Skyla’s POV

Goose and I left Diablo with Eloise with explicit instructions to go find her brother. Despite my protest, Goose had insisted on taking his motorcycle to dinner so Diablo going with us was out of the question.

He found it hilarious that while it was pretty clear, Xavier and I had a history I had never ridden a motorcycle before, I had to nervously admit that this would be my first time.

“I’ve gotta warn you,” he said “I don’t usually take things slow and easy.”

Racing across town on the back of his motorcycle was a brand new sensation. While Goose isn’t as tall as Xavier, he is still at least a foot taller than I am with my arms wrapped around him I can tell he’s much more muscular than he looks.

The ride was fun, although I’m pretty sure he drove as fast as he did to keep my arms wrapped tightly around him. Before I know it we’re pulling up in front of a pizza place that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.

“I hope this is fine. I’ve been craving pizza for days” he says.

“Pizza sounds great but I don’t know how you expect me to walk after a ride like that” I tease.

Goose lets out a deep laugh while helping me off of his motorcycle before I can take another step towards the door he scoops me up off the ground, bridal style, making me squeak in surprise. We get plenty of odd looks as he carries me through the restaurant, but he doesn’t seem to notice the gawking stares and whispering voices. Instead he heads straight towards the booth along the back wall, setting me on the seat before sliding in next to me.

“Better?” He smirks.

Laughing as I shake my head, plenty eyes still watching us carefully. “You are ridiculous, the whole place was staring at you.”

“They’re not watching me, babe. All eyes are on you… especially mine.”

“Oh? Smooth, real smooth.” 

Soon enough a waitress comes by to get our order, while I’m waiting for our drinks and food I take a moment to check my phone, hoping there are no messages about Diablo biting anyone.

Skyla: How’s my boy? Behaving, I hope.

Ellie: Fine, not fighting anyone yet. A little pouty you left with Goose. Diablo’s great though :P

Skyla: Just keep them both in line!

“He’s an idiot.” Goose comments, prompting me to apologize and put my phone away.

“I’ve only just met you a week ago and I can not get you off my mind, if our roles were reversed, and some jackass came up with the suggestion that you belonged to them for any amount of time I would've broken their fucking nose.” He admits, folding his hands on top of the table and leaning back. 

This sentiment makes me smile, I can’t pretend to know what goes on in Xavier‘s head, but in this moment, I’m happy to be here with Goose. I reach over and place my hand on his muscular tattooed forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. It’s enough to make him relax, his leg brushes against mine beneath the table.

A comfortable silence falls between us until the waitress returns with her order. I have a large slice of pepperoni pizza, and a lemonade. He’s ordered three slices of supreme pizza and a beer. He smothers all three slices in a hot sauce from across the table, which makes me laugh. 

“You like it spicy huh?”

“I like my food hot,” he teases bumping me with his elbow “just like my woman.”

I offer a correction. “Women?”

“Nope, just you.”

I’m sure by now I’m a blushing fool to save face I tell him to shut up and eat. We chat between bites getting to know each other a bit more and after I’m finished I find myself watching him enjoy his own meal. I can’t help but study the tattoos covering his arms just like I can’t stop wondering how much of the rest of him is covered too.

“Now you’re staring.” He teases.

“Admiring, they’re very well done.”

“Thanks, but I gotta know, what’s the story? How’d you end up on the steps of a motorcycle club?”

“I wanted my car back,” I shrug “got a lot more than I bargained for.”

“Not that I want to talk about another man on our date but… you and Xavier, you’re not…”

“Together?” I offer, smiling that he couldn’t even say it. “No, not in any official sense.”

“But you have?”

“We’re both adults here, you can ask if I’ve had sex with him and the answer to that would be yes. Everything changed after he left for that job though. Something has been different about him and different between us.

“And it’s like you said he didn’t fight too hard about this idea of me belonging to someone else so maybe that’s all I needed to know.”

The heat in his gray-blue eyes is captivating as he leans in close, putting one hand on the back of the booth and another on my hip turning my body to face him. “I guess it does, and I intend to enjoy every minute with you if you let me.”

My voice comes out as just a whisper as I stare into those eyes. “What exactly did you have in mind Andrew?”

“Well, I was thinking we’d catch a movie at the drive-in nearby, but hearing my name on your lips is giving me other ideas.”

“A drive-in?” I perk up, intrigued. “On a motorcycle?”

“Come on, there’s a blanket in my pack. I promise it’ll be fun.” He says and he stands to leave offering a hand to help me out of the booth.

With a nod, I slide to the end of the booth, taking his hand and smiling up at him. Goose reaches out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and just as he leans down I think he’s gonna kiss me. instead he scoops me up again to carry me out of the restaurant. Despite my loud protest, he holds me tight to his chest laughing the whole way to the parking lot.

It’s a short drive, as promised, to the drive-in theater. It’s a giant single screen a sight to see in its own right. We found a spot and lay out the blanket. I excuse myself to the bathroom with promises of returning with popcorn and drinks, even though neither of us are really hungry after our dinner. 

Before I make it back to our spot with the snacks, I’m hyper aware footsteps growing closer behind me and I am suddenly missing Diablo. The setting sun is casting weird shadows that leave me even more on edge. I walk a little bit faster when someone steps out from between the cars in front of me… I stop cold, feeling trapped.

“There you are, I was starting to get worried you’d ditched me for some pretty boy.” Goose says as he gets closer. He smile dims as he takes in my frazzled state.

“Just got a bit turned around, I feel awfully exposed out here with Diablo around.” I’m confused by the relief I feel being next to him again.

Goose smiles as he takes the snacks from my hand, “l can assure you you’re far from exposed, which is unfortunate, but I get that this is probably a little weird for you and I'm sorry about that, I should’ve walked with you.”

Turning around to see that no one was actually following me. It was just people trying to get back to their places before the movie starts.

Following Goose back to the makeshift picnic I take a seat as he places the giant popcorn and bottled sodas down next to me. Goose decides to sit behind me, placing one of his long legs on either side of me before he leans forward, his chin on my shoulder to whisper in my ear. “They’re playing Dawn of the Dead.”

“Snyder or Romero?” I ask excitedly. Nothing like getting lost in a good zombie movie to ease the anxiety of everyday life.

“Not a clue,” he admits “I take it I won’t have to hold you through the scary parts then?”

“No, I love these kind of movies. I can hold you through the scary parts though.” He flicks a kernel of popcorn at me, but says he’ll hold me to it.

I scoot back until I’m leaning against him, my head falling back on his shoulder as the film starts. For being all muscle he makes for a pretty comfy chair. His deep breathing causes my whole body to rise and fall with each breath. It’s about halfway through the movie before either of us say another word.

“I like holding you, you’re so small.” Goose whispers.

“Ah yes, just what every short woman wants to hear... how small she is.”

“I mean, I like the way your body fits with mine and how I could cover you with all of me.”

“You’re so weird.” I can’t help but laugh. 

As I say this he begins to fold up his legs, pushing my own in as he does. He then takes my hands in each of his and wraps them around my body, until we’re all tied up and entangled together. The warmth of his body surrounding me in the cool air of the early evening… feels safe. He sits up a little straighter, placing his chin on the top of my head. He smells amazing, like whiskey and citrus. I find myself inhaling a little deeper, trying to breathe more of him in.

“See, perfect fit.” 

Suddenly overwhelmed with how right this feels I make myself speak up.“Thank you for today, Andrew. I really needed this.”

“Our date is far from over babe, but I hope that no matter what tomorrow brings I’ll get to do this again.” 

“Mhmm, I’m sure that line works on all the pretty girls.” I just can’t help but try to wreck this, can I? He’s been nothing but great and I’ve got to open my big mouth.

He shakes his head, and with a heavy sigh says “no, I meant when I said earlier. There is no one else. I don’t fool around at the clubhouse. Those girls get passed around more than a bong among stoners.”

“Gross!” I laugh. “I did not need that mental image.”

Wiggling free of his grasp, I turn around to face him. Tucking my feet underneath me as I study his face for the truth. Goose meets my gaze with sincerity and amusement.  “Doesn’t make it any less true, you’re the first woman to catch my eye in a long time… but you ought to turn around you’re gonna miss the end of the movie.”

I lean forward to whisper in his ear. “You mean the end of the movie where they make it to the boat and sail away, seemingly safe in the end. Only for everything to go wrong and force them to dock the boat. Or the part where they all die while being overrun by more zombies, am I missing that part of the movie Andrew?”

“Why am I not surprised you’ve already seen this?”

“I’m just surprised we’re still here.”

“Say less.” He’s on his feet and tossing our trash in the nearest garbage can quickly. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

As Andrew puts the blanket back in his pack, he tells me to ride in front of him on the way back. Of course I protest, not knowing at all how to drive a motorcycle “Absolutely not. Do you have a death wish?”

“I’m still steering, but it’s getting cold out and you’ll be much warmer this way. I’m plenty tall enough to see around you. Just tie back your hair or something, okay? I need you to trust me.”

I’m hesitant, but braid my hair back and out of the way before straddling the motorcycle with a little help. He settles in behind me, pushing me forward as he starts the engine and reaches for the handlebars. Goose instructs me to hold onto his hands. When I do he brushes his lips over the back of my neck, goosebumps rise all over my body.

“Ready?” He asks.

I don’t trust my voice not to betray me so I just nod. 

Soon we’re racing back towards the compound. Sitting in front of Goose is a completely different thrill, he weaves us around the trucks and cars on the highway with ease. I try my best to control my breathing. And keep my eyes open. Praying he can’t feel my heart beating against my chest.

Once were parked outside the bar, Goose helps me down before wrapping an arm around my waist. I can’t help a pull away slightly but he reassures me. “It’s just for appearances until we get through the bar.”

“Oh, it’s not that. I was going to get my bag out of my car.” Eloise and I had packed bags in case we were actually staying for the weekend. Never in a million years would I have guessed that it might be with someone other than Xavier.

“I’ll take it, we can leave it in my room for now.”

I barely get my trunk unlocked before he snatches up the duffel bag without any hesitation and then wraps his arm back around my waist as we walk through the door. Goose gets plenty of complaints about him leaving early, and a few men actually try to stop him, but he expertly maneuvers us through the horde and protectively keeps me close. As we step in to the much less crowded lounge, he drops his hand from my waist.

Goose offers his hand for me to hold while pointing up a set of dark stairs with the other, letting me know that’s where church will be tomorrow. I take his hand, feeling safe enough to do so, and check my phone as I walk behind him, letting him lead me blindly through the maze of this compound without any worry whether or not I can trust him. 

Ellie: hope ur having fun, lots of people here

Ellie: Diablo seems anxious. any tips?

Ellie: i’m turning in. find us in Xavier’s room

Ellie: nvm. he won’t settle. Diablo will be in Goose’s for when u get back. 

I’m so busy reading through Eloise’s text that I hadn’t even realized we’ve stopped walking already.

“Alright, this is me.” Goose announces, turning the handle and pushing the door open.

Oh shit! I jump in front of Goose just in time to put myself between him and the over one hundred pounds of barking black fury. Standing up straight, and crossing my arms in front of me while waiting for Diablo to finish his tantrum.