent about it made me trust him more. Not less.

‘I got you, sparky. You’re safe.’

“I won’t even come to the door if you don’t want me to,” he continued reassuringly. “But I’d like to pick you up. It’s my turn to take you for a ride.”

I hid my smile from no one and narrowed my eyes at him, even though he wasn’t there to see me do it. “I’m not dressin’ up. You know that, right?”

“Phoenix—I drive a hog, not a state coach. Don’t care what you wear.”