Page 16 of The Biker and the Loner
Is he stalking me? There’s no chance he justhappenedto be here. This pub caters to the hipsters and the preppy ones, more of a younger, snobbier crowd. Not at all a place where big, bad bikers come to hang out. Especially big, bad bikers turned big, bad, unkillable soldiers.
In his dark denim, shitkicker boots, muscle-clinging shirt, and Den of Heathens jacket, he quite obviouslydoesn’tbelong, sticking out like a sore thumb. But he has that defiant don’t-give-a-shit look on his face, so I’m sure he’s aware of that.
His stare is a dare. Intimidating. Challenging.
I don’t know what he wants from me. I’ve never known.
He used to call me often during his first deployment. Sometimes I picked up, sometimes I didn’t. He would force me to talk about myself—my family, my studies, my aspirations, my father, what book I was reading... I indulged him because I figured he was lonely or even terrified over there and conversations with me were probably his way of getting his mind off of it. Though I would often wonder why he chose to call me instead of Kendra or Grunt.
Scratch and I had never been friends. For me, he’d been my biggest crush, and for him, I’d been a “crazy bitch.” On random occasions, we were forced to spend time together if I was too drunk to drive and Grunt couldn’t take me home himself and asked Scratch to do it.
Beyond that, all we’d had was one night of deflowering and revealed secrets. So I couldn’t understand why he wanted so much from me all of a sudden.
Still, I’d allowed him to reel me in bit by bit, phone call after phone call. Soon, I started to care too much. The infatuation I harbored before quadrupled, and I began to miss something we never even had. I found myself looking forward to his calls, and when they didn’t come for long stretches, I’d suffer crazy anxiety until he rang.
It became too much for me. I caredtoomuch. Frettedtoomuch.
Worried that he would die, worried that he would survive. Sleepless nights. Depression and apprehension between the weeks and weeks before his next call. I had to cut it off. No more calls.No more.
I simply couldn’t handle playing the army girlfriend. I’d gotten too close and needed toundothat so I could live my days without fretting about him.
Now he’s back and he’s making sure I know that and see it.
I jerk my eyes away from his soul-stripping stare only because my phone buzzes on the table, snagging my attention. Feeling released—because damn if that stare didn’t hold me hostage just now—I snatch it up and check the screen.
Kendra:Hey boo! How’s Zac’s debut going?
Me:They. Are. Killing it.
Kendra:Woot woot! So wish I was there
Me:I recorded some of it for you. We miss you. When are you coming home?
Kendra:In a few weeks. We’ve got a couple more appearances.This game launch is a pain in my ass
Me:The payout is worth the pain *money bag emoji*. You’re getting like zillions of dollars to just show up. Like, literally that’s all you do. Show up.
Kendra:Don’t forget answering questions. Tons. I HATE answering questions
Me:But… *money bag emoji*
Kendra:LOL
Kendra:So, which of Zac’s pussy pets are you babysitting this time?
Me:Some chica named Mindy. I had to lie and say I’m his cousin. Long story. I’ll tell you over Skype tomorrow.
Kendra:He’s such a slut. I still think he’ll settle down for you though
Me:Not happening.
Kendra:Dream killa! *sad face emoji*
Kendra:If you date him we could be like in-law sisters. Or something
Me:I’m three years older than him!
Kendra:And?
