The garage was alive with noise and tools clinked against metal, engines rumbled in the background, and the smell of oil filled the air.
Riley wiped grease from her hands with a rag, tossing it onto the workbench, The Vipers' clubhouse was just across the street, and the steady hum of motorcycles coming and going made her feel grounded.
Sam leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her work.
He was one of the oldest members of the Vipers, a man with a weathered face and sharp eyes that never missed much.
"You looked tense last night," Sam said.
Riley raised a brow. "Are you watching me now?
"Always," he replied with a smirk.
"Word is, you were at the hockey game. Didn't think that was your scene.
"It wasn't," Riley admitted, tightening a bolt on the engine she was fixing, "The girls dragged me along; they said it was for charity.
Sam's voice dropped lower, "You saw him there, didn't you?
Riley's hands froze on the wrench, She forced herself to keep moving. "Who?
"Don't play dumb with me," Sam said calmly.
"Ethan Cole. Golden boy of Silver Ridge. I saw the way he kept glancing at your section and Don't tell me you didn't notice.
Riley straightened, turning to face him and "So what if I did?
Sam studied her, his eyes narrowing.
"That man's not one of us anymore. He walked away from this life a long time ago.
The Vipers don't need him stirring things up.
Riley folded her arms across her chest.
"You think I don't know that? But you don't get to tell me how to feel about seeing someone from my past.
Sam stepped into the room, his boots heavy on the concrete. "You're loyal, Riley. Too loyal.
That's why I'm talking to you, I don't want him pulling you away from the family you've built here.
Riley's jaw tightened, "Family? That's what this is to me.
The Vipers gave me a place when nobody else cared.
You think I'm going to throw that away because Ethan Cole showed up again? You don't know me as well as you think.
Sam's tone sharpened, "I know enough and I've seen good people lose themselves because of him.
He might not have meant it, but he walked out like the rest of them. He chose the rink over the road. Don't forget that.
Riley's voice rose, "You talk like he betrayed everyone, but he was just a kid.
He made a choice for himself, Isn't that what you always tell me? That loyalty means standing by your people but also knowing when to protect yourself?
Sam's expression hardened, "You sound like you're defending him.
"I am," Riley snapped and you know why?"Because I know who he was.
He wasn't some traitor, He was my friend, Sam.
He was part of my life before the Vipers even knew my name.
Sam's eyes softened slightly, but his tone stayed firm, "That was then.
This is now and You're not a kid anymore, He's not either. People change.
Riley threw the wrench back on the bench, the clang echoing through the garage.
"And maybe people don't change as much as you think as I looked at him last night, and I saw the same person I knew. Just older, stronger.
But he still looked at me like I mattered.
Sam studied her in silence for a long moment.
"You've got fire, Riley Always has, But don't let it blind you. The Vipers will always be here for you and He won't.
Riley met his gaze, her chin raised stubbornly. "You don't know that, You don't know him the way I do.
Sam sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, "Maybe not.
But I've seen enough to know that men like him don't stay. They move on.
They find brighter lights, bigger crowds and you'll be left holding the pieces.
Riley's voice softened, but her eyes stayed fierce.
"And what if you're wrong? What if he didn't forget? What if he came back because some part of him still cares about this place, about me?
Sam shook his head.
"You're letting hope cloud your judgment.
"Or maybe you're letting bitterness cloud yours," Riley countered.
For a moment, they stood there, the hum of the garage filling the silence between them.
Finally, Sam stepped back toward the door.
"I'm not trying to fight with you, Riley, I just want you to remember who's been here for you, day in and day out.
"I know who's been here," Riley said quietly.
"And I'm grateful. But that doesn't mean I have to erase the people who mattered before.
Sam gave her a long look, then nodded slowly.
"Just… be careful, The past has sharp edges.
Don't cut yourself on it.
Riley turned back to the bike, her fingers tracing the metal as if grounding herself.
"I'll take my chances.
Sam lingered for another moment, then left, the sound of his boots fading down the hall.
Riley let out a shaky breath once she was alone then She picked up the rag again, wiping her hands, but her mind wasn't on the bike anymore.
It was on Ethan. The way his eyes had found hers,The way his voice sounded when he said her name.
She whispered into the empty garage, "You're not a ghost, Ethan, You're still real.
And maybe that scares me more than anything.
The roar of motorcycles echoed outside, pulling her back into the present as She squared her shoulders, slid the wrench back into place, and forced herself to focus.
But deep down, she knew Sam was right about one thing. The past was dangerous.
And still, she couldn't bring herself to let go of it.