First Chances Read Free Page B

pulled open the passenger side door and waited for her to get in, before walking around to the other side of the car and climbing in myself.
    While Hadie warmed her hands, I turned back to see my sister watching us with wide eyes. She had met Hadie before, but I wasn’t sure if she recognized her out of the Belle’s Diner uniform.
    “You remember Hadie, right? She works with me.”
    Hailie nodded shyly. “Yeah, she gave me a free sundae once. It had extra chocolate sauce on it.”
    Hadie turned around in her seat, smiling kindly at her. “You just looked like a girl who loved chocolate sauce.”
    I tried not to laugh as I started up the car. In reality, I’d made that sundae, but I let Hadie take the credit for it. It was nice to see her smile, even if it was over dessert.
    We were all silent for the first few minutes until Hadie finally cleared her throat. I darted a quick glance at her and saw a huge crease on her brow as she watched me.
    Uh-oh. This couldn’t be good.
    “Eddie, I need to tell you something,” she said, quickly checking to see if Hailie was listening in on us.
    She’d actually fallen right back asleep again.
    “Yeah?”
    I heard her take a deep breath. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but I really don’t need you to.” She sounded strangely sober now, and I wondered if the situation had helped clear her head a little.
    My jaw tensed. “Okay.”
    “I mean it,” she hurried on. “It’s just, I know what I’m doing, and to others it might not look like I know what I’m doing, which is all very well, because sometimes I do wonder if I could be doing something differently and I freak out and question myself, but that’s not the point.”
    She was doing that rambling thing she always did.
    “What is the point then?” I asked.
    Hadie took another breath as though she was trying to regain her composure.
    “My point is that you don’t need to look out for me. I really do appreciate the way you’ve stuck by me the last few months, but you can stop now. I can take care of myself.”
    “Huh.” I mused. “So hanging out with a thug is taking care of yourself?”
    “He’s not a thug,” she said a matter-of-factly. “He’s in the Madden gang.”
    I nearly slammed on the brakes. “What the hell! You’re hanging out with a random guy from the Madden gang? How do you even know a guy from the Madden gang?”
    The Madden gang was a notorious motorcycle gang based out of Penthill, which was about a thirty minute drive from where we lived in Statlen. They were responsible for all the criminal activity that occurred in Penthill and its surrounding areas.
    “He’s friends with Vincent,” she said, her voice soft.
    Ah. Now it made sense. Vincent Madden was the guy who was dating one of Hadie’s best friends, Estella Markson. And, yes, the gang had been named after Vincent’s family.
    “Hadie, just because Estella somehow managed to find the only decent member of a dangerous motorcycle gang doesn’t mean that you will too.”
    I didn’t care that I sounded harsh. I was so frustrated at the ridiculous situation Hadie was putting herself in. How could she not see how stupid she was being?
    “Three’s not like that,” she said, but her voice wavered a little and I could tell she wasn’t entirely confident in what she was saying.
    “Right, if you say so. I’m sure Lincoln would love that you’re putting out to a criminal.”
    A stinging sensation and a clapping sound hit me at the same time, making my head spin. My cheek was on fire as I turned to glance at Hadie, who was breathing heavily, red in the face.
    I’d crossed a line. I’d just acted like a complete asshole. I couldn’t believe those words had just left my stupid mouth.
    “I’m sorry,” I immediately said, but from the deadly look in her eyes I knew the damage was done. “That was a terrible thing to say.”
    As Hadie’s house came into view, I slowed down and pulled over, turning my body to face hers. Her eyes