“We’re here,” Lissy says, accepting Sarah’s hug. I look around, while the girls all say hi, and notice the amount of people in tonight. I know Lissy said the Rebels like to party, I just didn’t expect it to be this type of party. Girls in barely-there clothes, less than what I’m wearing, hang off bikers, their fake laughs filling the air. An older guy sits on the sofa, a woman, on his lap, her hips riding against him in time with the music that blares above us.

“You look amazing, Bell,” Sarah finally greets me. We embrace, breaking my stare at the couple. “Hot damn, stay away from my man.” She laughs and turns back to the guy behind the bar. My eyes follow her lead and land on the dark-haired man. He’s busy filling drinks but still manages to take a moment to look back at Sarah. He lifts his chin up in greeting, then turns back to what he was doing.

“That’s Hunter. He’s mine.” She winks and I laugh awkwardly. That’s the last thing on my mind. I’m not here to find a man. Only to talk to Jesse. I think to myself.

“Come, let’s get some drinks and I’ll show you around.” She drags us over to her hot man, telling us to order whatever we want. I decide to keep to my no-drinking rule. If I do get to talk to Jesse, I need to have my wits about me. I keep an eye out, waiting for what, I don’t know. But I haven’t seen Jesse or anyone I know yet. After talking with Sarah for fifteen minutes, we find our way outside. I spot Holly and her man sitting at the center table. Nix, the Rebels’ President, and another scary biker guy with longer hair, all sit around drinking and talking. Holly holds her belly, and the smile nestled on my face is for her. She’s finally getting her happy ending she deserves.

The last time I saw Holly was the same night Jesse was admitted. Holly suffered a fall down the stairs, courtesy of the crazed ex-husband of a woman the Rebels helped out, and Jesse suffered a cut and busted-up ankle when he tried to help her. I didn’t know at the time, but Lissy filled me in when I asked just how she knew the Rebels helped women. I don’t know much about this club, and what exactly they get up to, but from what I’ve heard and seen, I know these people are good people.

“Bell, Manda just saw Jesse walk in.” Kate comes up to me as I sit talking to a couple of girls who introduced themselves as Elisha and Carly. It’s been thirty minutes and I was beginning to think he wasn’t going to show.

“Oh, God, Kate.” I panic so she takes my hand and drags me back inside to where Lissy is playing pool with some young guy.

I hang back in the corner, watching Jesse as he sits at the bar and shoots back drink after drink.

“If you don’t talk to Jesse soon, he’ll be too drunk to talk.” Manda pushes me forward, but I’m not ready. I need more time.

“Not yet.” I shake my head and step back.

Oh, gosh, why does it have to be so hard?

He throws another drink back, then Hunter hands him a beer, before he stands and moves outside. I should follow him, but I don’t. I’m too nervous.

“Right, that’s it. You need alcohol.” Lissy walks up, grabs my hand and drags me to the bar.

“No, Lissy.” My head shakes as fast as the words come rushing out. I’m not willing to let my defenses down. I rarely drink. I hate the way it makes me feel. I’m not about to start now.

“This is why we came here, Bell. Don’t chicken out now,” Manda tries to encourage me but it’s not working.

“Just let him relax a little, okay?” I ask, trying to give myself time.

“Fine, you’ve got twenty minutes, or I’m going up to him myself.” She turns and heads back to the pool table.

“Twenty minutes,” I say, attempting to build myself up.

You can do this, Bell. For Paige. I think to myself.

You have to do it.

Five Jesse

I shut off my bike and look around the parking lot of the clubhouse compound. The normally quiet area is buzzing with cars, bikes and people tonight, but for the first time in years, I’m not in the mood. I just spent the last few hours in physical therapy, trying to get my goddamn ankle back to where it was a few months ago. I’m frustrated, pissed, and the first thing on my mind is a beer or three. Walking along the gravel lot, I scan the area checking out the talent in tonight. There’s never a shortage of women hanging around the Rebels’ clubhouse, but since Nix and Sy have both settled down, it’s put a damper on the women walking through the doors.

“Hey, Jesse.” Hunter nods when I walk up to the bar. He places a shot of whiskey in front of me knowing exactly what I need. “How’d it go today?” he asks, noticing my limp.

“I’m gonna need another shot before answering.” He nods again, not fully understanding but not pushing either. Hunter is newly patched. He’s a good guy, young but loyal.

“Busy night?” I spin in my stool and notice the club is louder than normal.

“Yep, got an influx tonight. Your type too.” His smirk tells me my night is about to change.

“Fuck yeah.” I take stock of who’s in before turning back and motioning for another shot. My hand reaches for the pills my doctor prescribed me, and I pop two instead of one for good measure. New women in the club? My mood just picked up. With the way my ankle is throbbing, I’m gonna need some loosening up.

“Who’s here?” I watch him fill my glass with a double shot. Good man.

“Sy and Nix are in tonight.” He indicates to the back door letting me know where they are.