Page 92 of Guarding Glenda

“So they did see us,” I said, blowing a breath through puffed cheeks. My pulse was already fast, and seeing them only made it worse.

“It’s cool, it’s cool,” Allie said as she pulled onto the side of the road in the grass.

Hammer started to walk to the driver’s side. Looking around, I didn’t see their bikes. Bama waited in front of the SUV, shaking his head.

Allie had her hand on one of her guns and rolled the window down. “Can I help you?”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Hammer asked, planting his hands along the car window.

Allie shrugged. “You wouldn’t tell her anything, so we came to find out for ourselves.”

“I have enough to deal with without making sure you two don’t get killed. Go on back to the clubhouse.”

“Fuck you,” she deadpanned.

Hammer wiped his hand down his face then looked over at Bama. “Will you talk to them?”

Bama walked over next to Hammer. “Allie, what the fuck are you doing? Sorry to say this, but Glenda’s in no shape to be around a gun fight.”

I leaned up. “So there is something happening? What the fuck is going on?”

Bama shook his head. “Just go to the clubhouse. We don’t have time for this.”

Allie lifted the gun in her right hand and cocked it, aiming it right at Hammer. But he didn’t flinch. He stared hard, his lips a thin line. The muscle in his jaw ticked beneath the short stubble on his face.

Bama reached in, but she pulled it back. “Watch it, brother. I’m high as a kite. Ain’t no telling what I’ll accidentally do.”

“Goddammit, Allie,” Bama said, his voice slightly raised but not too loud. “Are you fucking crazy? Get out of here. We gotta go.”

Hammer didn’t move and he and Allie were having a staring match when shots sounded nearby.

Bama said, “Fuck.” Then he pulled out his phone.

I asked, “Is Leigh in there? Did something happen to him? You owe me this, Hammer.”

His eyes didn’t move from Allie. “He is. So we,” he said, finally looking away from her and motioning between him and Bama, “need to go and I can’t be worrying about you two. Stay back.”

“What’re you gonna do?” Allie asked. “Toss him on the back of your bike? You need my ride.”

“Fine,” he said through clenched teeth. He leaned in closer and grabbed her chin.

Her ponytail swayed as she jerked away.

“You park over there and stay the fuck out here. I’ll call you when you can pull in.”

She put the SUV in drive and pulled over where Hammer had pointed. It was off the road and on the driveway, but snuggled into some trees. As he stepped away from us, she killed the lights before parking and turning the engine off.

Bama and Hammer took one last look; Bama motioned to stay put, then they both took off down the weathered and broken driveway.

My mind was reeling.

“Hey, you still with me?” Allie asked.

“They have him, Allie. What if he’s dead?” My hand reached over, gripping her arm. “I didn’t even tell him. I should have told him, but I didn’t!”

“Hey, hey, hey! Stop!” She turned in her seat. “He’s not dead, alright? They’re gonna find him.”

“You don’t know that!” A single tear rolled down my cheek. “You can’t tell me that! What if they’re too late?” My hands were shaking. “I should’ve told him.”