Midnight Rider

Chapter 16

“Are you ready for tomorrow night?” Ciara asked me excitedly. We were walking out of work on Friday night.

“Yea I am! Do you want to come over to my house to get ready together?”

“Sure, oh and I asked Dominique if she wanted to tag along too so we’ll both come over.”

“Awesome, say six?”

“We’ll be there!” she waved pulling out of the parking lot.

Saturday morning I cooked breakfast for all of us. I was frying bacon and making biscuits and gravy. Christian came down the stairs and commented, “smells like grandma is in the kitchen.”

“Well it is her famous biscuits and gravy so I’m doing my best,” I laughed. He poured all of us orange juice as Dru came in to sit down.

“Hey I need to go grocery shopping do you want to come with me?” she asked. “You’re brother says he’s too busy to go with me today.”

I tried to hide my smile. I knew Christian was still planning on their anniversary getaway. “Oh yea I’ll go.”

I finished eating and went upstairs to change when I saw a have a text message. It’s from Tanner.

Can’t wait to see you tonight! ;)

-       Me either gonna be a fun night!

I was getting my sandals on when I heard Dru call from downstairs. “Hey are you ready?”

“Yup!” I called back coming down the stairs. She said bye to Christian who was doing the dishes and we left.

“Ok where all do you need to go?” I asked getting in her car.

“We’re going to the farmer’s market first, then the grocery store and meat market.”

“Ok, the girls are coming over so all of us can get ready tonight but that’s not til later.”

“So it’s you three plus Tanner and Eric? Right?” she asked.

“Yea it’s gonna be like a group date. We invited Dominque cause she wasn’t doing anything anyway.”

“So how’s it going with the guys? You said salsa class was awesome.”

“It was great! I had so much fun, he said we could go back. He even cooked me dinner, did I tell you that already?”

“Yea,” she laughed, “but that’s ok. You know your brother cooked for me as one of our first dates. He cooked and packed a picnic for us.”

“That’s so sweet! I’d forgotten about that.”

“I know he’s trying to plan something for our anniversary next weekend but I can’t figure out what it is.”

“Don’t try to figure it out,” I laughed, “just see what happens.”

“Speak for yourself girl, you keep trying to figure out who that mystery rider is. But yes, I will try to not figure out what you’re brothers planning.”

“Well trying to figure out who the rider is isn’t getting my anywhere, so it’s not worth it. He told me he doesn’t trust Gabriel or Tanner.”

“Why?”

“He wouldn’t tell me, said that it wasn’t his story to tell. He did tell me recently that the reasons he can’t tell me who is he won’t last forever.”

“It doesn’t sound that promising Angel”

“No it doesn’t. I’m just going to go have fun and if something happens well then I guess it was meant to.”

We grabbed Popeye’s for lunch on our way home. Dru carried the food inside as Christian helped me with the groceries.

“Hey did Dru mention anything today?” he asked.

“She said she thinks you’re planning something but she doesn’t know what. I told her not to worry about it.”

“Ok good so far I think I have an Airbnb rented that’s right on the beach. I’ve also got a photographer lined up to take pictures when I surprise her with the ring.”

“That’s awesome!” I smiled. After we put all the groceries away and ate lunch I went upstairs to take a shower for tonight. I was standing in front of my closet trying to find an outfit when Ciara came through the door.

“I’m here!”

“Hey!” I hugged her, “good I need someone to help me decide what to wear.”

“Uh I need the same thing,” she laughed. She had a few dresses draped over her arm. While looking through the dresses Dominque came in. She already had her outfit picked out.

“You guys aren’t ready yet?” she asked.

“No still trying to figure out what to wear.” Ciara answered.

“Don’t wear anything,” Dominque laughed, “that’s sure to get their attention.”

“Them and everyone else,” I snorted.

I finally settled on a white top with black mini skirt and heels. Ciara ended up wearing the red dress I borrowed from Dominque.

We were doing our last minute checks in the mirror when Dru opened came in. “You guys look good! The boys are downstairs.”

I lead the way down the stairs. I watched a smile spread across Tanner’s face as he saw me. Eric looked like a puppy dog when he saw Ciara.

“Hey beautiful!” Tanner wrapped me up in his arms and kissed my cheek, “are you girls ready to go?”

I looked over and saw Eric kissing Ciara’s hand, it reminded me of Gabriel and I felt a ping of guilt.

“We’re ready!” Dominique announced standing in the open door.

“Who’s truck?” I asked as we walked outside. In my driveway was a lifted bright red pickup truck.

“Oh that’s mine,” Eric answered. “I didn’t think you guys would want to squish in the back of Tanner’s mustang so I drove.”

“You’re so thoughtful!” Ciara giggled at him and he blushed. They opened the door for us and we climbed in. We let Tanner and Eric ride up front so we could all be in the back together.

“Do you guys wanna grab some food?” Tanner asked turning to face all of us.

“I’m starving!” Dominique answered.

“We can just grab some Rx Pizza since it’s just down from Club Dragon. We can walk there,” Ciara suggested.

We all agreed. We parked the truck by Club Dragon and walked down to Rx Pizza. Dominque led the way while Eric and Ciara followed behind her. They held hands while they walked, I could see Eric sneaking glances at Ciara.

“They make a cute couple don’t they?” I whispered to Tanner.

“Yea they do, Eric’s never really had a girlfriend, he seems really happy with her.” He answered. Tanner looked down at me and smiled, “How about you? Do you think we make a good couple?”

“Well…yes but remember I don’t want anything serious right now.”

“I know but I think I can change your mind. I think we’d make a great couple.”

“Mmm well we will see.” I was started to get annoyed with this ‘challenge’ or ‘contest’ Tanner was having between himself and Gabriel in his head. They are two different people and I feel like he should just be focused on himself but whatever. I didn’t tell Tanner but I still had some reservations about being in a serious relationship with him.

We walked into Rx Pizza and picked a table close by the window. We were sitting there eating when I heard motorcycles coming up the street. I watched as two bikes stopped at the corner in front of us. Vanessa was on the ride bike with her boyfriend and the other was another guy they were always with. The rider wasn’t with them.

“Hey Angel….” I felt Tanner nudge me.

“Sorry, what?” I dragged my eyes away from the window. Where could the rider be?

“Do you want more soda?” I didn’t notice that the waitress had come up to the table.

“Oh yea sure, thanks” I handed her my cup.

“You ok?” Tanner asked.

“Yea I’m fine, just zoned out for a minute.” I smiled at him and glanced over at Ciara. I had a feeling she knew I was not zoned out and actually looking at something, she just couldn’t see what. The waitress came back with my soda as we finished eating. The boys and Dominque stood up to go pay the bills.

“Hey it’s ok I got yours,” Eric gestured to Dominique.

“Well you don’t have to but thanks!” she sat back down with us. “Ciara he’s so sweet! I like him.”

“Thanks, he is,” she moved closer to me, “ok what were you staring at out the window?”

“I saw that Vanessa girl and her boyfriend and the other guy they ride with but I didn’t see the rider. I seems odd that he wasn’t with him.” I whispered.

“Maybe he just hasn’t met up with them yet,” Dominque whispered.

I couldn’t give an answer because the boys came back to the table. “Ready to go?” Tanner asked grabbing my hand.  We walked out onto the street. The bars were starting to fill up and the street was busy. The DJ was already going strong when we walked into Club Dragon. We did a few shots at the bar and hit the dance floor.  We danced and did several rounds of shots til almost one o’clock in the  morning.

“I think I need to sit down before my feet fall off!” Ciara yelled to me over the music.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Eric answered. He and Ciara lead the way upstairs. There is a small bar up here with four pool tables. Several couches and tables were also up here. I flopped onto a couch opposite of Ciara. Dominque pulled up a chair from a nearby table.

“I’m gonna grab a beer you want anything?” Tanner asked.

“Yea I’ll take a whiskey and soda, thanks.”

He leaned down and kissed me, “anything for you.”

Ciara smiled at me as he walked away, “you guys are cute.”

“I thought you were team Gabriel?” I asked.

“We can pick teams?” Dominque added.

I rolled my eyes, “I guess you can.”

Dominque laughed, “I’ll need more info before I make my decision.”

“I am team Gabriel but that doesn’t mean that you guys don’t look cute together.” Ciara said.

“Now you and Eric are cute. Do you see the way he keeps looking at you?”

She blushed, “Yes! He’s a really sweet guy.” The boys walked up. Tanner handed Dominque a beer and me my drink. They both dropped down onto the couches. We were sitting there talking about various things when I saw a weird look come across Dominque’s face. I turned to see where she was looking and I saw Jason coming up the stairs. I stiffened next to Tanner and he turned to see Jason at the same time he saw us. Ciara leaned over to whisper to Eric, probably telling him who we were all looking at.

“Well……….if it isn’t my ex girlfriend and my ex best friend!” Jason came to stand in front of our group.

“Jason don’t start with us,” Tanner took his arm from around me and leaned up.

“Start what? I’m not the one who just took off and didn’t talk to my friends again. I’m also not the one dating a friend’s ex girlfriend.”

“Didn’t she leave you? What she does is none of your business,” Eric interjected. He leaned up and placed his beer on the floor.

“Who the f**k are you? None of this is your business.” Jason said to Eric.

“Leave him out of this,” Tanner stood up. Eric did the same.

“Oh so you found yourself a new friend and took my girl. I guess I shouldn’t be upset….it’s not the first time we’ve shared girls is it Tanner?” Jason sneered. I could see Tanner’s face getting redder, he balled his hands into fists.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“So he hasn’t told you then?” Jason had an evil smile on his face.

I keep looking from Tanner to Jason. “Shut up!” Tanner yelled at him. The guy behind the bar and a few others had already started to notice us.

“You need to leave,” Eric went to stand beside Tanner.

“Can’t say I’m surprised Tanner,” Jason was starting to get cocky, “you always did like my sloppy seconds.”

I didn’t have any time to process what he said before Tanner had tackled Jason. The girls and I jumped back as the fight got bigger. Some guy that had come with Jason came running from the bar and tried to help him fight Tanner. That’s when Eric joined the fight. Four huge bouncers came up the stairs, one of them screamed, “THAT’S ENOUGH!”

Each one grabbed a guy and dragged them outside to the curb. The bouncer in charge addressed them all, “sit down and be quiet. The cops have been called.”

All the guys sat on the sidewalk while we stood nearby to Eric and Tanner. A cop pulled up a few minutes later and took Ciara, Dominque and my statements first.

“Ok ladies I think I’ve got all I need from you. You can go ahead and leave, I have your numbers if I need anything else.”

“Do you know how long it will be before you’re done with them?” Ciara asked pointing to Eric and Tanner.

“They were our ride here,” Dominque explained.

The officer let out a sigh, “Well, I’m waiting for someone else to come help me with statements. I also see they are wearing dog tags, if they are current military members I may have to call their superior officer. I don’t know if they will be driving home tonight.”

“Oh..” Ciara sounded worried for Eric. I don’t want Eric getting in trouble over something that he really isn’t involved in. Tanner on the other hand, I wanted to know more about what Jason had said. It doesn’t seem like I’m going to get any answers tonight though.

“Is there someone else who can give you a ride?” the officer asked.

“Yea,” I pipped up, “I can get us a ride.” The officer walked away to talk to the head bouncer.

“Who are you going to call?” Dominque asked.

“I don’t want to call Christian because him and Dru are probably sleeping. I’ll call Gabriel and see if he’s awake.” I walked up the sidewalk to call him while Ciara went to go talk to Tanner and Eric.

Gabriel’s phone kept ringing. I was beginning to think he was asleep when he finally answered. “Hey good looking!” there was a lot of people talking in the background.

“Gabriel? I need your help…..”

“Where are you?” his voice instantly became serious. The people in the room with him must of noticed because suddenly everyone was quiet.

“I’m at Club Dragon….Ciara and Dominque are with me too and we need a ride back to my house. I didn’t want to wake up my brother…”

“I’m on my way, I’ll be right there ok?” he seemed concerned and I could hear shuffling behind him.

“Ok, we’re out front, I’ll see you in a few.” I hung up and walked back to where everyone was standing.  I could hear Eric reassuring Ciara that he was going to be ok.

“It’s ok I haven’t been in trouble before so I’m sure I can handle it, I promise.” He stood up to give her a hug. Tanner stood when he saw me coming.

“Eric you didn’t have to do that but thank you,” I smiled at him.

“Anything for Ciara’s friends.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

I turned to Tanner, he had an expression on his face like a guilty puppy. “Look I don’t want you in trouble but I also want an explanation on what the hell Jason said back there.” I crossed my arms and stood in front of him.

“Angel I’m sorry…..but I did tell you I did things in the past I’m not proud of but I’m not like that anymore. I’m trying to prove it to you.”

“I think there might be more too it than that from the way it sounded.”

“I can explain everything but I’d rather not do it here right now.”

“Ok I will let it slide for tonight. Thank you for standing up for me.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You can always count on me.” he smiled at me but it quickly faded when I heard someone calling my name.

“Angel?! Angel are you ok?” Gabriel had pulled up in a car I didn’t recognize.  I walked over to him as he got out of the car. He wrapped me up in a big hug and gave a sigh of relief. “What the hell is going on here?” he asked me.

“I’m ok….we were all out and Ciara’s boyfriend and Tanner got into a fight with my ex. The cops still have to take their statements and told us to leave.” He pulled me away at arms length to look at me. I guess he was checking to make sure I wasn’t lying about being okay.

“Ok, you really scared me, I’m glad you’re ok. Are you ready to go?”

I waved Ciara over to us. I turned towards Tanner and could see him glaring at Gabriel. I decided not to push it and just told Gabriel, “I’m ready.” He put his arm around me and steered me towards the car. I swear I could feel Tanner’s eyes staring at me and Gabriel. Ciara said goodbye to Eric while Gabriel opened the door for us all to climb in. He jumped into the passenger seat.

“Oh everyone this is my cousin Roman, we were getting things ready for our abuelo’s birthday party tomorrow when you called.”

“Hi everyone!” Roman called back to us as he drove away. I could tell he looked similar to Gabriel as I studied him in the rearview mirror. He kept his hair much shorter than Gabriel’s though, and he had fewer tattoos.

We piled out as he pulled up to my house. Ciara hugged me, “I’m gonna run home and wait on Eric to call me.”

“Ok let me know when you get there.” I answered. Dominque was leaning against the car talking to Roman. Gabriel grabbed me into a tight hug again. I hugged him back tightly and taking in deep breaths of his cologne.

“You really had me worried Angel….”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to..”

“It’s ok, I’m glad your safe.” He kissed me.

“I was hoping you’d answer my call.”

He tilted my chin up so he could stare into my eyes, “I will always answer your call, I don’t think you realize I’d do anything for you.”

“I do now…I know now how much I can count on you.” I reached up and kissed him.

“We need to get back and finish with abuelo’s surprise party. You still want to come tomorrow?”

“Absolutely!”

“Ok I’ll see you tomorrow, get some sleep,” he motioned for Roman to get in the car. Dominque walked over to me and we waved as they drove off.

“I gave him my number…” she winked at me.

“What??”

“I gave Roman my number.”

“Really?”

“Yea! He’s cute! And if I’m going to be on team Gabriel I guess I should go all in.” she laughed.

I hugged her goodbye and told her to text me when she gets home. Christian and Dru were asleep when snuck in the house. I changed clothes and laid in bed. I fell asleep while running all the possibilities through my head of what Jason said.