Page 57 of My Hotshot

Lainey finally glanced back. “Well, yeah. I mean, IknowDuane. The rest are his friends.” She paused. “It doesn’t really matter.”

Lottie tilted her head. “How do five hot bikersnotmatter?”

“Lainey,” Yarder called, his tone calm but commanding. “Let’s wrap this up and get back to the clubhouse.”

“Clubhouse?” Lottie echoed. “What’s that?”

“We’re not going to the clubhouse,” Lainey shot back instantly.

“Yeah, we are,” Yarder said. His voice was low. Final. “Pack a bag. You’re coming back with us.”

Lainey turned, arms crossed. “No.”

Yarder didn’t flinch. “You can come willingly, or I’ll carry you.”

Lottie blinked. “Okay, I don’t know what’s going on, but I think we should do whatever Mr. Scary says.”

“Lainey…” I stepped toward her. “Please. Just come to the clubhouse for the night. We’ll talk more there.”

Her eyes locked onto mine. I couldfeelher walls going up.

Five hours ago, we were tangled up in each other and promised to figure it out because we were worth the work.

Now she looked like she didn’t recognize me.

“One night,” she said finally.

Thankfuck.

I didnotwant to see Yarder toss her over his shoulder.

We all left the station. The guys mounted their bikes and rumbled back onto the road. I drove the SUV behind them andglanced into the rearview mirror, where Lainey and Lottie sat side by side in the backseat.

The silence was thick.

Then Lottie leaned forward.

“So… can I get the condensed version of what I missed while I stole a car and ran it out of gas?”

Lainey groaned.

“Are you the one who’s been drinking the beers in the garbage can?” she asked me.

“What?” Lainey gasped.

Lottie blinked. “You don’t drink beer, Mom. But there were empty cans.” Lottie pointed to me. “They are biker man’s.”

Lainey looked stunned. I hadn’t exactly hidden them, but I didn’t think Lottie would be examining the garbage.

“Yeah,” I admitted. “They’re mine.”

Lottie squinted. “Okay… how did you meet my mom, and why did your scary friend insist we go to your playhouse?”

“Clubhouse,” Lainey and I said at the same time.

“Same difference,” Lottie muttered.

I caught Lainey’s eye in the mirror. She shook her head.

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