Chapter 2

Astrid

"How was your graduation?"Nara asks as she sips her margarita.

"Good, I guess. My parents couldn't make it," I say, and she rolls her eyes.

"Mine didn't bother to show up either," she admits, and we share a sad kind of smile.

Nara and I have been best friends since we were kids. We grew up here in town together, bonding over our shitty home lives and families. She knows all about my problems with my parents, and I know all about her family issues too.

We split up when we went to different universities, but now we've both graduated and are back in town. Tonight was supposed to be us celebrating being back together, but as I watch the bikers drive past the restaurant, I can feel her mood take a swift dive.

"Maybe they're just passing by," I suggest, but we both know that's not likely.

The Broken Bottle Bar is right across the street and is a hot spot for the bikers in town. Chances are that they're headed there.

She sighs, and I smile, eating one last tortilla before I reach for my wallet.

"Want to get out of here?" I ask, and she nods.

"Yeah, I have a busy day of job searching tomorrow," she says glumly.

Nara went to college to become a teacher, something that I know she'll be awesome at once she finds a school to hire her. Meanwhile, I went into marketing. I was lucky enough to get a job offer from one of the companies that I interned at last year and now I get to work from home. The only downside is that I'm working from home here in Broken Bow.

I know that Nara sometimes feels jealous that I already have a job and it looks like I have my life together, but I don't. I'm broke and stuck living at home. I desperately want to move out, but I know that if I do, the only thing I'll be able to afford is a crappy apartment on the bad side of town, and I'll probably still need at least two roommates just to be able to make ends meet.

I push thoughts of my financial situation away as Nara and I pay our bills and stand, heading for the door.

"I can help you look for jobs tomorrow," I offer as we head outside.

"See, this is why I love you," she says with a smile.

"Free labor?" I guess, and she laughs as we both head out to the street.

I drove us, and she follows me as we head around to my car. We pause when a group of bikers race past us to the bar across the street, and Nara sighs again.

"Ignore them," I tell her, and she nods.

That's probably easier said than done, considering that her dad and brother run the Midnight Rebels MC.

"We should leave," Nara warns me. "Now."

"Yep," I agree when I see her dad and brother stomping towards the bar.

We both take off at a brisk pace, but we have to pass by the bar to get to my car since I parked in a parking lot around the back.

I shouldn't have parked there. I should have tried to find something down the other side of the street, even if we had to walk further.

"Let's go around back," I call over my shoulder when a few bikers stumble, bleeding from the bar.

"Good call."

We turn the corner, but suddenly, the side door of the bar bursts open, and a group of guys separates Nara and me.

"Nara!" I scream, but she's already been swallowed up by the crowd.

Shit. Now what?

I could try to find her, but I have no idea where to even start.

I should get to the car. She'll know to meet there. If she isn't there in five minutes, then I'll come back and look for her.

I start to push and shove my way towards the parking lot, but I'm not making a ton of progress. All the guys around me are bigger and stronger, and they don't seem to notice or care that I'm not a biker like them and am just trying to get out.

"I've got you," someone says a second before a pair of arms wrap around my waist and I'm lifted off of my feet.

I kick out instinctively, hitting a few people who then turn to glare at us.

"Easy, little one. You're going to start another brawl," the man warns me.

"Put me down!" I snap.

"No way. You see this mess. I'm getting you out."

He starts to move, and I hate to admit it, but he gets further through the crowd in seconds then I did in minutes.

"My friend is in there," I tell him once we break free from the crowd.

"Jude has her."

"Who the hell is Jude?" I ask as he finally sets me on my feet.

I whirl on him, and he grins down at me.

"Hey," he says easily, and I glare up at him.

"Who is Jude? Where is Nara?" I ask him.

"My friend. She's with him, and I know he'll keep her safe."

"I want to see her. I need to get to her."

"I'll text him."

He reaches into his pocket for his phone, and I study him. I don't remember him from when I was younger, so I know he must be new. He must have moved to town in the last four years.

The guy is huge, towering at least a foot over me, so I know he must be at least 6'4". He's toned, with muscles on top of muscles, and my body starts to react.

He picked me up like I weighed nothing,I think. I look down at my curvy body and then shake my head.

Focus on Nara.

"I'm Caden, by the way. What's your name, beautiful?"

His blue eyes twinkle down at me and I bite my bottom lip, debating if I should tell him my name.

I mean, he did just save me…

"Astrid," I finally say.

"You got a man, Astrid?" He asks, and my mouth drops open.

"Excuse me?"

"A boyfriend. Are you seeing anyone?"

"What does that matter?" I shout, and he grins down at me.

"Just making sure."

"Oh my gosh," I growl, and his smile widens.

"Glad that I don't have to scare anyone off."

"Who says that you don't?" I spit, and his smile drops.

"Do I? What's his name?" He growls, his blue eyes darkening.

What the heck am I doing? I'm arguing with a guy about a non-existent boyfriend when I should be looking for Nara.

I need to get out of here.

"Name, little one," he growls again, and I glare at him.

"None ya."

"Astrid," he says in warning.

A few guys get shoved towards us, and Caden turns to fight them back. I know this is my chance, and I use that moment to escape.

I take off, running as fast as I can down the street and around the corner. I see my car up ahead, and I sprint towards it. My legs and lungs protest, and I wonder if I should try to do more cardio.

"Astrid!" Caden shouts, but I don't slow down.

I see Nara round the corner, running towards my car, and I'm relieved. She's alright.

We both reach my car at the same time, and I can see that she looks just as bewildered and confused as I feel.

Nara starts to laugh as we climb into the car, and I frown at her.

"Men," she says, and it's so out of left field that I giggle.

"Let's get out of here."

I start the car and peel out, peeking in my rearview mirror as I leave. When I see Caden rush out into the street after me, my heart lodges in my throat. I can see him cursing, and he reaches up, tugging at his hair as I leave him in my dust.