Chapter 8 Kendra
KENDRA
My stomach twists at the sound of bikes roaring into the compound. Quentin’s back. Travis will tell him about us, and we can stop sneaking around. Our relationship will be public, and I won’t have to get up at some godawful time in the morning just so no one sees us.
“Could you grab me some more napkins?” Arlo asks.
He’s been on every shift with me and Travis and must know there’s something between us, but he keeps his expression neutral, and I hope he’s discreet long enough for Travis to speak to Quentin first.
I check the station, and we’re all out of napkins.
“I’ll get some from out back.” It’s a quiet shift, and they won’t miss me for a moment.
The supply closet is down the corridor next to the office, and as I approach, I hear the low rumble of Quentin and Travis talking.
Butterflies beat in my chest. What if they’re talking about me? I shake the thought out of my head. It’s their conversation to have in private. Opening the door to the supply cupboard, I grab the napkins and shut it quietly.
I’m about to head back to the restaurant when I hear my name.
“How’s Kendra?” asks Quentin.
I pause to listen. It’s not eavesdropping if you’re the topic of conversation, right?
“Anything I need to know about?”
I clutch my throat as the butterflies inside me beat against my chest. This is the moment that Travis tells my brother about us.
That he tells him we’re in love and we’re going to be together.
Then Quentin will slap him on the back and tell him he always wanted him to be part of the family.
They’ll have a beer together and Travis will kiss me in front of his club, claiming me as his old lady.
And all my teenage fantasies will come true.
Except that’s not what Travis says. “She’s doing okay,” he says.
My heart stops beating for a moment.
She’s doing okay.
What the hell does that mean? I was doing more than okay. When I had his cock in my mouth last night, he was singing my praises like I was a goddess.
“Nothing to report,” says Travis.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on her,” Quentin says. “I know it can’t have been fun watching my kid sister.”
Travis mumbles something that I can’t make out. But I’ve heard enough.
Nothing to report.
He was supposed to tell Quentin about us.
Tell him we love each other and want to be together.
Unless that’s not what he wants? He’s never said those words.
We’ve messed around, and he’s told me I’m sexy and beautiful and made me come so many times I lost count. But he’s never told me this is forever.
The reality comes crashing down on me. I’ve been so stupid. I’m his best friend’s kid sister. My stupid teenage fantasies have run away with me again.
Of course Travis wouldn’t be interested in a pink-haired girl who’s barely out of her teens.
He was tasked with babysitting me and thought he’d have some fun along the way.
That’s why he didn’t want anyone to see us.
That’s why he didn’t want to go all the way.
Because this isn’t some teenage romance.
This is real life, and in real life, men suck.
I’ve been so stupid. I shouldn’t have come back.
There’s movement in the office, and I quickly dart out of the way.
I take the door at the end of the corridor that leads upstairs.
Going quickly and quietly, I throw off my apron and chuck it over the end of the bed.
My stuff doesn’t take long to pack. Then I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and take the fire escape that leads to the side of the courtyard. Nobody sees me as I drop to the ground.
I keep to the shadows until I’m past the compound. Then I walk quickly down the mountain road away from the restaurant, away from the Wild Riders MC, and away from Travis.
It’s a few miles to Wild where I can get a bus to Hope and then a train to wherever the hell gets me out of here the quickest. Unless I get a ride first. Once I get around the corner, I stick out my thumb.
Life on the road is uncomplicated. There’s only myself to look out for and no stupid heart to get in the way. It was a mistake to come here.