5. Half-Truths

Five

Half-Truths

Axle

All the men are outside cleaning their motorcycles. After replacing the back tire on mine, I hear a chuckle, then peer up to see Cash looking at me, amused.

"What?" I ask him, wondering why he has that stupid look on his face.

"Didn't you just replace the back tire?"

A smile curves across my lips. "Yes, I did." I love doing power skids, burnouts, and wheelies. It's who I am. The adrenaline rush is pure ecstasy.

"Are you ever going to grow out of your daredevil ways?" he asks, though the smile pulling at his lips suggests he already knows the answer to that question.

"Never! You should know that by now."

Cash and I spent years in the military together. It's how we met. He knows me well. I'm always doing reckless things, especially on my motorcycle. I've never cared about my safety—I'm always searching for the next thrill.

After cleaning my motorcycle, I step aside. "What a sexy beast," I say.

"Mine's sexier," says Viper.

I laugh loudly. "You wish... My exhaust is louder." My phone chimes inside my pocket. "Oh, look out, it's the wife," I say, ensuring Viper can hear.

He scoffs. "Oh fuck off!"

"It's true," I say smugly, then glance at Elena's profile picture again. Dayum, she's hot. She's much too innocent for me, but I don't give a shit. "Check it out yourself then."

Viper steps over to me and snatches my phone. I see him swiping and going through the messages.

He laughs. "You sound like an absolute pussy. Though I guess that's the point." He keeps swiping. "Jesus, you have been talking a lot. Did you ask her how church was?"

"Yeah, I did actually..."

His eyes flash wide. "You didn't?"

I chuckle. "No, but I told her I liked her necklace. I told you Viper—you're losing our bet."

"We'll see," he says. "Are we still organizing the party here?"

I nod sharply. "We sure are."

"What did the messages say?" Cash asks as he steps toward us. The whole MC knows of my bet with Viper. I've been bragging about my charm to anyone who will listen. Viper's going to lose. I'm going to make sure of it.

"She just moved here," Viper answers. "She works at a restaurant and enjoys reading." Viper's smile is huge. "She might be able to teach you."

"Really funny, aren't you?" I say sarcastically to the prick.

"Yep," he says. "She's into happily ever afters... you're going to break her virgin heart."

Virgin? Shiiit. I don't know whether it would be a good thing or a bad thing... not that I've asked yet. A weird sensation flickers through my chest. Perhaps it's guilt, but it leaves as quickly as it came.

Viper carries on reading, then peers back at Cash. "Axle makes a lame joke about him only reading motorcycle magazines. The nun has a sister blah blah blah. Just basic shit." Viper passes me back my phone. "The messages mean nothing."

"It's only been a few days," I tease. She's eating up all the attention I throw at her. This is surely going to be a breeze.

"Until she finds out you're a biker," he mocks.

I raise my brow. "That could be my way in. Good girls love bad boys."

Elena

We haven't stopped messaging. As soon as I finish work, I'm back on my phone. He's addicting and charming. I smile stupidly at the screen.

Axle

Where do you work, so I can come and say hi?

I rub my arm. Messaging and meeting up are two very different things.

I hardly know you.

Well, then you can get to know me

I want to see your pretty face and I'm dying to see your smile.

I blush. If this is how I'm behaving over messages, I could only imagine how hard it would be if I met him. He's a lot, but I can't stop myself from messaging back.

Where do you work, then?

I'll tell you when you tell me.

I shake my head.

You're cheeky!

You have no idea. At least give me your phone number, so I don't have to message you on this app. C'mon, I want to hear your voice.

I snicker as I stroll from my car toward work. I swiftly reply.

You give me yours first and I'll decide if I want to talk to you. I've got work. Talk to you later.

I put my phone away.

"Hey," Mel says as she falls into step with me.

"Hey," I reply cheerfully.

She tilts her head and points at me, her mouth gaping open. "You've been talking to Axle, haven't you?" She doesn't allow me to reply. "Tell me all about it! I want details!"

I can't help but smile back. "He's really nice, very charming."

She scrunches her nose. "What did you just say? Did you say he's nice?"

I inch back, surprised at her reaction. "Yes, he is. He wants to meet me, but I've just started talking to him." I can't stop the thought of my parents' disapproval if they knew I was considering meeting up with a stranger.

Her eyes dart away before she glances back at me. "Did you want me to meet up with him first to, you know"—she smiles—"check he's decent."

I give her an odd look. "I thought you have met him?"

She shakes her head. "Only seen him and heard about him from others."

"Um, no, thank you. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet."

We walk inside the restaurant, put our bags away, and put on our aprons. Cameron walks toward us, his eyes sparkling. "Good to see you, ladies."

I give him a tight smile and squirm under his gaze as his eyes run up and down our bodies.

Mel steps to him and kisses his cheek. "Hey," she says in a flirty tone, but his eyes stay on me.

"Hello," I reply to Cameron. I need the money, and apart from his wandering eyes, he's a kind boss and he gave me an opportunity to leave my hometown. He could be a lot worse, and I've made a friend in Mel.

"How's it living at home with Lucy and the gang?" he asks with a smirk and a raised brow.

"They're out a lot at college during the day and partying at night, so we haven't crossed paths often, considering I'm working."

He chuckles. "They sure love to party. Study hard, play hard. You should come to one of the parties. It'll be fun."

I draw back. "I'm not a big party person." Or a big socializing person. My kind of big night is staying up late to finish a book.

His eyes flash and his smile widens. "Well, we'll just have to bring the party to you. I'll get the girls to organize a party at your house."

Oh fantastic! I force a smile, but deep down I'm dreading it. At least at someone else's party I can leave when I want to. If it's at our house, I'll have to lock myself inside my room. "Oh, you don't have to worry about throwing a party for me."

When he leaves to go talk to the other waitresses, Mel leans in close to me. "I told you. He's got his eyes on you."

I put that uncomfortable thought to the back of my mind.

She laughs. "He's flirty and sometimes can get a little handsy, but just think of the money."

My head whips to her, my eyes bulging. "Handsy?" I squeak.

She brushes me off with a wave. "Don't stress. It's only minor touches; like, he doesn't grab my ass or tits or anything. Just sly feels—like, he brushes against me, stands too close and touches my hip and stuff. Nothing you can't handle. Trust me, I've had worse."

My breathing and heartbeat have accelerated. I've got to find a way to be polite to Cameron while ensuring I don't flirt back to provoke him and I'm firm if he does touch me. I can't lose this job. I don't want to go back home. I'm learning and getting a bit more confident in the position each day.

I work hard during my shift, and when I finish and am walking out the door, I pull out my phone and see Axle's number in the dating app messages. I'm in two minds about it. What if he ends up being a stalker or some guy who won't leave me alone? Then he has my number. I guess I could block it.

I wish I had my sister, Ava, or someone apart from Mel to talk to. I want to talk to Ava so bad... but I'm not sure if she'd even answer my call. We used to be so close, but everything changed when she met her husband. I need someone to talk some sense into me because I'm clearly not in my right mind.

When I arrive at home, I dash up the stairs. I shower and then lie on my bed. The reason I moved here was because I needed a change. My life never moved forward in my old town. I needed to experience life and meet new people. My heart surges as I try to decide whether to call Axle.

I heave a sigh. Just do it! I give in to my intrusive thoughts, pick up my phone, and dial the number.

"Hello," a husky voice answers. There's loud music in the background, and I freeze. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. It gets quiet. "Hello... Elena?"

"Hi."

He chuckles. "About time you called," he says playfully.

I can't help but smile. "I was at work." Did he miss talking to me? I shake my head. Don't be ridiculous.

"Hold on a sec, I need to go to my room." It makes me wonder where he lives and if he's living in shared accommodation like me.

There's a shuffling sound of movement, then a bang, as if a door was slammed closed. The music quietens. "Are we going on a date tomorrow?" he asks boldly.

I choke on nothing. "A date?"

"Yeah... a date... with me. Come on, I know you want to," he purrs.

He's a massive flirt. I'm in way over my head.

"Does your silence mean yes?"

I chuckle nervously. "I've only just started talking to you. I can't meet you yet."

"Why? We're friends, remember? Friends spend time together." He pauses. "Are you too good for me? That's not very nice, you know."

I huff. "I am not too good for anyone." Damn it, a wave of guilt washes over me. "I'm a nice person."

"I don't know about that. You seem a little judgy. I think you'd judge me."

I'd like to think of myself as kind and not judgmental. "No, I wouldn't," I say sincerely.

"Prove it!"

Still uncertain, I say, "I'll think about it." It's a big risk on my part.

"I'll take that as a yes," he's quick to respond.

I gape. "I never?—"

"See you tomorrow, Elena," he cuts in, his tone seductive. He hangs up and I'm left staring at my phone. He must be joking... He doesn't know where I work.

I put my phone down. Surely, he won't find me. I pick up my reading glasses and book and open it at the bookmark. I try not to think of Axle, but my thoughts keep drifting back to him.