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Hendrix had picked me up from home this morning before taking me to the bar. Parker met us, and I drove here with him when we finished our work for the day. I hadn’t thought about getting home, and clearly neither had the guys.
I couldn’t stay over because I needed to wake up early to get to the bar for the electrician.
Calder nodded, heading for the back door in the kitchen. Next to it hung a row of hangers and he took a set of keys from it. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”
I turned my head toward the doorway that led into the living room. “I should say goodbye first.”
Maybe Hen or Parker would convince me it was a bad idea to go with him. Maybe they’d tell me they’d wake up early enough and take me to my car.
Calder shot me a pointed look, shaking his head. “Hurry up. I don’t have all night.”
I bit my lip, but hurried into the living room where Hendrix and Parker were in a heated discussion about who sunk the eight ball. “Guys.”
They snapped their heads toward me.
“Calder offered to take me home,” I told them.
“You don’t want to stay?” Parker asked, brushing a hand through the long locks of his hair that had fallen free from the ponytail he was sporting.
I shook my head. “I’ve got to be up early for the electrician.”
Hendrix looked past me, to where I was sure Calder was standing. I didn’t have to turn around to know. They stared silently, a conversation happening between them. Then, Hendrix turned to me. “Be safe.”
Parker headed for me, wrapping me up and peppering kisses along my neck and cheek. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded, pulling from his touch. Then, I followed Calder outside and onto the bike. Once he was settled, the engine revving, I climbed onto the back, a scream caught in my throat as he lunged out of the driveway.
My fingers dug into the leather on his jacket as I clung onto him for dear life. He was going too fast. If my grip loosened, I’d be sent flying through the air. The mountain road was narrowing in, coming to a curve that would make me fucking nervous to drive in a car even in the middle of the day, with the bright sun there to light the path.
This was insane. He was insane. I knew he was an asshole, I didn’t know he had a death wish.
He’d given me his helmet, so if I flew off and landed against a tree, I’d at least have a pretty face at my funeral. Even if my head wasn’t attached to my body. Still, I couldn’t deny the rush of adrenaline that was coursing through my veins.
The way my heart pounded with each tight turn of the road, and I squeezed Calder tighter.
The way the engine roared to life beneath me, that odd feeling when your brain knows this is bad, but your body is humming with electricity. The feeling of being alive. I wasn’t worried about anything other than holding onto him.
I didn’t want to acknowledge that these emotions were turning into something… more. Something I didn’t quite get. Calder was an asshole to me. He made it clear he didn’t like having me around, so why was I wanting to keep holding him even when he’d bring the bike to a stop?
He was being so reckless, and I hated that I was enjoying it. Hated that I was drawn to a man who didn’t treat me with any semblance of respect. It was as if all the progress I made, all the courage it took to leave one toxic relationship meant nothing if I was so willing to get onto the back of another's bike.
There was a stark difference that I chose to narrow in on. Calder may have been mean to me, but he still made sure I got home safe.
The bike came to a stop, and I realized we’d pulled up to the house. The adrenaline coursing through my veins was causing my brain to short circuit, and I was sure my heart had stopped beating for a second. It was enough to remind myself that I needed to be angry, not turned on.
Calder’s feet hit the ground, letting me know it was safe to dismount. I climbed off the bike and yanked the helmet off my head. My hair fell around my face as I shoved the helmet into his chest.
He caught it, a deep chuckle rumbling up his chest. “What’s the matter, vixen? Cat got your tongue?”
The way he said that word. Vixen. Like he was teasing me despite knowing the sheer terror he instilled in me. Not to mention that I now had a nickname from three of these men. Did it mean that he was in on whatever was happening with Parker and Hendrix?
Was this some type of game to them? I couldn’t think clearly enough to decipher what it all meant.
I glared at him and he continued to smirk at me, like he was doing me some sort of favor. I wanted to scream. Instead, I shoved at his shoulders.
“You could have gotten us killed,” I cried out, tears threatening to fall.
I wanted everyone to know what a complete and utter asshole this man was. Calder chuckled. He pushed the kickstand down to keep his bike upright. Then he cut the engine and climbed off. Heat creeped up my neck as he towered over me, a dark look in his eyes. Calder was tall. Taller than the others. And his muscles were more defined. Bigger than even rock climbing Parker.
