12. On The Edge

Casey’s POV 

I was totally helpless, and now I had to listen to Noah’s baseless anger.

“I just went to the bookstore and…”

It was so hard to explain. My tears weren’t just from the fear of being harassed by a stranger; they were also from the heartbreak of breaking up with Anthony.

Noah stared at me, seemingly annoyed by my stupid actions. How was I supposed to know this town was in such a bad state? That biker gangs were a terror? I never thought any of that would happen to me.

My tears started flowing again. This was all I could do to express the broken, painful feelings inside me.

“You should’ve asked someone to go with you!”

“Lucas went with me to the bookstore.”

“Lucas?” Noah smirked. “That coward? He left you, didn’t he?”

“I told him to go ahead. I needed time to process things after I accidentally sent that video to Anthony…” I stopped. It seemed I’d said too much.

Noah smiled, though his gaze was still sharp on me.

“So you finally sent the video to your boyfriend?”

I looked away. I hated Noah’s triumphant smile, as if this was exactly what I was supposed to do. I didn’t want to break up with Anthony. I loved him, but I couldn’t stand his behavior. My best friend had sent me proof that Anthony had been cheating on me all along.

“We’re not talking about that.” I tried to change the subject.

“What was his reaction?” Noah was still curious.

“Do we have to talk about that? After I was just harassed on the street? I was forced to suck some stranger’s dick! It was disgusting!” I shrieked, annoyed.

Noah’s gaze and smile changed. His eyes tried to process what I’d just experienced.

“Next time, don’t ever go out alone,” Noah said, his voice softer, though still arrogant. “In this town, you can’t look weak. No one will guarantee your safety.”

“But why are other people fine?”

“Because they’re from here. They know the safe places to go. Why were you walking somewhere so deserted? Wood Town is a small town. We know almost everyone here, and you clearly look like an outsider. You could get hunted down by those bastards!”

Noah’s voice was loud, but his words showed concern.

“Why do you care about me?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want any trouble. I already told my dad you’re my girlfriend. So, I need to make sure you don’t cause problems too.”

I was wrong. I thought Noah cared about me. I didn’t know him. I didn’t know what he was doing in this town. Even though he was the mayor’s son, he was involved with a biker gang.

“I’m sorry,” I said. I didn’t want to argue. “But how do I get home?”

Noah looked out the small window on the right side of the place. He observed carefully.

“We’ll wait until things calm down. Cops are still patrolling.”

I sighed. Why was I stuck in a situation I didn’t want, again?

“I want to go home,” I said softly. I wanted to cry again.

Noah came closer, looking me up and down, then focusing on my face.

“Your cheek’s red, a slap mark. What are you gonna tell your mom?”

“Huh?” I panicked. I rummaged through my bag for a small mirror to check my cheek. And sure enough, my cheek was red, clearly a slap or punch mark. My mom would freak out if she knew about this.

“Oh, no.” I closed my eyes, confused. “She’ll go hysterical.”

Noah suddenly moved, searching for something inside. There was a small room, like a kitchen. He grabbed a small fridge and pulled out a bottle of alcohol, then handed it to me.

“Compress it with this. It’ll make it better.”

I hesitated, but there was no harm in trying. I took the bottle and pressed it to my red cheek. The pain was still so intense. That guy’s hand was mighty. I was too scared even to realize how much it hurt.

Noah kicked a small wheeled chair, sending it rolling closer to me.

“Sit. You’re about to faint.”

His manner was rough, but he was actually being considerate. I didn’t know what Noah’s true character was like. At least I was safe from that guy. I just wasn’t sure if I’d be safe from Noah.

I sat on the chair Noah offered. I felt uneasy. I was still wary. My body was still shivering. Suddenly, Noah grabbed a jacket. He just tossed it over me.

“Don’t look so scared. It makes me look like a bad guy.”

“Aren’t you just like that guy? You’re also part of a biker gang.”

“I’ve never raped a woman.”

“But you sleep with a lot of women!”

Noah glared at me. I immediately looked down. That intimidating stare kept bothering me.

“You know a lot about me,” Noah said. “Are you that curious?”

“I’m not curious. I heard it from the girls in class.”

Noah laughed. His laugh was too dismissive, but something was intriguing about it. It looked captivating. I couldn’t even stop staring at him.

“Don’t stare at me too long. If you fall for me, I guarantee you’ll regret it.”

“I won’t fall for you!”

“Really?” Noah moved closer to me, knelt, and leaned in. “No one’s ever escaped my charm, Girl.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I won’t love you. I only love…”

“Anthony?” Noah mocked me. “You love a guy who cheated on you? You’re foolish. That’s why he cheated. You’re too easily fooled.”

“Shut your fucking mouth!”

I didn’t ask for his opinion. I was annoyed, but I had no choice but to stay here because I didn’t even know my way home. I was truly pathetic.

I stood up, about to leave this place, when Noah suddenly grabbed my hand.

“I have to go home. I can’t be late or my mom will make a scene!”

“You can’t go that way. Cops are on patrol.”

I stayed silent as Noah walked further inside, pulling my hand. We went downstairs using the stairs inside the building. We entered another different room. Even further down. It seemed like a basement. Several bikes were lined up there. Noah grabbed one and got on it.

“I’ll take you,” Noah said.

I had to put aside my annoyance. I had to go home. After everything that happened, I needed a safe space. I wanted to be in my room. So, I went home with Noah.

***

We arrived home without any drama. We took some small residential roads, and I had no idea where they were. We made it to the side of my house without a hitch and right on time. I quickly got off the bike. Before going inside, I had to make sure I thanked Noah. Even though he was annoying, he helped me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“What?” Noah chuckled. “Wow, that’s the first time I’ve heard you say something nice to me.”

“I won’t say it again. I’m going inside!”

I quickly walked towards the front of the house, but I was startled by my mom opening the gate. She was about to go out.

“Oh, shit!”  I instantly turned around. I pulled Noah off his bike.

“What the hell?” Noah was confused, but he got off his bike.

I pulled Noah slightly away so my mom wouldn’t see him. We hid behind the house. Luckily, there were some thick climbing plants there so that we could hide.

“Hey, Girl.”

“Shut up. My mom’s out front!” My voice was a whisper, but it had a lot of pressure.

I glanced towards the front of the house to check if my mom was still there, then I turned back. Accidentally, I came face-to-face with Noah. Our lips were only a few centimeters apart. Just one step more and our lips would meet. Our position was too close and so intense. Noah’s breath brushed against my face, giving me a sensation I couldn’t explain.