Chapter 17
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The bell on the front door of Pauly's Peddlers jingled. Heidi picked up the plastic crate filled with new inventory and rounded the counter. She'd survived five days working after being rehired. Living at Glen's helped her arrive on time and falling into a routine seemed normal, until she thought about how much her life had changed since meeting Glen. When those moments happened, it was downright scary how easy it was to slip back into society.
"I'll help them, Pauly." Heidi left her boss working on repairing a chain a customer had brought in earlier in the day.
Setting the crate near the wall, she strolled over to the man looking at one of the Trek bicycles. "Is there anything I can help you with today?"
"I'm just browsing." The lean man, wearing bike shorts and a tank, grinned. "Really, I'm debating whether to splurge and buy a new bike or be the responsible adult I'm supposed to be and walk out of here and get on my perfectly good, old bike."
She clasped her hands in front of her. "What kind of bike are you riding now?"
"A Trek." The man laughed. "It's four years old and...hey, do you want to look at it?"
"Sure." She looked up and found Pauly watching her. "I’m going outside for a minute to help the customer—"
"The name's Jack," said the man.
"I’m going out to look at Jack's bike." She nodded at Pauly who waved her away. If she learned one thing, bicycle enthusiasts loved to show off their wheels the same way classic car owners could talk for hours about all the work they put into their vehicle.
Outside, she stood in front of a well-used bike in great condition. "Tell me what you like about the new model that's tempting you to buy?"
"The new bearings and tire clearance. When I started out, I only rode on the street. I've since ventured onto the bike paths through some of the local trails." Jack crossed his arms and cocked his head, looking at his bike. "I also need new toe grips, but I want to keep the pedals I use now. I upgraded six months ago, and I'm happy with them."
"Were you serious about whether to buy new or not?" she asked.
"Definitely." He shrugged without uncrossing his arms. "I'm just not sure I can validate the expense when this bike serves its purpose."
"You can upgrade your bike for a quarter of the money you would buying a brand new one." She pointed to his bike. "Call it a test period. Put a little money into upgrading this one with the things you like on the new models, see how you like the upgrades, and if you fall completely in love with the way the bicycle rides, you'll feel more confident about investing in a new bike later. The new models have a couple different paint options, and some say the bulkier frame is aesthetically pleasing."
"That makes sense." Jack raised his brows. "I would like the extra clearance when I'm on the trails. That's the major thing I want."
She opened the door, spotting the poster for the annual bike ride that made Portland famous taped to the glass. "Let me take you inside the store to talk to Pauly. He can walk you through the process and different options with an upgrade and give you an estimate—which will be a fraction of what a new bike would cost you. He works fast and can start the upgrade on your bike at your convenience. Most of the time, he can have the bicycle back to you in three or four days. Right in time for Portland's Naked Bike Ride in two weeks."
Jack's laughter followed her inside. She passed him off to Pauly and returned to the crate of supplies to stack the hangers. There were only twenty minutes until closing.
She looked out the window as she hurried to restock. Glen and the other Notus Motorcycle Club members were parked in front of Vavoom's already off work for the day. He'd let her know before he went to work that he'd be at the bar and be able to take her back to his house.
Over the last week, they'd fallen into a two-person routine. Glen took her to his house, they ate together, watched some television, and then Glen held her hand all the way upstairs to his room where they got ready for bed.
Each night, he held her.
It amazed her how easy it was to slip into a habit that she imagined only couples shared when they lived together. While she and Glen weren't having sex, he also never treated her like a roommate. It was more, but she couldn't push what they had together into a neat, little box. Deep down, she knew the bond they were creating was special.
Her pulse accelerated. She looked away from the motorcycles and filled the hook with new chains for twenty-six-inch bicycles. It was getting harder for her to settle for cuddles. Last night, she kept telling herself she'd turn around and face him. She even counted down from thirty, pushing herself to move.
But in the end, she remained with her back toward him and let him hold her.
"Thanks for the help," said Jack, behind her.
She half turned. "What did you decide?"
"I'm dropping off my bike in the morning." Jack grinned. "I'll have it back in time for the ride."
"Excellent." She watched him leave the shop and ride away.
She was still smiling when her view was blocked by a pedestrian with familiar, brown eyes that glared at her. Dropping the box she held in her hand, she stepped back in fear and ran into one of the model bikes on the showroom floor.
The bicycle toppled over. She tripped on the spinning wheel, falling on her hip and her hand. Pain ricocheted up her arm.
"Dear Lord, Ms. Heidi." Pauly appeared in front of her and widened his stance, gripping her upper arms. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head and mumbled. "Only my pride."
"Let's get you up off the floor." Pauly lifted her clear in the air and then lowered her to her feet. "What happened?"
She peeked around him and to the sidewalk outside the shop that was now vacant. "I-I just tripped."
"Don't be lying to me." Pauly tucked his double chin. "I saw the look on your face. Something scared you."
She shook her head, dizzy from the adrenaline rush of seeing Evan again within a week of the last time he found her. Now he knew where she worked.
"Hey, hey, hey..." Pauly removed his handkerchief from his back pocket and put the cloth in her hand. "Heidi, I think it's time you tell me what is going on."
She gasped for air that wouldn't fill her lungs fast enough and made her eyes water. "I can't."
"Bullshit, and pardon my French." Pauly patted her shoulder. "One of these days you're going to have to trust somebody, and seeing as how I believe you want to keep your job and I'm here with you five days out of the week, who better to help you than me?"
Glen.
Glen was the best person to trust.
He was the only person she wanted to trust.
"I'm okay, Pauly. Really." She moved her wrist and handed Pauly his handkerchief back. "Nothing's broken."
Pauly blew out his already round cheeks and shoved the small cloth in his pocket. "The offer remains open."
"Thank you." She looked at the fallen bike and bent over, picking up the handlebar and setting it back on the kickstand. "Let me put the crate away before we close."
Making her escape, she completed the rest of her duties, and when the clock on the wall reached five o'clock, she said goodbye to Pauly and walked out the front door of the shop. She looked both ways up and down the street, searching for Evan. To say she was scared was not doing the situation justice.
Evan knew she was in St. John's. He knew she worked at Pauly's Peddlers. The moment she walked across the street to the bar, Evan would know how to find her. Her list of people she needed to protect kept growing.
She could run. Just keep walking until she disappeared into the underground in Portland. Her parents would remain safe. Evan's dad wouldn't be hurt. Glen could go on and find a happy life.
The cars whizzed past her. She inhaled deeply. She couldn't keep trying to escape. One day, she'd have to face her past, and she had no idea how to protect everyone for when that time came.
The traffic blurred in her vision. She wanted more in her life than always being scared and alone. Glen made her believe she could change her life. Maybe he could also protect those she loved. While working at the bike shop wasn't something that would support her in the long run, she loved the responsibility of holding down a job, the support from Pauly, and the respect from the customers.
Two years ago, she was alone. She'd done the only thing possible to stay alive.
But, she was no longer alone. She had Glen.
She stepped off the curb and ran across the street like the devil was licking her soles. A car honked and she dodged the fender that came close to hitting her. Jumping onto the sidewalk, she threw herself at the glass door and ran smack-dab into Glen.
"What's wrong?" He pulled her away from him and held her arms.
"I..." She inhaled swiftly. "I need..."
"What, Blue?" His hold on her tightened.
She peered up into his eyes. "I need your help."
With that final declaration, she fainted.