Ride of the Heart

Chapter 2

The diner was nearly empty, with only a few locals hunched over their coffees in the dim light. Alone in the corner, sat Ivy sipping her coffee and keeping eye on the door. She'd been coming here at odd hours of the day for months now; it was one of the few places that she could feel peace. It was place she could go unnoticed, blending into the background.

Tonight though, unease prickled under her skin. She couldn't shake the words from earlier: I see you
The text had come out of nowhere, and no matter how hard she tried rationalise it, she knew it was him.

She stirred her coffee absentmindedly, quick to glance at the door every time it opened. The thought of Malcom tracking he down felt like a punch to the gut. She'd gone through hell to get away, and the idea that he could be close made her feel sick. She needed to clear her head, to think. She focused on the noise of the diner and let it filled her mind.

The door swung open again, this time Ivy's gaze landed on someone familiar, Jake. She straightened instinctively, hear heart skipping in her chest. He spotted her almost immediately, offering a nod before making his way over to her booth with his usual confidence.

"Didn't think I'd see you here," he said, his grin appearing as he slid into the seat across from her without waiting for an invitation.

She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't seem like your sorta place either."

He shrugged unbothered, "Figured I'd grab a coffee after a late night ride. But I won't lie- I'm glad I ran into you."

She tensed, unsure whether to be annoyed or secretly relieved. Jake's presence weirdly made her feel safer, but the comfort unnerved her. "Didn't peg you as the small talk type."

Jake chuckled, signalling the waitress for a coffee. "Small talk had never been my thing, but I've been curious about you." His gaze held warmth that Ivy was not used to, and for a moment, she didn't know where to look.

"It's just coffee," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. She didn't need him getting any ideas about... whatever this was. "And I enjoy quiet."

"So do I," he said, leaning back as his coffee arrived. "But I am also a fan of good company and it seems like you could use someone watching your back."

Ivy stiffened, her stomach twisting. "What makes you say that?"

"Call it a hunch." His voice softened, and he met her gaze, holding it longer than she expected. "I know what it looks like when someone is watching their surroundings a little too closely."

She tried to laugh it off but the weight of his words lingered. "No it's just a habit."

"If you say so," Jake replied, taking a sip of his coffee, though his eyes never left her face.

A silence settled between them, thick with tension and unspoken words. Ivy kept her gaze on the coffee, feeling his eyes on her, while she fights the urge to look back. She wasn't sure if she was more annoyed or intrigued, and the confusion made her more guarded.

Jake chuckled softly, "Runnings easier when you have someone watching your back."

She rolled her eyes, masking the turmoil he'd stirred up. "You really don't give up easily do you?"

He smiled. "Not when it comes to people worth knowing."

For a brief moment, Ivy began to feel her walls crack, tempted by the sincerity of his eyes. She wanted to let him in, to see if he really could be the steady presence she sensed, but then her phone buzzed on the table, shattering the moment.

Her heart sank as she glanced at the screen: another messaged from the unknown number.
You cant hide forever.

Ivy's hands shook slightly as she reached for her phone, turning it face-down before Jake could see. She took a shot breath, reminding herself to stay calm. But Jake noticed her reaction, his brows furrowed.

"Everything alright?" He asked, his voice gentler than before.

"It's fine." She replied, too quickly. " Just work stuff."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the words between them tapering off, but the air between them felt heavy. Ivy wanted to believe she could walk away from this and keep him arms length. Yet, a part of her- a part she was not ready to admit- felt safer with him.

"Take care, Ivy." He said finally, his gaze lingering as he slid out the booth. " See you around."

Ivy said nothing. She watched him leave, her heart sank as she lost sight of him.

Ivy finally paid for her coffee and walked out into the dark car park, a cold breeze cutting through her jacket. She glanced around at every shadow suddenly looking suspicious, every small noise amplified in her mind. Her hand went into her pocket, gripping her keys as she forced herself to walk to her bike with steady steps. As she reached her bike, she froze. Hanging from her handle bars was a silver locket- a piece of jewellery she hadn't seen since she left her old life behind. Her fingers trembled as she touched it, the cold surface a cruel reminder of Malcom's possessive hold on her.

The weight of the locket felt suffocating, it was a silent threat. Malcom was closer than she realised, watching her even in the quiet of this town. She shoved the locket into her pocket, feeling the world close in on her. She'd face Malcom before, and she could do it again. She had too- no one else could do it for her.

With one last look at the empty car park, she started her bike, gripping the handle bars as tightly as she could as she rode into the night. She was determined to stay one step ahead of her past.