Page 68 of 12 Months of Mayhem

“Every two hours,” she called as I shut the door behind me.

The night air was cool as I walked to my car, and my breath misted in front of me. I climbed into the driver’s seat and sighed.

Tonight wasn’t going to be great working by myself, but I’d make it through. I had been through a hell of a lot in the past four years. A couple of nights working alone would barely be a blip on the radar.

Chapter Four

Tank

“Where are you going?”

I shrugged on my leather jacket and grabbed my wallet off the dresser. “Going for a ride.”

Moose glanced at the bedside clock and lifted his brows. “It’s half past twelve.” He paused, dragging it out like I didn’t know exactly what time it was. “At night.”

“Yeah? You got a point?” I drawled and headed for the door.

Moose shook his head and leaned back against the headboard with his arms crossed over his chest. “Just be careful, man. You don’t know much about this chick other than she works at a gas station.”

“Owns a gas station,” I corrected. I’d gone by there this afternoon, talked to the woman working behind the counter, and learned that little fact.

“I don’t know who the hell owns a gas station and still works the damn graveyard shift, man. Seems like a load of shit.”

I grabbed my keys. “Yeah, well, I guess I’m gonna find out.”

Moose chuckled and settled into bed. “Turn the light off when you leave, brother. I’m gonna get some sleep while you go chase some tail.”

I laughed and flipped him off before flipping the lights off on my way out.

The night air was brisk but not cold. The kind of crispness that made it easy to breathe and would keep me alert. The motel was quiet, and the road was mostly empty except for the occasional passing car.

I walked over to my bike and threw my leg over the seat. When I cranked up the engine, the low rumble broke through the silence, and a deep vibration settled into my bones.

God, I love riding.

I let it idle for a second, then twisted the throttle and pulled onto the road.

I’d spent the better part of my day trying to keep my mind off of Maddie and threw myself into finding some temporary local work while I was in town. But no matter how much I tried to focus, my thoughts drifted back to Maddie.

It didn’t make sense.

I’d spent maybe four minutes with her at best, and yet here I was, riding through town at damn near one in the morning like I had a reason to.

The ride to the gas station was a little over half an hour. It was long enough for me to convince myself that I was just curious. That was all.

Nothing more.

I pulled up and took in the place. The station was on the small side and older. It was the kind of spot that had been around for decades. A blue awning stretched out over the pumps, faded from the sun. The overhead lights buzzed and cast a pale yellow glow over the concrete. Through the glass windows, I could see the inside—shelves stacked with snacks, a coffee station in the back, and a counter near the register.

I parked by the front door and killed the engine as I kicked the stand down before taking another look around. A guy was at one of the pumps filling his tank, while another car sat parked along the side of the building.

I remembered what the woman from this morning had said—Maddie and Diamond worked every night.

I swung my leg over the bike and headed inside.

The bell above the door jingled as I stepped in, and the familiar scent of motor oil, old coffee, and something sweet lingered in the air.

“I’ll be right there!”

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