Motorcycle Babe

RedLipstick andRegrets

Raven

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I groaned, the sound drilling into my skull. I rolled over, trying to find a cool spot on the pillow. Beep. Beep. Beep. "Goddammit." I yanked the pillow over my head, but the electronic chirp was relentless. Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Oh, for f**k's sake." I lunged for the nightstand, grabbed the phone, and hurled it across the room. It hit the rug with a dull thud.

"Mmm, baby..." a sleepy, honeyed voice mumbled next to me. "Can you shut that stupid alarm off, please? I need my beauty sleep."

I sighed loud enough to wake the dead and sat up, rubbing my eyes and my throbbing temples before dragging myself out of bed. I retrieved my phone from the floor, killed the noise, and glanced back at the bed.

Arielle was sprawled there, naked under my sheets, one leg hanging out. Her hair was a bird's nest but still looked model-perfect. She looked like sin wrapped in silk.

I wish it was Gabriella’s body instead.

Wait—what?

Nope. Not doing that. I shook my head hard, trying to knock the thought loose. But my chest tightened anyway, traitor that it is. I pulled on some shorts and a tank top and sneaked out, shutting the door quietly. If Arielle woke up, she’d want round two, and I wasn't mentally prepared for her Olympic-level stamina today.

My mom was gone, per usual. Probably stuck at the office, pretending she didn't hate the silence of this house as much as I did. I headed to the kitchen and went into autopilot: cracking eggs, tossing bacon into one pan, sausage in another. I multitask like a pro when I need to drown out my own head.

I was flipping the bacon when a pair of arms slid around my waist. Lips brushed the back of my neck, and I shivered. My neck is my ultimate weakness, a secret I’d never let anyone else know.

"Morning, gorgeous Rae," Arielle mumbled against my skin.

"Morning, Arielle." My voice came out flatter than I intended.

She giggled and hopped up on the counter, giving me that look—the predatory one. She wanted a repeat performance of last night, but my brain was too foggy to function. I shoved a plate toward her.

"Eat."

She rolled her eyes but swayed her way to the table. "So," she said between bites, "what do you think we should go as for Daveon's party?"

I shrugged. "Don't care."

"Come on, Raven! This is our first Halloween as a couple! I want us to look amazing."

I nearly choked on my coffee. Couple. Hearing the word felt like a handcuff clicking shut. I didn't answer. She humped, stomped upstairs, and probably left the door half-open as an invitation to go "apologize." Normally, I’d take the bait.

But not today. I headed to the garage instead.

My eyes landed on the photo of me and Dad—smiling, his bike gleaming behind us. For a second, I smiled back. Then the memory hit me like a physical blow.

Honking. Screeching tires. Oil. Fire. Blood. My hands shaking as I held her—begging her to stay awake.

I bit my lip hard, wiping a traitorous tear away before it could win. I glanced at my reflection in the chrome of my bike, tracing the scar that cut along my jaw. My reminder. My punishment.

"Not today," I muttered, grabbing my wrench.

"We're here, Arielle baby." I cut the engine in Daveon's driveway, the silence rushing in.

She slid off behind me, flipping her hair. "Next time, we’re taking my car. The wind ruins my look."

I snorted. "Yeah, right. I’m not showing up in a Prius."

She smirks. "Who said Prius? I’ve got a Camaro in the shop getting tuned up. Total badass."

My jaw dropped. "Okay, you win that one."

She giggled and pressed a kiss to my lips, leaving that damn permanent red lipstick stain. "Arielle! I told you not to kiss me with that stuff! It’s like superglue."

"Just claiming what’s mine," she whispered, licking my ear. I shivered, hating how my body responded even when my heart was miles away.

She dragged me inside, and it was pure chaos—music blasting, smoke everywhere, and more tequila than common sense. Three shots in, I was floating. I looked around the room, and then I saw her.

Gabriella.

Under the multi-colored lights, she looked unreal. Her hair was curled and loose, and she was wearing a short black dress with white angel wings. Sneakers on her feet, laughing at something Kyle said.

My chest constricted.

Before I could move, Arielle appeared, tipsy and territorial. "Baby," she slurred, cupping my face. "Where've you been?"

She kissed me. Hard. It was messy and desperate, and I knew Gabriella was watching. I saw her eyes go wide—hurt? Jealous? I didn't know. Arielle got dragged off by a friend for photos, leaving me standing there, sexually frustrated and drunk.

I needed air.

Outside, the cold bit through my jacket, and I welcomed the sting. It was quiet until I heard a voice that made my knees turn to water.

"Raven? You okay?"

I turned. Our eyes locked. She looked like she was sculpted out of my worst temptations—pink cheeks, soft lips, and those wings.

"Nah, I'm cool," I smirked, hiding the tremor in my voice. "Just... a lot of temptation in front of me."

Her blush deepened. She tucked her hair back, baring her neck. My favorite spot. I took a step closer, wanting to touch her, to kiss her like I should have at the bleachers.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked softly. "You look like you’re crying."

I touched my face. s**t. "I’m high," I lied.

"I didn't see you smoke tonight," she countered.

I grinned lazily. "Have you been watching me all night, Gabriella?"

Her eyes went wide, her face turning crimson. "I—uh—"

I was about to press her when Arielle’s voice sliced through the moment. "Baby! There you are! Daveon says there's a room we can use."

Gabriella’s face transformed—shock, then a flash of pure pain. She turned and walked away before I could say a word. I watched her go, my stomach twisting into a knot.

Arielle crashed her lips into mine again, dragging me back toward the house.

"Who was that?" she asked, breathless.

I looked at the door where the angel had vanished. I felt like a ghost myself.

"Just a ghost from my past," I whispered, pulling Arielle back in to drown the ache. "Don't worry about it."

I still love her.