Snow White & The Biker

by Glenna Maynard

  I shrug and offer him a weak smile. Tears burn in the back of my throat. I hate knowing that I’m hurting him, but this needs to stop now before he gets any other ideas in his head about a romantic relationship ever developing between us. “I can’t answer that. It’s like asking why the sky is blue or why leaves are green, or birds sing. You’ll always be my best friend. Always. But I don’t see you the way that you see me. I’m sorry if I ever gave you the impression we could be something more. I never wanted to hurt you. You’re my best friend. I do love you, Jesus. I do.” A tear trickles down my cheek and I swipe it away.

  He nods and offers me a sad smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. His arms wrap around me in a tight embrace and he kisses the top of my head. I breathe in his familiar scent of sandalwood and vanilla. A smell that has always made me feel safe. Looking up at him I hope that this means we will be okay. I try to pull back. “I should go. It’s late and I’m tired.”

  “You can sleep over. Mom won’t mind. You know she adores you.”

  “I think we both know that’s a bad idea.”

  “I’ll sleep on the couch. You’ve been drinking and I don’t feel right letting you drive.”

  “I’ll be fine. I don’t even feel buzzed.”

  “Sybi…” he squeezes me again, and I try to break away.

  “Hey now. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  Not letting me go, Jesus holds me tighter and gazes into my eyes with a weird expression on his face. “I’ve always wanted you. I get it. You’re still young and need to experience life a little more, but in time I know you’ll come to see that we’re meant to be. You were made for me. All I’ve ever wanted is to make you my girl. Put my ring on your finger and give you my last name. Start a family. We could build a house on the opposite end of the farm. You love it here.”

  “Jesus.” I shake my head. “You paint a pretty picture, but it’s not going to happen. It’s not what I want.”

  He silences me by bringing his mouth down on mine. It’s a sloppy kiss that feels all wrong. Like I am kissing my brother. He doesn’t make me feel alive in the way that Diego did when he kissed me. Pushing my hands against his chest, I try to break away. Jesus ignores my signal and kisses me harder, trying to force his tongue into my mouth. I bite his bottom lip and smack his cheek, scratching him with my car key.

  His head whips to the side, his hand moving to his jaw. “What the hell, Sybi?”

  “I’m sorry. You wouldn’t stop. I will never want you in that way. Now please move so I can leave.”

  Tears form in his eyes, and I hate the pain I see laced there, however there is nothing I can do to change how I feel. I don’t feel that way about him. I don’t want to kiss him or hold his hand. I should have stayed on the back of Diego’s motorcycle. I suck in a breath wishing I had been selfish.

  Those obsidian eyes narrow on me and his nostrils widen as he breathes harder, clenching a fist at his side. “You feel nothing for me?” His hurt is turning to anger, and I take a step back.

  “No,” I whisper. “Not in the way you want. I’m…I’m not attracted to you.”

  He comes for me again, hooking an arm around my waist as I claw at his face. Jesus doesn’t even flinch. Smacking me as hard as he can he drags me down to the ground. Shock colors me then anger. I thrash beneath him, although I’m no match for his strength. Pinning my arms down he gazes deep into my tear streaked eyes.

  “All I ever wanted was to love you, Sybil. Why won’t you let me love you?” I turn my head and close my eyes. This is it. How it’s going to be. My best friend in the whole world is going to rape me. I never imagined that losing my virginity would be like this. I thought it would be some magical moment. A moment filled with desire and possibly love. Only this…this is hatred and greed. Jesus taking what isn’t his to take. “Look at me,” he demands, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction. I squeeze my eyes closed tighter and think about Diego. His touch. His scent. His powerful soul shattering kiss.

  Suddenly and without warning Jesus shoves away from me. I glance to the left seeing the porch light has been switched on.

  I take the opportunity to scramble to my feet.

  Jesus gives me a long hard stare that claws at my insides.

  His fist connects with the roof of my car and then he kicks the door, leaving a dent in the side. I flinch afraid of his temper. I have never seen him behave this way. It scares me. With one last look at me he swallows his pride and storms off into the night.

  I let out a ragged breath and climb into my car. With my head on the steering wheel I take a few minutes to mourn the loss of my friend. I don’t know how we can come back from this. Would he have stopped, or would he have pushed things further?

  I let out a shaky breath and wipe away my tears as I start the engine.

  As I drive away from the farm, I know I’ll never return. I take one last glance through my rearview mirror and say a silent farewell.

  There are so many things I want to say to Jesus. None of them good. This all feels like a bad dream but the stinging pain slicing across my cheek tells me different.

  How did we get here? There’s an ocean between us or there might as well be.

  I get home and wash my face and brush my teeth. Slipping into my pajamas I get into bed and lay my head on the pillow, closing my eyes. I keep picturing Jesus in my head. How angry he was.

  I never thought he’d behave like that. That he’d put his hands on me. That he’d try to force himself on me.

  I can’t forgive that.

  My tears fall and I know that tonight was goodbye.

  I have to stay away for both of us.

  Tonight wasn’t him or maybe tonight was his true colors.

  Tonight was a little of heaven and hell.

  Heaven in Diego’s kiss and hell in Jesus’ touch. My palm flattens against my cheek. The sting of his slap all too raw and fresh. I grab my phone from my nightstand and stare at Diego’s number, remembering how good he made me feel. Dancing with him. Kissing him. Climbing on the back of his black motorcycle. My arms around him…

  I drift to sleep with good thoughts of the stranger I kissed in the dark playing on a loop in the recess of my mind.

  Chapter 7

  —Sybil

  It’s been days since my fight with Jesus. Days since I had the best kiss of my life with Diego. He sent me a text message that night asking if I made it home okay. I guess he was worried about leaving me with Jesus. I didn’t tell him what happened. I feel partly to blame. And I get the feeling that Diego is the kind of guy who would go kick his ass because he can. I don’t want Jesus to hurt any more than he already is. I haven’t spoken to him and don’t plan to anytime soon. I think we both could use some space after everything—permanently. All I have for him are hard feelings that leave me feeling empty.

  He keeps texting me with apologies but I’m not ready to forgive. I’m not sure I ever will be able to get past his actions.

  No amount of I’m sorry can make up for his actions. He violated me and broke my trust. Jesus was my safe spot. The one person I thought I had in my corner. The one friend I could depend on no matter what.

  I am so far removed from him now. I glare down at my screen and do what I should have done days ago and block his number.

  Diego’s last message pops up.

  I have been texting back and forth with him. He makes me smile and laugh.

  D- Good morning, beautiful. What’s your day looking like? I’d like to see you again.

  S- Busy. Lots of laundry and reading to catch up on for school.

  D- You really gonna turn down all this for some chores?

  Attached to his text is a picture of him laying back in his bed. The sheet is covering most of his body leaving me to imagine what’s underneath. I am still in bed myself and decide to have a little fun with him too. I snap a photo of myself using my selfie stick only I tease him more than he did me. I pull the sheet down and lay on my side, showing off my bare hip where I have a small ta
ttoo of a black heart. I hit send and wait.

  D- Damn, girl. You don’t play fair.

  I don’t reply right away. I need to get in the shower and get my day started. I want to let him sweat a bit. I can’t have him thinking I’m easy. I have known his type before. The kind who loves the thrill of the chase. I have dodged getting involved with guys like that in the past but there is something about Diego that has me thinking for him I would make an exception.

  I shuffle through my day, getting caught up with my laundry and my final assignment for my business class. It’s my last assignment. Once I hit send on my business plan that’s it. I will be graduating. Then I will inherit my father’s company and deicide if I want to take my rightful place as CEO or leave it to Heath to continue to run in my place. He’s done a great job. Though there is Consuela, my step-monster to deal with. She’s been a thorn in my side since my father married her.

  I can’t wait to see the expression on her face when I toss her out on her ass and take back everything my parents built together. The family home. The charities. It will all be mine in a few weeks’ time.

  It’s getting late and I still haven’t responded to Diego. Speaking of the devil, a new text comes through from him.

  D- Going for a ride.

  My bike would look a lot better with you on the back of it.

  Instead of a text back, I dial him. I want to hear his voice.

  “Lo,” his gritty voice picks up on the third ring. A shiver slithers through me and my stomach drops like when you are on a roller coaster.

  “Pick me up outside of Imperial Apartments in thirty.” I don’t wait for him to respond. I end the call before I lose my nerve and back out. Then I shut my phone off and toss it on the coffee table. I’ll grab it on my way out.

  Rushing to my bathroom, I wash my face and brush my teeth. I glance down at my shorts and dash to my bedroom closet to grab a pair of jeans and a cute top.

  With five minutes to spare I jog out to the front of the building and wait. The loud roar of a motorcycle coming down the street sends goosebumps up and down my arms. I’m not nervous. I’m excited to see Diego again—to kiss him again. He rolls to a stop on the street in front of me. God, he looks good. Dangerous and so sexy. Dressed in dark jeans, a white tee, and leather jacket, he’s such a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings. He shrugs his jacket off and hands it to me without a word.

  I accept the well-worn leather, and inhale his scent, getting on the bike behind him as I did the other night.

  I’m being impulsive but it feels good. The bike veers onto the highway and my hair whips around my face violently. I must be crazy. This guy could be a serial killer for all I know, only I am tired of always playing it safe. When I first went away to college the media loved to follow my every move because Consuela never wanted me in the public eye. I guess they were fascinated by me because of my parents and my father’s wealth. There was a blog dedicated to my outfit choices. The whole thing was ridiculous. Eventually when I proved that I was boring and never did anything newsworthy they left me alone and my stepmother loosened her leash.

  He drives to the outskirts of town and pulls off at a bar.

  “You hungry?”

  “Um…sure.” I haven’t had dinner. I observe the rustic exterior and motorcycles filling the parking lot. This is definitely a biker bar. A neon beer sign hangs in the window.

  I follow him off the motorcycle. He turns into me. “I’m glad you called me.”

  “Me too.”

  His breath washes over me smelling of mint, and I have the urge to kiss him. I lean into him and he gets the hint. Wrapping one of his hands around the back of my head he holds me where he wants me, his chin titling down, mouth moving to claim mine. This kiss is different. I’m ready for it and though it’s still as intense, this kiss is sweeter than the last time.

  Sliding his tongue between the part of my lips he groans. I return the movement, sweeping my tongue into his mouth tasting that mint flavor I smelled on his breath.

  A motorcycle fires up and I jump.

  Diego chuckles and pulls away but not before taking my hand and knitting his fingers with mine.

  I follow him inside the dark bar. Loud classic rock blares through the speakers. Peanut shells crunch under my shoes as we travel deeper inside. The bar is crowded with men in leather and denim. Women wearing lowcut blouses and tanks paired with tight jeans and miniskirts and cut -off shorts. A few of them are gawking at Diego with hungry eyes but when they see me, they give me an evil eye.

  The place is bigger than it appeared from the outside.

  We make our way to the tables and booths. Diego stops at a booth occupied by a rough looking guy with tattoos on his face and a redhead curled into his side.

  Diego exchanges fist bumps with him and slides into the empty side, pulling me down with him into the tan leather seat.

  “Guys, this is Sybil. Sybil, meet Jericho and his Old Lady Winnie.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise, sugar.” The redhead, Winnie grins at me. I can feel both of them studying me.

  “Whactu’ want to drink, baby?” The word baby melts over me like butter he says it so smooth.

  “A beer.”

  Diego winks at me then twists around to face the bar. “Two beers, Jay,” he shouts at the man behind the counter cupping a hand around his mouth.

  Seconds later an older woman with heavy eye makeup and bright pink lipstick slides two open bottles of beer on the table in front of us.

  “We’ll take two burgers and fries, Pam,” he tells her, and she nods moving off toward the back.

  “How’d you two get hooked up?” Winnie questions, while I suck down my beer feeling anxious and wondering if I could fit onto Diego’s world.

  “Met her at one of Lennox’s shows,” Diego tells her.

  Jericho chuckles. “That bastard back in town?”

  “Not now. He owed Rusty.”

  Jericho runs a hand over his light brown hair and his mustache twitches as his lips move. “I bet he owes him more than that.”

  “You seen Wrath?” Diego changes the subject.

  “Earlier. Don’t worry. He’s gone for the night. Your Ma was having one of her fits.”

  Diego goes tense next to me, and I don’t question him though I want to know what this guy means by fits and who Wrath is. His hand slides up my thigh and gives me a squeeze.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m good.” I give him a smile, and he wraps an arm around my shoulder, resting the side of his head against mine.

  “You two look good together,” Winnie says to us, but she’s gazing at her man.

  “Don’t start your shit, Win. You’ll scare the girl off.”

  “Winnie has a third sight,” Diego tells me.

  “Oh yeah?” I swallow hard and take another swig of my beer, hoping our food comes soon. I didn’t realize how hungry I am.

  “Let me see your hand.” She holds her hand out. Her fingers are adorned in clunky silver rings and thick silver bangles cover her wrist. She reminds me of a fortune teller you’d find in a tent at a fair. I give her my right-hand palm facing up.

  Winnie massages my hand, rubbing her skinny fingers along the lines that map my skin. Her eyes close and her mouth goes tight.

  “I sense darkness around you. Betrayal. Heartache. Violence. Death. I see a man. He struck you. Marked you with his lust.”

  Diego shifts next to me.

  “I see you and Diego. Blood. So much blood.” Her eyes pop open and roll back in her head as my breath catches in my throat. Her body slumps against Jericho and he mutters a curse under his breath.

  “Is she okay?”

  “I tell her to leave that shit alone, but she doesn’t listen. Takes a lot out of her to do a reading. I better get her home. It was nice to meet you, darlin’. Take care of my boy here. Don’t pay her words no mind.”

  I nod feeling weird about what she said. She was talking about my altercation w
ith Jesus and there is no way she could have known anything about it.

  Jericho slides Winnie out of the booth and they push off moving toward the exit.

  Our food comes and Diego and I eat in silence.

  I’m shoving a fry in my mouth when he tucks a firm finger under my chin and directs my head toward him. “What went down the other night when Jesus drove you home?”

  I chew slowly and swallow. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t give me no bullshit, Sybil. What’d he do to you? Winnie is a lot of things, but one thing I never discount are her readings. You can tell me now or I’ll track him down and beat it out of him.”

  “Um… Can we talk about it later?”

  “Fine, but you will tell me the truth.”

  “Okay.” A chill works through my body, and I’m afraid of how Diego will react.

  “You want to get out of here?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s go for a ride.” He tosses some cash on the table and we file out of the loud bar.

  I get back on his motorcycle and wrap my arms around his center. The scent of leather and his cologne takes hold of me and all the tension I was feeling in the bar leaves me. There’s just something about Diego that puts me at ease.

  We travel for what seems like an hour, turning off on a gravel road that winds up the side of a mountain and back down the other side. Diego brings the motorcycle to a stop in a clearing that houses a cabin. “You live all the way out here?” I question as I follow him onto the porch.

  “Naw, it’s more of a weekend getaway fishing cabin. Was my old man’s favorite spot.” He shuffles around in the dark and unlocks the door.

  My pulse spikes, the hair on my arms stands at attention as realization hits me. I’m alone at a remote location with a guy I know absolutely nothing about. It is either crazy or really dumb. I let out a breath and cross through the doorway. Diego flips the light switch on revealing a cozy setting.

  The back of the couch is covered with a patchwork quilt. A stone fireplace takes up the center of the living room. To the left is a small kitchen and to the right is two doors that I assume lead to the bedroom and bathroom. I take off his leather jacket and sling it over the back of a chair.