Page 31 of Diesel's Perseverance
They walked back to the car wash. Myla resumed her place at the front counter, and Diesel joined Wheelie and the other bikers in the back office, shutting the door behind him. She wrestled with whether or not to tell Diesel about Freddy’s physical abuse. Myla hated the idea that he didn’t trust her, but she was scared he’d think she was lying about Freddy and begin to doubt everything about her.
She glanced at the clock and saw that there were two more hours before the business closed. She figured the family barbecue meant that wives and kids would be there. A thread of excitement weaved through her at the prospect of meeting the women who loved these bikers. Since Myla had been in Pinewood Springs, she hadn’t had any decent female conversation, and she hoped they’d be friendlier than the club girls.
The front door opened, and a spate of customers entered the place. Bracing herself, she plastered on a smile and rang up a deluxe car wash for the first person who reached the counter.
***
“I’ll wait foryou downstairs,” Diesel said as he left the room.
“Okay,” Myla said through the bathroom door.
She plugged in the blow dryer and moved it over her hair while running her fingers through the tresses. After pulling a batik sundress over her head, she swiped her lips with peach lipstick and gloss, then walked out of the bathroom.
Myla slipped her feet into a pair of black leather thongs, then darted out of the room and headed downstairs. She spotted Diesel standing by the bar when she entered the great room, his boot propped up on the foot rail, a beer bottle in his hand, and a busty woman practically glued to his side. Myla recognized the woman as a club girl and caught on that the girl had a crush on Diesel. Not sure if she should approach him, Myla stood in the doorway feeling awkward and pissed. Awkward because she felt like a total stranger in this biker world and pissed because seeing the club girl hanging onto him made her feel like an idiot.
A flash of anger sparked through her. Clenching her jaw, she marched right past him and pushed open the front door. Myla heard him call out her name but didn’t look back; she kept walking until reaching his car. As she debated whether to go to the barbecue, the sound of gravel crunching echoed behind her.
“What’s going on?” Diesel said as he opened the car door for her. “Did you hear from Freddy?”
Without answering, she slipped into the passenger seat, grasped the handle, and slammed the door shut.
Diesel hesitated for a few seconds, then walked over to the driver’s side and slid inside. “What did Freddy say?”
“He didn’t call me. Not everything in my life is about Freddy.” Pivoting her body away from him, she stared out the window at the forest of trees.
“I just figured you’d heard from him. You seem upset. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You were fine when I left the room.”
“I’m still fine. Are we going or not?”
“Not until I figure out why you’re acting like I’m the enemy. You’re pissed at me, and I don’t know why. And turn the fuck around and look at me.”
The concern in his voice soothed the edges of her bruised ego. Turning toward him, she offered a small smile. “I’m sorry. I guess I was just having a moment.”
“About what? Did something happen when you were in the room? Did one of the brothers come to the door?”
A shadow of anger moved across his handsome face.
“No, absolutely not. Nothing like that. I was just being stupid, that’s all.”
Rubbing his chin, he looked away and then back at her. “You’re not stupid.”
“I meant, I wasactingstupid. I guess I was having an insecure moment. I feel lost, and everything is different for me. Living at the clubhouse is like being in another world. I appreciate staying here and being kept safe, but it’s challenging, you know?” She bit down on her lip to hold back the sudden press of tears, but one escaped and slid down her cheek.
“Myla.” Reaching out, he cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. “I do know. I’m sorry as fuck you have to go through this.” Diesel’s skin felt warm against hers, his thumb rough as he brushed the tear away. “Freddy didn’t do you right, and I’m gonna try like hell to fix all this,” he whispered.
She leaned against him, and all at once, he wrapped his arm around her, tugging her closer as she buried her head against his chest and cried. He held her tight, and she was aware of the strength in his arm, the hardness of his chest, and the beating of his heart. She felt safe and protected for the first time in over a year.
After several minutes, he said, “Are you feeling better now?”
Myla pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Sorry for the meltdown. I don’t normally go around sobbing.”
He gave her a quiet smile. “No worries.”
She pulled down the visor and looked in the mirror, groaning at the black rings under her eyes. “I look a mess.”
