Thirty-Six
Shark
A s I climb from my saddle and start to stretch my legs, I watch the large blacked out Dodge RAM pull into the lot and come to a stop. I knew that I had lost ‘em a few miles back when I made it through the yellow light and they got forced to stop when it changed to red. I kept going, confident that between Scarlett’s memory and the GPS spewing every turn, that they’d make it here safely behind me.
Stepping closer, I reach for the passenger side door handle, and pull it open. Scarlett’s smile is as bright as the sun, her excitement overflowing.
“I think someone was in a hurry to get back,” she grins at me, knowing that I hit the throttle to beat the light.
“I only sped up a little,” I lie, knowing that I was probably fifteen or twenty miles over the posted speed limit. That feeling on my bike is a rush like no other.
I help her down as the driver’s side door opens and Ray climbs out too. I’m glad he thought about what I said and decided to drive with her. After seeing her so emotional, I had to talk to him and see if there was any reasoning with him.
Ray is her father and she loves him, and it took him a minute to realize that now they have an even deeper connection. Sure, she’s choosing to start a life here in South Carolina, but she’ll be embracing the club like she never did before. It was good for them to have a couple days traveling together in the truck, they needed time to reconnect.
Ray closes his door and moves around the front of the truck, just as the door opens to the clubhouse. I’m really hoping we’ll only have to spend a night or two here. Scarlett and I need a place of our own.
“Damn, is this the welcoming party? I’m disappointed, I was hoping for more of a feminine presence,” Ray laughs loudly as Pops and Ryder emerge.
“Good to see you, brother,” Ryder chuckles in return. “Thanks for getting our man home in one piece. He might even look better than when he left,” he adds, giving a nod towards me and Scarlett as he grips Ray’s hand.
“Scarlett, darlin’, it’s nice to see that sweet smile again,” Pops chimes in.
“I see how it is…” I drawl. “You all just wanted me back so you could get another look at my girl. Keep your hands to yourself, Pops,” I joke, at the same time, securing my grip on Scarlett’s hip.
“Don’t worry, boy, I’m not here to steal your girl,” he grins. “I just wanted to show Ray where he’ll be bunking tonight. We’re giving him your room,” he adds and I feel my eyebrows lift in question.
“What?” I ask confused.
“Ryder and I, actually all the boys, we got you a place to stay,” Pops offers, holding up a set of keys.
My eyes go wide, instantly recognizing the Harley-Davidson keychain he’s dangling in front of my face. It was my dad’s. But I haven’t been back to that house in years. I tried once, right after we lost him, but I just ended up breaking a bunch of shit and then storming out. I’ve felt guilty since, but still couldn’t bring myself to go back and clean it up.
“I can’t… I mean, it’s all fucked up. And no one has been there in years. It’s probably all rundown and full of mice or some shit,” I say.
“It’s not,” Pops replies matter of factly, and I feel my eyebrows pinch in question. “I cleaned it up a while ago and I’ve been keeping it maintained for the right time. Ryder sent a couple of the boys over last week and we replaced a few things, and Cora and the girls were over there yesterday stocking it with groceries and putting clean sheets on the bed. Plus, they left a gift card so that Scarlett can go and get some stuff to make it her own,” he announces and my chest instantly burns.
“But why would you guys do all that?” I question, my breath still stuck in my throat.
“You can’t have Scarlett living here. I know she’s used to Vegas, but this is supposed to be a fresh start. You two need to do it right. Plus, your dad would want you to have it. He’d be proud to see you living there,” Pops answers, and as he says the words, I know he’s right.
“Thanks, Pops,” I express, feeling the emotion welling in my chest, threatening to break free as I reach out and he drops the keys into my open palm.
My fingers curl around the metal as I turn back to Scarlett. Her beautiful blue eyes are glassy and a bright smile fills her face.
“You ready to go home, sweetheart?” I ask and she bites her lip, enticing me as always, before giving me a nod.
“Thanks again, boys,” I offer. “We’re gonna go check it out, but we’ll be back later to grab the rest of our shit,” I tell them as I swing my leg over my bike, climbing back into the saddle.
I watch as Scarlett gives Ray a quick hug before turning back in my direction and sliding in behind me. Her arms move around me, clutching my body, and I bring the bike to life. I rev the engine and a warmth comes over me as we start to ride. There's nothing better than being on my bike in South Carolina, with the wind in my face and Scarlett’s curvy body pressed against mine.
This is home, and it’s fuckin’ perfect.