Page 19 of The Biker's Virgin
‘How was your shift?’
“My shift was great, but the drive home was shit,’ Maddie said, leaning against the car. The night was warm and Olivia stood on the driveway in her bare feet, enjoying the warmth of the pavement.
“Really? There shouldn’t be any traffic at this time of night.”
Maddie turned and appeared to be surveying the night sky. “There – see that glow over there, toward the industrial area?”
“Wow, what is that?”
“Apparently a factory exploded. There are fire trucks everywhere.”
“It’s a good thing it’s out in the middle of nowhere,” Maddie said, leaning against the car. She picked at her short fingernails.
“Yeah, there’s rumors that it was a drug lab.”
“Really, a drug lab – in Torver?”
“Seriously, kid?”
“What?!”
“You’re just so naïve. Don’t ever change.” Maddie smiled and kicked at the edge of the lawn with her flip flops, her perfectly manicured toenails glinting in the light of the garage.
“I’m not that naïve,” Olivia said, unconvincingly.
“Oh yes, you are. Hey, can I ask you something?”
“You’re going to anyway, so shoot.”
Maddie fidgeted with the sleeve on her sweater and bit her lip like she was searching for words. Olivia looked at her questioningly. Maddie never held back with her, and it was clear that she was about to broach an uncomfortable subject.
“Has Mr. Tunbridge ever been inappropriate with you?” Maddie asked quietly.
“Well, he cancelled a lesson last week because I was one minute late,” she said angrily.
“That’s not what I mean Liv. I mean, has he ever touched you in a way that’s not appropriate for a teacher/student relationship?”
“What? No. Not at all. He’s a jerk, but all he’s ever done is be a super tough teacher.”
Maddie exhaled in relief. She turned and hugged Olivia. “Just keep an eye on him. Something isn’t right with that man, I can tell.”
“I can take care of myself.”
Maddie smiled and pulled Olivia in even closer. “I know you can. But if that man lays a hand on you, you tell me.”
“I will.”
Maddie smiled and squeezed her sister’s shoulder and started to walk into the house.
“Hey Maddie?” she called after her sister.
Maddie turned and looked at her sister questioningly. She could see the tears welling up in her eyes. She rushed back to her sister and grabbed her by the arms.
“What is it? He did touch you, I knew it!”
Olivia shook her head. “Mads, I wish I wasn’t so naïve. I really do. I’ve heard that Mr. Tunbridge does trade favors for auditions, but I always figured I was too plain to be harassed by him. A blessing in disguise.”
“Liv. You are beautiful. I wish that you could see that. Hell, you even caught the eye of that hot biker, Blaine, when he had that tramp with him. Not everyone wants a woman to look like sex on a stick.”
