Page 51 of Rags's Awakening
“More than the majority were like JT,” Casey said. “Liars. Cheaters. Masters at pretending to love you until they don’t.”
Zoe softened. “You’re describing a lot of guys, not just bikers. Look, you can’t judge Rags for JT’s bullshit. I saw how he looked at you at the bar. And how he ignored all those girls who were practically crawling into his lap after you left.”
Casey’s stomach fluttered unwantedly.
Zoe added, “Don’t shut down something that could make you happy. I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t think you were interested.”
“I’m not interested in anyone right now,” Casey said. “I’m too busy.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“Let’s go see if Raven’s around,” Casey said, ending the conversation.
When they approached the booth, Curtis was reading tarot for a teen girl. The kid’s eyes were wide as her friends giggled.
Curtis looked up and locked eyes with Casey. “I’ll be finished in a moment.”
“Is Raven here?” she asked.
“She’s still at the theatre rehearsing.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“You should have your fortune read,” Curtis said, eyes narrowing with something sharper than curiosity.
“Go ahead, it sounds fun,” Zoe said, nudging Casey’s side.
“No thanks. I don’t believe anyone can see into the future,” Casey said. “It’d be a waste of your time and mine.”
Curtis frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“Just tell Raven I stopped by.” Casey turned and walked away.
“You’re so right… he’s creepy.” Zoe chuckled.
“I’m hungry,” Ryan said.
“Do you want to get some barbecue? It smells amazing,” Zoe said.
“Sounds good to me,” Ryan replied.
“Casey?”
“I’m good. You two go on. I’m going to watch the band. I like the way they sound.”
“Okay. We’ll catch up with you,” Zoe said, leaning into Ryan as he put his arm around her.
Casey walked toward the music, making sure to avoid the custom motorcycles display. When she approached the stage, the band launched into a hard-driving cover of “Livin’ After Midnight”, the guitars snarling, the beat pounding through the ground beneath her boots. She let the sound swallow her and drown out everything churning inside her. Her hips swayed in time to the beats of the drums and bass as she fell into the rhythm.
Then a familiar, magnetic presence brushed against her awareness, impossible to ignore. Before she could turn, fingers grazed hers. Light. Barely there. But intentional enough to steal her breath.
She didn’t have to look.
The scent of leather and cedar wrapped around her, warm and achingly familiar.
Move away from him.Don’t let him see what he does to you. But she stayed rooted to the spot, eyes locked on the stage.
“Don’t stop feeling the music on my account,” Rags said, brushing against her side.
