“What the fu…”
Kaity swung her foot again, connecting harder. Blaine screamed and grabbed himself. He fell back until he hit a wall. Then he laughed. The crazy son of a bitch laughed.
“Okay,” he said. “I get it, sweetheart.”
Kaity forced herself to sit up. She felt disgusting. She felt like Blaine’s smell would be tattooed on her body forever. She wanted to burn the clothes she wore.
When Blaine started to walk toward her again, Kaity lifted her foot. Blaine grabbed her foot and smiled.
“Calm down,” he said. “I do crazy shit, sweetheart, but only to those who are willing.”
Kaity lowered her foot. Blaine slowly sat next to her on the bed.
“I’m sorry,” Kaity whispered.
“I know,” Blaine said. “You’ll never know what it’s like. But that’s your loss, not mine.” Blaine looked at Kaity. “I can’t tell you a thing about Erik. Not my place. But damn, if this is something you want, sweetheart, you better have a big heart and a big fight in you. He’s in a dark place right now. Stuck between living and dying. And he has every right to be.”
“Maybe I’m the same way,” Kaity said.
Blaine reached and ran his thumb down Kaity’s cheek. “Nah. You’re too beautiful. Don’t forget what I said though. He’s not coming back tonight. If you sleep, you’re alone. I’m going to take off, sweetheart. Need to find someone to help with my own situation.”
“Okay.”
Kaity leaned in and kissed Blaine’s cheek.
“Watch yourself,” he warned. “My cock is throbbing.”
“Just go,” Kaity said.
Blaine stood and left the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Kaity sat there alone for a few minutes, not sure again whether to cry or scream. She looked to her right and saw the pillows. It had been a while since she was able to sleep in a bed. It could do some good. Tomorrow she would get her car and be done with all this.
Kaity turned off the light and got into the bed. The darkness blanketed her. The bed smelled of sex and Erik. She gripped the sheets tight and wished Erik would come into the room… and come into her.
Before Kaity fell asleep, a thought came to her.
What am I doing here?
eleven.
The next morning Kaity was awake early. She was still tired but couldn’t sleep. Nothing felt right. The other side of the bed was empty. When she looked at the door she couldn’t help but wonder what Erik was doing. Where he was. If that woman was still with him. Or if they did more last night.
It made Kaity angry. She refused to believe she was jealous.
Jealous of what?
It wasn’t like she and Erik were… whatever.
Kaity opened the door and walked the same path as the night before. Last time she thought she would find Erik with the rest of the bikers. She thought she would do something seductive and flirty - bite her lip, touch herself gently, anything to get Erik’s attention - and then they would have spent the night in his bed.
This morning was much different.
Kaity counted six men asleep at tables. Some were face down in their own arms. Other had their arms dangling and their cheeks pressed against the table.
And then there was Erik.
Sitting in the same spot as the night before, Erik had his head back as he slept. One hand gripping the arm of the couch, the other on the couch. Kaity crept forward and let out a small whimper when she saw that Erik’s pants were still unzipped. For a split second she thought about reaching in them. She wanted to show Erik what he had missed out on last night. It made no sense to her why he decided to have some random woman pleasure him instead of her. Unless Erik was with someone and never said anything.
The thoughts felt like a weight on Kaity’s chest. She turned and moved away from Erik.
“Hey, do you want some coffee?”
Kaity froze and spotted a guy behind the bar. He was wide eyed, smiling; definitely not a real biker kind of guy.
“Sure.”
The guy poured a cup of coffee and put the sugar and creamer on the bar.
“Are you with Erik?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Kaity said. “I guess.”
“You his old lady?”
“No.”
The guy nodded. “Maybe soon. Have a good morning and let me know if you’re hungry.”
Kaity took the coffee black and walked to the clubhouse door. She walked outside and the already warm morning sun spread across her face. She could smell the ocean breeze. Seagulls cawed as they flew above, awake and making plans for their busy day of gathering scraps.
Kaity walked to the line of motorcycles and stood there. She sipped the coffee and wrinkled her nose. It tasted like shit, but it was coffee. She needed the caffeine. The line of motorcycles was really cool and intimidating. She reached out and touched the front wheels on a few of them. How many of these rides had seen blood? Bullets? Had been part of someone dying?