4. Tommy/ Nitro

4

TOMMY/ NITRO

TOMMY

It took me a couple of minutes to find the section with the sleeping pills.

I selected a random brand and made my way to the cash register, feeling triumphant.

Then I heard loud voices. My inner magpie informed me that two shifter alphas had entered the store.

I spotted them and froze up completely. What made me think I could do this? Move to a new town by myself?

Maybe Marc was right. I wasn't ready to be independent.

"Good evening," one of the alphas said, noticing me.

His friend shot me a friendly smile. I didn’t like the attention one bit.

Not answering, I snatched the bottle of sleeping pills from the counter.

I had to get out of there immediately.

"Hey, you have to pay for that," the guy manning the cash register remarked.

I pulled out a fifty-dollar bill from my wallet, slapped it on the counter, and ran out of the store without another word.

Tears welled in my eyes as I raced back to my apartment. What just happened?

Those guys didn't mean me any harm, and yet my mind seemed to automatically go to bad places.

Why was it so hard for me to handle a simple interaction like that? I bet Dylan wouldn't have acted weird.

Plus, I wished I had waited for my change.

A kindergarten teacher didn't exactly make much. Kids were so much easier to handle than adults, I thought miserably.

Footsteps approached behind me, and my paranoia immediately ramped up.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw nothing for a moment.

I forced myself to relax; it was probably just my imagination playing tricks on me.

As I continued my walk back to the apartment, I realized I had my cellphone out.

My first instinct had been to call Nitro.

Disappointed with myself, I shook off the unease and tried to convince myself that it was nothing.

But then, as the footsteps echoed once more, I knew I was not imagining the sound this time around.

A chill ran down my spine, and I started running.

Hicks used to play hide-and-seek with me when he was bored. He would set me loose on his grandfather's dilapidated property and tell me to run.

Each time, I lost that horrible game. He was the predator, and I was the prey. Our roles were clearly defined.

In the present, I definitely felt like the hunted. Thoughts of the alphas in the store lingered in my mind.

Were they the ones chasing me, or perhaps it was just some drunk who had no idea what he was doing?

For a second, I swore I felt warm breath on the back of my neck.

Goosebumps appeared across my arms, and I let out a scream of panic. The sensation was gone as quickly as it came.

Finally, I reached the steps of my apartment building. I dashed into the lobby, heart pounding.

Spotting the opening elevator doors, I rushed inside, half expecting someone to come after me.

However, there was no one in the lobby.

Panting, trying to recover my breathing, I pushed the button for my floor and nearly collapsed against the wall of the elevator.

This couldn't be good for my heart.

The adrenaline still pumping through my veins left me feeling both wired and exhausted as I stumbled into the sanctuary of my familiar apartment.

With a quick, anxious check to ensure the door was securely locked, I peeled off my sweaty hoodie.

"No more late-night strolls after midnight," I whispered to myself.

My hands were still trembling, and I found myself sinking onto the nearest piece of furniture.

The familiar surroundings should've given me some measure of comfort, but I was still spooked by the whole experience.

I found myself grabbing my cellphone. At first, I debated contacting Marc, but I soon dismissed the idea.

He'd probably rush here, tell me to pack my stuff, and insist on me moving back with him.

Sure, I was rattled, but I wasn't going to give up just yet. Without thinking, I dialed Nitro's number.

"Tommy?" he sounded groggy.

I must've woken him up, and immediately, I felt guilty.

"Sorry, go back to sleep. It's nothing," I quickly said.

"It's not nothing." He sounded more awake now.

I just... I faltered, unsure how to explain what happened.

Telling Nitro I nearly had a breakdown buying something from the pharmacy and had imagined someone following me home made me seem weird.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I'll be right there," Nitro said when I didn't say anything more.

"No, that's not necessary," I said, but Nitro had ended the call.

"Keep this up, and he'll start thinking dating you isn't worth all the hassle," I whispered to myself.

I curled myself into a tiny ball on the sofa, wishing for the hundredth time I didn't go out tonight.

If I stayed in bed, none of this would have happened.

It was so easy to believe that I was on the right track, that things were getting back to normal.

Then something like this happened, shattering the illusion that everything was fine when it was far from it.

I was still wallowing in pity when the doorbell rang.

When I didn't answer it right away, there was pounding on the door. I cringed at the sound.

"Tommy? Are you alright? If you don't answer me right away, I'll break this door down,” Nitro yelled.

I believed him. I once saw Nitro send a bigger alpha shifter flying across the room. He also sounded worried. I relaxed.

For a moment there, I thought my stalker had followed me home.

Pulling myself together, I finally opened the door and realized what a mess I must've looked.

I should've splashed some water on my face or something before he arrived.

Nitro stood on the doorstep, concern etched across his face.

His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious under his gaze.

NITRO

To say I'd had a bad day would be an understatement.

First, I stumbled upon Gin and Benji's wedding announcement plastered all over social media.

Then, work took a nosedive, and somehow, I found myself in the big boss's office – a first since I joined the Grizzly Reapers MC.

All thanks to Spike.

Spike tapped his foot impatiently as Venom's office contained two chairs.

I took one, while Spike, who claimed he was nervous, had chosen to stand, irritating me with his incessant tapping.

"He's making us wait," Spike complained.

I highly doubted that. As the lead alpha and the President of the MC, Venom likely had better things to do than lecture two of his bikers.

Less than five minutes later, Venom entered, looking grumpy as usual.

He sat behind his desk and glanced between Spike and me for a few moments.

Venom had always struck me as a scary but straightforward monster, so it didn't surprise me when he went right to the point.

"You two lost the MC a long-time client," Venom stated.

“Jack, Olaf’s second, provoked us," Spike began.

I shot him a glare.

"Let me handle this," I muttered under my breath.

Spike opened his mouth, then shut it, hanging his head and nodding.

Venom raised a hand before I could explain what happened.

"Give Olaf a proper face-to-face apology. Offer some freebies. Fix this."

When Venom said those last two words, he looked directly at me. I suppressed a groan.

Of course, the boss expected me to take the lead. Between Spike and me, I was the more responsible biker.

"You got it, boss," I gritted out.

Spike nodded, wisely refraining from adding any unnecessary comments.

This was the last thing I needed, with everything going on in my personal life.

Tommy had taken the huge leap to move to Moon Burrow, and I wanted to spend time with him during my spare time.

Venom considered the matter closed.

"Get the hell out of my office," he said, his order accompanied by a thin growl.

I made my way to the bar and eating area of the MC clubhouse, irritated that Spike was tailing me.

"Buy you a drink?" he asked.

It was probably his way of apologizing, but one beer wasn't going to change what happened earlier.

We sipped our beer in silence when it arrived, for a few moments, not speaking. I let out a heavy sigh.

As usual, Spike was waiting for me to speak first. Be the better friend, I reminded myself.

"You should've kept your temper in check. You know how Olaf's boys are," I pointed out.

This wasn't the first delivery we made to Olaf and his pack. Spike scratched the small scar on his jaw.

"I know I messed things up, but today is —,” Spike faltered.

I'd known Spike for five years. We joined the MC at the same time.

Thinking back, Spike usually got his fur ruffled at this time of the year, but he never told me why.

It didn't bother me.

Most of the bear shifters in the MC usually had pasts they weren't proud of and secrets they didn't want to share.

“Look, let’s just forget about today and think of a way to win back Olaf's good graces," I said.

"If we don't, what do you think's going to happen?" Spike asked.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But let's not find out."

The veteran biker bears in the MC usually only had one piece of advice for newbies: Don't piss Venom off.

"Look, I'll contact Olaf in a couple of days and see if I can arrange a meeting," I said. Spike gave me a grateful look.

"Buy you another beer?" he asked when my cellphone vibrated in the pocket of my jacket.

"Hold that thought," I said.

Seeing Tommy's name flashing across the screen, a big grin spread across my face. Spike peered over my shoulder.

"Look who's calling," Spike said after a whistle.

I shoved him off and took Tommy's call.

I was thinking of something flirty and cute to say, but hearing Tommy's frightened voice stopped me cold.

"I'll be right there," I automatically said when he tried to pass the matter off as nothing.

"Problem?" Spike asked.

I didn't bother finishing my beer. Grabbing my leather cut, I made my way out of the clubhouse, Spike right at my heels.

We were in the parking lot, and I quickly picked out my Harley.

"I don't know," I admitted when Spike grabbed my shoulder.

"You'll need backup. I'm coming with you," he insisted.

At first, I was tempted to tell him to bug off. He'd already caused us both enough problems for one day.

Then I held my tongue. Spike clearly regretted his actions earlier, and he genuinely wanted to help.

Besides, I might need his help, although I wasn't sure what exactly happened to Tommy.

Tommy sounded frantic on the phone, and I was ridden with anxiety and worry as Spike and I made our way to town.

After finding a parking spot, I rushed inside Tommy's apartment building without waiting for Spike.

When Tommy opened the door, his puffy face stopped me cold. I assessed him for other signs of injuries.

Finding none, a wave of relief filled me.

"What happened?" I murmured, touching his cheek.

If he drew back from me, I would understand completely.

Something or someone had spooked Tommy tonight, and I had every intention of finding out the cause.

Instead of pulling away, Tommy closed his eyes and leaned into my touch like a needy kitten.

I drew in a sharp breath. At that moment, Tommy looked so vulnerable, so raw, and I never wanted him more.

Tommy pressed his hand against mine.

"Nitro, I'm so glad you're here," he whispered.

The moment he uttered those words, I broke. I released his cheek and pulled him into a fierce embrace.

Right then and there, I swore I would protect Tommy from anything or anyone that meant him harm.

My inner grizzly growled in agreement within me.