My emotions were still a mess. I was still hurting and feeling the sting of laughter and insults thrown my way while I was covered in rotting blood and reeking like crap.
I didn’t see Luke on the way out. The staircase and hallways were quiet and empty as Corey and Caleb led me outside to their bikes.
Anxiety settled in my gut. Corey promised they didn’t hurt Luke but I couldn’t be sure.
Deep inside I knew I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if he got hurt because of me. He was such a good friend to me. I wouldn’t have been able to escape Noah’s trap without his help tonight.
“Come on,” said Caleb. “You’re sitting behind me.”
“Hey, not fair,” Corey complained at once. “She’s never once sat with me.”
“That’s why she’ll feel safer with me.”
Why were they suddenly caring about what I wanted? Was something waiting for me back at my apartment? Corey had the key after all...
“Get on, Milla,” Caleb’s deep voice jerked me from my thoughts.
They were on their bikes, waiting for me to get on.
Moving forward, I swung my leg over Caleb’s bike and awkwardly climbed it. Corey sniggered at me but Caleb kept the bike steady, helping me settle myself securely behind him.
“Ready?” Caleb asked.
“Yeah.” My arms wrapped around his waist tightly as the powerful engine came to life.
Soon, we were passing through a pair of tall gilded gates and shooting toward a deserted highway. My hold on Caleb’s waist tightened as he accelerated.
Cold wind gushed past me. The world around me turned into a blur and I could almost imagine myself being transported to a different place.
Maybe that’s why riders loved their bikes so much. The speed and thrill acted like drugs, making them forget about the cold, cruel world around them.
Relief spread through me when the bike slowed down, giving me a glimpse of the residential apartment buildings that lined the street. Corey and Caleb kept their promise to bring me home.
The bike came to a stop outside the building where I lived.
I climbed off the bike and waited for Corey and Caleb to dismount as well.
Corey took off his helmet and shook his head, freeing his dark locks. He grinned at me. “You okay?”
“Give me my key,” I said, extending my hand toward him.
“What’s the rush?” Caleb asked. “We brought you this far. We can climb a couple of stairs and take you inside.”
“I don’t want you guys following me,” I said. “My roommate’s probably back from her trip.”
“Are boys banned?” Caleb asked.
“No, but I don’t think she’ll like me bringing strange men into the apartment.”
“Strange men?” Corey chuckled. “If she goes to Silverlake, she’ll know who we are.”
I stayed quiet, knowing I’d lost the argument.Everyoneknew who Caleb and Corey were.
“Come on,” said Caleb, walking inside the dim interiors of the old apartment building.
Corey wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me alongside him.
Defeated, I let them lead the way up the stairs to my apartment on the fourth floor.