Motorcycle Babe

Ghosts Dont Stay Quiet

Gabriella

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid, Gabriella.

I repeated it like a prayer as I walked away from Raven and the cheerleader—Arielle. I didn't look back, because if I did, I knew I’d do something reckless. Something loud. Something very un–pastor's-daughter of me.

Still, my chest burned. It wasn't a sharp pain—not exactly. It was a heavy, suffocating pressure, like a weight sitting right behind my ribs. It grew heavier every time I pictured Arielle’s arms wrapped around Raven’s waist. The way she leaned into her like she owned the air Raven breathed.

I don't think they’re dating. But I also haven't seen Raven with any other girl since Arielle. Not that I’ve been paying attention. Or counting. Or memorizing the way Raven’s jaw tightens when Arielle laughs too loud.

I forced my feet forward—straight toward the alcohol table. I refused to turn around, refused to imagine ripping Arielle’s hands away and replacing them with mine.

I stopped. What the f**k? Did I seriously just think that? I shook my head hard, trying to knock the thought loose. Something was wrong with me. Something new—or maybe something very old, finally clawing its way back to the surface.

The music thumped through the house, the bass rattling my skull. Bodies were everywhere—grinding, shouting, spilling drinks. Someone scream-laughed near the stairs. Something shattered behind me. My head pounded. I knew I shouldn't be here; not with the lingering fog, the memory gaps, and the medication. But Kyle had promised I wouldn't be alone.

I grabbed a cup of punch. Definitely spiked. I downed it anyway.

The burn slid down my throat, loosening the tightness in my chest just a fraction. Pastor’s daughter behavior, I chided myself. My dad wasn't technically a pastor, but in this town, the difference was negligible. Bible verses on the fridge. "Love thy neighbor"—unless thy neighbor loved the wrong person.

My thoughts blurred. The room tilted. Lightweight. I giggled under my breath and decided I needed air before I did something I'd regret.

The cold hit me like a slap the second I stepped onto the porch. "Wow, it's freezing," I muttered.

"Want my sweater?"

I turned too fast, the world spinning for a second. Tyler. He stood there holding a jacket I recognized instantly—my old favorite. The one that smelled like his cologne and a "safety" I no longer believed in. He was in a ghost shirt, white face paint smudging his jaw. He gave me that same stupid, golden-boy smile.

"Oh, hell no," I said, crossing my arms.

His smile masked a flicker of surprise. "Okay. Just offering."

"Can I help you?" I asked sharply. "Aren't you with Cheryl or whoever the f**k her name is?"

He smirked. "So you are paying attention to me. Jealous?"

I laughed bitterly. "Trust me, Tyler. I'm not jealous of someone who took my biggest problem off my hands." Not her. Never her. Someone else entirely. Shut up, brain.

His smile vanished. "Watch your mouth, Gabby. I didn't come out here for this. I came to talk about us."

"There is no us."

He did something I never expected—he dropped to one knee. "Gabriella, I miss us. I miss summer. I miss you."

Anger flared, hot and sudden. "No," I snapped. "You miss the attention. You miss how our parents loved the idea of us. You miss how I made you look good. You don't miss me. You miss what I gave you."

Tyler stood slowly, brushing dirt from his knees. He slicked his hair back and smiled like a shark. "You know, people talk. And people are saying things about you and Raven Rider."

Cold rushed through me, deeper than the October wind.

"I’d hate for your father," he continued, leaning in close, "to think you need... fixing. Or a stay at one of those 'camps' he likes to fund."

My arms went slack. "What do you want?"

"I want us. Together." He tapped his ring finger. My breath caught. "Engagement first. Marriage later. You have until the final football game at midnight to decide. If not... I'll make sure your family hears everything."

He kissed my cheek—a touch that felt like a snake bite—and disappeared inside. I stood there shaking, the world turning grey. I rushed back in, desperate for Kyle.

I found him. He was very, very busy straddling Daveon, his hands tangled in the lacrosse captain's hair. Good for him, I thought, but it meant I was on my own.

I turned to leave and slammed right into Arielle. Her eyes were glassy, her devil horns crooked. And then the smell hit—m*******a and lavender.

Raven was right behind her. Her eyes locked onto mine. That same look from the bleachers. Hunger. Heat. Something unfinished. Then Arielle pulled her close and kissed her. Raven didn't look like she was there. When they broke apart, Raven looked like she wanted to scream my name, but Arielle tugged her away.

I couldn't stay. I requested my ride and walked to the curb, rubbing my temples.

And then I saw her. Raven was leaning against her bike, staring at me like the world had narrowed down to just the two of us. It was the kind of look you melt into. The kind she didn't give Arielle.

The car honked. I reached for the door handle.

That’s when it happened.

My chest tightened so suddenly I gasped. My vision blurred, the house lights smearing like wet paint. And then, I wasn't just looking at Raven anymore.

I was with her.

Her laughter echoed in my ears—warmer, closer. I felt the vibration of the bike under my thighs. The wind cutting through my jacket. My hands were gripped around her waist, holding on for dear life.

"Hold on," she’d said. Not teasing. Protective.

The scent of smoke and leather flooded my senses. My cheek was pressed against her back. I saw her glance over her shoulder at me. "You good back there?"

I smiled in the memory. God, I was happy.

Another flash—us parked somewhere quiet. Her helmet off, her hair a beautiful mess. My fingers curled into her jacket as she leaned in. Our foreheads touching. Breaths mingling. Too close. Too familiar. My heart pounded like it was trying to break my ribs.

Then the shift.

Laughter turned to a frantic shout. The wind screamed. A horn blared—sharp, angry, deafening. Her body tensed beneath my hands.

"Gabriella—!"

My name. Her voice was cracked, terrified.

The world lurched. White light. Searing heat. The sound of metal screaming as it tore apart.

I sucked in a breath, clutching my chest as the memory shattered. I was standing on the sidewalk again, shaking so hard I could barely stay upright. Tears burned my eyes. That wasn't a dream. That was a memory. Broken, jagged, and incomplete—but real.

The car door opened. I forced my legs to move, every step feeling like I was leaving my soul on that curb. Before I got in, I looked back.

Raven was still there, watching me like she felt the snap of the bond, too. For a second, I almost asked her. Almost asked her if I was on that bike with her.

But the door shut. The car pulled away. And the last thing I heard before the darkness took me was the low, lonely growl of a motorcycle engine, fading into the night.