Final Ride (Lords of Mayhem) by Shyla Colt

Let the new generation take up the cause
he said. It shifted my priorities. He got that.”
    A buzz sounded from his phone.
    “Time to head back to the real world,” Hawk said. He
released her and rolled over, digging in the pile of clothing they had left
beside the couch to find his phone and answer it. “Yeah, Mom, I know. No I’m
not running I walked away so I could avoid exploding and making a shitty
situation worse. Yeah, I know that’s why you didn’t tell me you were coming. Who
was I with? Tiny didn’t tell you?” Hawk glanced at her. “A house mouse I
acquired. Yeah, no, don’t read too much into it.”
    The words stung. She knew it was a role, but the attraction
between them was very real. I can’t get lost in this character I’m
pretending to be. I won’t like the way it ends. “Yeah, we’ll come by the
clubhouse in a few.” He hung up and sat up, swinging his legs to the side of
the couch. “For whatever reason, Tiny wants to keep your status on the down
low, so you’ll have to watch yourself around my parents and Rayen now.” He slid
his boxers up his legs and pulled them on. “I imagine you want some time to get
cleaned up?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Go ahead. I’ll wait, but don’t take forever.”
    “I got you.” She ignored the urge to cover her body as she
sat up and moved from the couch, headed into her room for a quick shower. As
she turned on the shower she stomped out the shame creeping into her psyche. We’re
both adults, fully aware of our situations, and the man was the best sex I’ve
had ever. The time for coyness and belief in the happily-ever-after
fairytale was long gone. Boy meets girl, falls in love, and remains faithful
for the rest of his life didn’t always happen. Better to have fun now, with
your eyes wide open and your heart out of the equation. Comforted, she
stepped beneath the spray, and prepared to put on the performance of her life.
    Dressed in a pair of tiny black shorts, black cowboy boots
and a white tank top, she walked into the club beside Hawk, faking the
confidence she didn’t feel. Classic rock blared over the speakers, People were
gathered in large clusters talking, and the beer and liquor flowed. She scanned
the area and found a table of food set up. Evonne, Joey, and Juliette stood
across the room, talking. Hilary tugged on Hawk’s cut and he glanced down.
    “Can I go over there with the girls?” she said.
    He narrowed his eyes. “Might be the best place for you right
now, actually. Remember, no wandering off your own.”
    “I won’t.” She broke away from his side and weaved her way
through the crowd.
    “Look what the cat dragged in!” Joey said.
    Hilary rolled her eyes and exchanged hugs with the girls. “I
know, it’s been insane.”
    “You look pretty relaxed for someone who’s been under a lot
of stress,” Joey said.
    “Hawk’s good to me. I lucked out,” Ariel said doing her best
not to squirm under her friends’ scrutiny. They always smelled lies a mile
away.
    “How…good has he been?” Evonne said.
    “What do you mean?” Hilary said carefully schooling her face
to feign innocence.
    “Oh, she’s playing dumb now; that says it all,” Juliette
teased.
    “Why? Because I’m telling you he’s not an asshole?” Ariel
said.
    “No, because you’re using the avoidance technique you
usually call us on,” Evonne said.
    “Oh yeah, she had her a piece of Hawk. Tell us, is he as
good as he looks like he’d be?” Joey asked.
    Ariel smirked. “Better. Easily the best I’ve ever had.”
    “Slut. I always knew Ariel wasn’t that innocent,” Juliette
said.
    “Juliette!” Ariel said laughing.
    They all laughed.
    “Okay, getting sexed up aside, how are you?” Juliette said.
    “I’m better than I thought I would be. There’s something to
letting go of everything that makes you unhappy and just living your life. I
always thought it was bullshit. Some creed they spoke to justify the way
disorganized people operated.