Enough(54)

Lila strapped on her helmet, and I sped away from the memory of her panic and my own failure. I should’ve told her something of my past, it wasn’t so different from hers. At her place, we hurried upstairs and I took her to bed. My phone rang just as I was about to drift to sleep.

“Hey, I need you to run to Wichita and help Romeo,” Jericho said.

“I’ll be out in a few.” I hung up and Red stirred in bed, opening an eye. “I gotta jet, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I leaned down and kissed her.

“Bye, miss you.” She spoke in a sleepy voice.

I let myself out of her place and headed to my bike. I fucking hated to travel, it made me all kinds of pissed-off and stressed me the hell out. It was hard enough to navigate life where I knew everything and everyone. But I’d done it before, and would do it again.





Chapter Sixteen: Lila

When Dare came back from the club on Monday, his dark mood kept everyone away. After our sweet Sunday evening, I’d expected something else. Zayn said club business made him pissy, but it was hard not to take it personally. Later that night, he admitted he had to travel out of town for the club, apparently not his favorite activity. I wasn’t exactly excited to see him go because I’d become used to having him close. Four days without him would feel like forever. As I watched him ride away, I was sure Friday would never come.

I diverted myself with lunches with Rachel on Monday and Wednesday. She had found a girl toy, her words, to occupy her nights, and I was happy for her. My social life was hopping even without Dare, but it didn’t stop me missing him and our regular sessions in bed. My vibrator got a workout but now that I knew how lacking those orgasms were, it only made me want Dare more.

Thursday was terrible. I missed him but was afraid to call. I moped around the shop until even Rock told me I was bringing him down. About four o’clock, Andi, the old lady I’d met at the party, stopped by to see me.

“Hey, girlfriend.” Her cheery smile made me unhappy. “You look like someone kicked your dog and stole your best friend.”

“How do you do it? With your guy gone so long?” I tried not to whine, but it sounded a bit whiny.

“Whiskey was military before he joined Romeo’s team. It’s old hat for me, I guess. He loves what he does, and I love him.”

She made it sound so simple and made me feel about an inch tall. I was a mess over Dare’s four-day absence and she went months at a time knowing he was in danger. “I want to be you when I grow up.”

“Honey, doesn’t everybody.” She laughed. “Now, you and I have shopping to do, and men to forget.”

I didn’t think it was possible for my bad mood to improve, but that was her problem.

“Come on, Rock called and made me promise to take you away.”

I turned and gave Rock the stink-eye. He lurked by the door and shrugged at me. “You’re bringing me down. I’ll handle the shop, you go find some happy.”

“Fine.” I grabbed my bag from under the counter and grinned at Andi. “Tell me that shop across the street is on our list.”

We crossed the street to Black Label, with Andi talking all the time. “You mean you haven’t been here? It’s total biker-babe city. And the owner has funky hair and a huge smile. It’s the best.”

A bell that sounded like the dinging bell on a bike chimed when we walked through the front door.

“I’m in back,” someone yelled from the back of the store somewhere.

Andi grabbed my arm. “You have to see her private stash. The sexiest underwear ever.” She pulled me through the maze of clothing racks, not even letting me stop when I saw a leather jacket I really needed to buy. Andi pushed through a swinging door and everywhere I looked beautiful lingerie hung on hangers or was displayed on tables.

A bright-blue-haired girl smiled at us. “I love naughty biker girls. I just got in a new shipment, you’ll be the first to see it.” She winked and the three studs in her eyebrow flashed light.

I bought a sexy leather number that was way outside my budget and several tees more fitted than my normal style. After Andi and I checked out, we headed to my place to drop off our bags. Before the night was over we’d hit three stores in town and driven to Ardmore for dinner. It was well after nine by the time I opened the door to my apartment tired but in a much better mood.

* * *

By five o’clock Friday, I jumped at every sound. Dare hadn’t said when he’d be home, and he hadn’t called. Of course, I hadn’t called him either.

Zayn often updated me on Dare’s schedule, but today he’d been silent, and had left an hour ago. Rock and Weasel were in back—no way would I ask either of them.