62. Going Home
Going Home
Sheridan
How does a biker gang that’s located in a small town have so many friends? We set the tables they suggested and bought the food to feed as many people as they suggested, but not one of us actually expected all these people to show up.
But the field near the clubhouse is filled with people enjoying a clam bake.
Someone pulled out a guitar about an hour ago, and as far as parties go, this one is pretty perfect.
“Is this the shellfish-free section?” A young woman walks up with a grin on her face.
“It sure is. What can I get for you?”
“A little of everything. I was afraid I was going to be eating peanut butter and jelly in my RV tonight. I can’t believe Rogue found an old lady. There are a lot of disappointed women here this weekend.”
Old lady? That’s a little rude.
“Are you with any of the bikers here tonight?”
Me with a biker?? I mean, kissing Fly doesn’t mean I’m with him. “I’m a friend of the bride.”
“Ah. You should try to find yourself a biker while you’re here. They’re a lot of fun.”
“Oh, really?” She’s not wrong. Being around Fly makes me smile.
“Yeah. Being on the back of their bikes is the best feeling ever. But even better is that the guys in Chaos are loaded. They know how to take care of their women.”
What?
“I’m hoping to catch the attention of one of them this weekend.”
“Anyone in particular?” Or would any man with a bike and money do? I angrily scoop food onto her plate.
“Not really. Though I wouldn’t mind getting to know Fly or Bram better. Those are two pretty men.”
I don’t know if I’d call Fly pretty. “You have a nice time this weekend.” I hold out the plate to her and manage not to grit my teeth as I say, “Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.” She walks off with a swish of her short skirt.
Women like that give the rest of us a bad reputation. Fly would never fall for someone like that.
A cool breeze makes it through the barrier of heat lamps placed all around the space, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I thought you might need this.” Fly walks up with a very familiar leather jacket. Only this one is white, and the one sitting on my bed is black.
“You just randomly thought I would need a jacket tonight?”
Fly grins as he slides it up over my arms. “I knew it was supposed to be chilly, and you don’t like the cold much.”
“And this jacket just happened to be around? The one that declares me as yours.”
“Nope. I special-ordered it when I got the black one made. Also, can you think of any other colors you might like it in, just in case I might not randomly order it again?”
“Fly, don’t go wasting your money on me.”
He leans in, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him. “Nothing I do for you could ever be a waste. Have you gotten to eat yet?”
“No. I’m on duty for another hour, and then I might try to grab a bite of something.”
“Be back in an hour then.” Fly kisses the spot where my neck meets my shoulder, sending a very different shiver through me. “See you soon.”
That man…
***
Forty minutes later, I’m trying to find another job I can sneak off to before Fly shows up, which is the cowardly thing to do at this point.
“Well, someone got a nice new accessory.” Dylan walks up with one of her own on.
“It’s only temporary. Fly didn’t want me to get cold.”
Dylan laughs. “The weather had nothing to do with that jacket. He wanted every man here to know that you are taken. It works better than two rings—” She lifts up her hand with her wedding band and sparkly diamond engagement ring on it.
“—at keeping the bikers away from you. They’re literally polite to the point where you could be their mother or maiden aunt. It’s wild.”
“So does that mean you love or hate wearing it?”
“I love it because he loves it so much.”
Fly definitely loves me wearing it.
“This mean you two are official? Or is it just wishful thinking on his part?”
“I don’t know.”
“Sheri, just a word of warning. You need to figure out your mind quick, because these men don’t hesitate.
They don’t play around. If you blink, he’s going to have a ring on your finger and you moved into his place.
If you don’t want this to happen, speak up now.
But I hope it does, because I can use all the friends around here that I can get. ”
Rogue steps out of the main building, and his eyes zero in on Dylan.
“Gotta go.” She heads straight for him.
Do I want this?
Yes.
No.
Maybe.
Probably more than I’ve wanted anything in my life, which terrifies me.
Piper approaches the table.
“Would you mind covering for me? I just have fifteen minutes left.”
“Sure. No problem. But let me get a picture of you in that fabulous coat.”
The coat feels more like a trap than a gift…
Which is the silliest thought I’ve ever had in my life.
Fly isn’t trying to trap me. He’s trying to love me.
Which is even more terrifying.
What happens when he stops?
I can’t do this. I can’t play this. It’s already going to hurt walking away now…if he walks away in a month or six months, I’m going to lose my mind. Time to hide.
***
Hiding from Fly hasn’t been hard for the last two days. It’s been busy…more than busy. We’ve been running around keeping everything flowing for a weekend-long party on steroids.
The problem with parties is that they trickle to an end. It’s Sunday night, and there’s no food left to set up. No tables to arrange. No people to help. Nothing to do to avoid the man who is walking straight over to me with a self-satisfied grin on his face.
The urge to run to protect my heart from further pain flows through me, but I stand still, waiting for him. This might be the last time we talk. The last time I feel his arms around me. The last time I kiss him. There’s no way I’m missing a second of it.
As soon as he gets within arm’s length, I pull him in close and plant my lips on his. Every bit of longing and hope, every dream I ever had for the future, every ounce of love in me, I pour into this kiss, never wanting it to end, but knowing this is the beginning of the end for us.
A long time later, he pulls back, keeping me firmly in his arms. “I’ve missed doing that all weekend. They’ve been keeping you far too busy.”
I’ve been hiding from you too well. “My brain could use a rest. Would you hold me in your arms while we listen to music for the rest of the evening?”
“Your wish is my command. I’ve got the perfect spot for us.”
Fly prepared for this with a blanket and pillows set up against a tree, near enough to the music that we can hear it, but far enough away that we aren’t in the middle of the action.
It’s the perfect spot to just be together for the very last time…
***
Walking into Dahlia’s house after a busy weekend like we have had, I should be a good guest and leave them in peace to sleep.
“Maverick, may I please speak to you for a moment?”
Dahlia raises an eyebrow, but says, “I’ll go get ready for bed.”
We wait for the sound of her footsteps to disappear.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Everything. “I was just wondering if you could arrange for my flight home early tomorrow morning? Like very early…five or six o’clock.”
“That isn’t a problem. I’ll have the jet ready at five and a car here to pick you up at four. But before that, I need to know, did someone hurt you?”
Tears fill my eyes, and I collapse against him, sobbing.
“It’s okay. Whatever happened, we can deal with it.
Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Just give me his name, and I’ll kill him for you.
Please don’t cry.” He thumps a hand awkwardly on my back.
“Why don’t you let me get Dahlia? You two can have a good cry together.
Then you can tell me or her the name and your problem will disappear forever. ”
“I love him. It hurts so bad because I love him.”
“What’s wrong? I hear crying.” Dahlia shouts down the stairs.
“Come deal with this. She’s crying, and I don’t know what to do.”
“On it.” Dahlia rushes to me. “What’s wrong?”
“I love Fly.” And I’m never going to see him again. Why didn’t I just try? The pain wouldn’t be that bad…Yes, it would be. It would be even worse.