Tread: Biker Romance (Ronin MC Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

Should I have stayed back there?” I glanced over, like I expected the dog to tell me, ‘Absolutely, Gracie. This will pay off, just you wait’.
    Finally, I spotted an old sun-faded billboard advertising butter pecan frozen custard at the next exit—the first exit after a hundred miles with signs of life.
    Biting my lip, I put on my blinker and slowly made my way down the turn off. At the stop sign, I looked both ways, not seeing anything but mesquite trees and barren land, so I crossed my fingers on both hands and hoped the billboard was pointing in the direction of the custard stand.
    Twenty-seven long minutes later I was about to have an anxiety attack. There was nothing, anywhere. I hadn’t seen another car since leaving the highway.
    Finally, I crested a hill and saw the makings of a town up ahead. At least I could turn around. The ditches on the side of the road were too steep for me to attempt before.
    Passing a newer gas station, the second thing I saw looked to be the old gas station, but instead of pumps under the awning were picnic tables. There were no words on the ancient, peeling sign except the faded resemblance of an ice cream cone.
    “I found it!” I yelled in the silent car, causing Bella to jolt awake with one last snort and slobbery shake of her jowls.
    Pulling over, I opened my door and was immediately blasted with over one hundred-degree temperatures. I stretched, my stiff muscles making me realize I must have been driving for longer than I thought. There were a few kids at the little window of the shop, so I grabbed the dog’s leash and got behind them, smiling when they turned to look at me.
    When it was my turn, I ordered a huge waffle cone filled with butter pecan frozen custard and the worker mentioned me it was only available once a week.
    I felt lucky I saw the sign at the first spoonful and stifled a groan at the smoothness of the perfect custard.
    Bella let out a pitiful whine, licking her sagging lips. I felt bad that she had to sit on the hot concrete, but at least we were in the shade. “No, baby. You’ll break out in hives. It’s really not all that good, I swear,” I lied to her.
    A loud rumble brought my head up. I watched a huge pickup truck with big lights on the top of it bounce as it hit the uneven parking lot. I nibbled on my waffle cone and watched as three girls tumbled out of the monstrosity, giggling and pushing each other.
    My back straightened unconsciously when I noted they were the kind of girls that had made fun of me my whole life, except for Holly. The homecoming queens and the cheerleaders. I ate my custard slowly, and took a little white plastic spoon to eat the melted parts, conspicuously watching the women in their tight workout clothes with envy. Why couldn’t I be like that? I bet they made amazing tips. I shuddered at the thought and stood, throwing my trash away. I loaded up my dog and got in the car. Immediately the car dinged, telling me I was low on gas.
    When I pulled out, the big truck almost ran my little car over it reversed so fast. I slammed on the brakes and held my chest at the near accident. A girl waved her hand out the window, I assumed in apology, and pulled out into the street. I was right behind them, but when I pulled away from the custard stand, my car lurched then came to a dead stop. Hard.
    I screamed, my tires squealed, and I barely stopped my nose from breaking on the steering wheel. My hand automatically flew to the side, preventing Bella from hitting the dash as she yelped. I stared, frozen as an oncoming car slammed on it’s brakes to avoid hitting me.
    Suddenly, there was a flock of women running in the road. The blonde—one of the three—talked to the driver, and then I lost her from my sight when black Lycra filled my window.
    She scowled and I didn’t know what she wanted me to do. She opened the door and I jolted back away from her.
    “Hey, kid. You gotta put the car in neutral so we can get it out of the