Chapter Nine
Harley
“ W e’re taking the bikes?” I beam at Cade as he hands me my helmet. It’s pretty warm this morning already and should only get hotter as the day goes on, so riding sounds fucking amazing right now.
“Yes.” He chuckles. “Grayson and I are using extras since Ryker hasn’t been able to work on getting us one yet.”
“I’m just so glad we finally get to fucking ride together, even if it’s only to the stupid ass school,” I say. Today is the day we get to go pick up our diplomas, so Grayson, Ryker, Cade, and I are heading over to the school, Stone following behind us for extra protection.
Meeting the others outside, I can’t help the giddy feeling that courses through me as I see my men on their own bikes ready to go. I get to ride right there with them. It’s the best feeling in the world to go for drives, but getting to finally do it with my guys? Makes it all that much better.
“Ready, little flame?” Ryker asks me.
Nodding, I rev my bike and follow next to Cayden, Ryker and Grayson coming up behind us, Stone staying in the back. As we take off outside the compound, the sense of freedom I get from riding takes over, and I just allow myself to enjoy the moment while watching the guys.
After we pick up our diplomas, we plan to head straight back to the club, but Stone tells us to head to the diner for a late lunch instead, insisting Raven said we had to. When we pull up to the front of the diner, Stone gestures for us to follow him to park our bikes.
When we walk back to head in the front door, Raven throws it open and yells, “Hey high school fucking graduates!”
Chuckling, I give her a hug and watch as she forces all the guys to hug her before Stone hooks an arm around her waist and yanks her against him. “Sit at this first corner booth.” She points to the first round booth in the corner by the windows. Hazel’s Soul Diner is a simple yet comforting space. There are booths and tables lining either side of the walls leading to the front counter, where a gorgeous older woman stands, speaking to a customer.
After we place our orders, Stone wanders after Raven to basically stalk her while she works. Cade and Grayson discuss some business stuff I am barely paying attention to because Ryker hasn’t stopped touching me since we got off our bikes. Catching the look on his face, I make a split second decision. Pushing him to get out of the booth, I slip out after him and with a quick, “be right back,” I pull him with me to the back bathroom.
“What are you doing, Harley?” he whispers as he pulls my back against his chest and skims his hands over my sides.
“Finishing what you started,” I tell him as I rip my shirt over my head and spin around to face his stupid, cocky smirk.
Raven leaves the diner with us after lunch, and we all head back to the club. When we arrive, there are a few more cars than normal, but I don’t really think much of it. When we get inside, Raven bounces ahead of us, pulling Stone with her. “Come on, ducklings,” she sings.
I glance at the guys, who all look just as confused. With a shrug, Ryker takes the lead as we follow Raven and Stone out to the backyard. The second we are all through the door, everyone screams, “Congratulations!” Everyone from the club, Lex, and some of the club members' families are all here, grinning widely at us, a full BBQ party set up. Gabe comes towards us, but my eyes catch on a group of people off to the side, and I make a beeline for them.
“I–”
“Hi, honey.” Brielle smiles at me as she wraps me up in her arms.
Tears form in my eyes, and I let them fall as I take comfort in having her here. “You’re here,” I whisper.
“Group hug!” Lincoln yells, and then more arms are wrapped around us as we laugh when Ryan and Atlas grumble.
Pulling apart, I look up at Atlas and step into his open arms, breathing him in. “Hey, kiddo.”
“I thought you guys weren’t going to visit anytime soon?” I tell him, trying to fight back the emotions clogging up my throat. After everything we went through, any time I see them feels extra special.
“We would never miss this,” Brielle says from behind me.
More voices come around us, and I pull away to find the guys greeting Bri. Gabe, who had followed us over, smiles at me when he sees me watching. Walking up to him, I hug him tightly. “Thank you.”
“I’m proud of you, Harley,” he says. “Tomorrow, I have something I want to show you, just us, alright?” I nod, but his face gives nothing away. “Enjoy your party. Later, we have a surprise for the guys,” he murmurs softly before pulling away.
“Hey, Harley.” I glance next to us, where Lex is approaching slowly. Her pixie cut is still brightly colored, and she is wearing skinny jeans with holes and a crop top.
I beam at her and give her a big hug. “Hey! I can’t believe you are here.”
She chuckles. “I wouldn't have missed this. Plus, my dad is going out of town for a few days, and, um, Rage said I could stay here with you guys. That’s okay with you, right?”
“Yes! It’s more than okay. You can stay in my room in the club. Are you okay with that?”
She nods. “Yeah, I’m warming up to everyone here.”
“Is everything okay with your dad?” I ask her.
“Yeah. I think so. Maybe–maybe we can talk about it later? I don’t want to bring things down,” she says sadly.
“Of course. I’m here when you need me. But also, you are graduating too! So party away with us,” I tell her, grinning.
My guys surround me as we all head over to a table on the patio and grab a drink. Gabe decided to allow us to drink at family BBQs only, so we all grab a beer and wander out into the yard, where some games are set up, along with tables and the large fire pit.
As we head over to where a bunch of people are sitting at the tables, Aggie waves at us from where she sits with Jayce on her lap. “How’s it feel to be done?”
“Really fucking good.” Ryker grins.
Presley, who is sitting a few chairs down on Axe’s lap tuts, “Language!”
“Sorry, Pres,” Ryker says, holding a hand up.
Jayce, who had been looking at a book on Aggie’s lap, wiggles his way down and then randomly storms up to Cade. He tugs on his jeans and holds his hands up in the air, “Up.”
“Jay, say please,” Axe scolds.
“Up, pwease.” Cade stares down at him with wide eyes before he glances at the rest of us.
I try to cover my laugh and take a drink of my beer while Presley says, “Cade, pick him up. He doesn’t bite.”
“Has he not held him?” I ask Grayson quietly, who is standing close to me.
“Maybe twice, but when he was younger. For the most part, Jayce goes for Ryker because he will toss him up in the air and be wild.”
Cade hands Ryker his beer and then bends to scoop up Jayce, who immediately points towards the woods. “Dog!”
Cade raises a brow at Presley and Axe. “He isn’t allowed to go on the trails without someone, and he watched Bear take off a bit ago,” Axe explains.
“You didn’t even want me. You just wanted my fu–freaking dog,” Cade grumbles quietly as he walks off with Jayce, who is now squealing with excitement.
Smiling, I lean on Grayson as Ryker comes to stand in front of us. He stares at us intently before his eyes darken, and that stupid smirk works its way onto his face. Before I can comment, Grayson says, “Don’t even make a dirty comment right now, Ry.”
“Ruining all the fun,” he huffs.
After we play some games and drink more beer, the sun sets, and we all gather around the fire pit. Ryker pulls me down on his lap while Cade and Grayson sit on either side of us. Lex decided to head to bed early, so I showed her to my room in the club and let her be. I felt bad leaving her there, but she promised she was fine and we could talk tomorrow.
Gabe gets the fire started and then stands and raises his beer in the air. “Today, we celebrate my beautiful, smart daughter and the three bastards with her who have all graduated high school.”
Everyone laughs as Gabe continues, “Things have been messy and chaotic, but throughout all of that, none of you have given up. I’ve watched the four of you form an unbreakable bond and learn to help each other instead of trying to fight battles alone. I’m beyond proud of all of you.”
“One more thing,” Gabe says. The ranking officers all stand and head towards us. I notice Raven gesture for me to head over to where she and the other girls sit. Climbing off a reluctant Ryker, I wander over and sit between Carly and Brielle as we watch the guys stand in a line.
Parker walks over holding three folded up leather jackets. Gabe takes the first one and steps in front of Ryker. “I would like to formally invite you to be a prospect for the Sons of Silence MC. Accepting this cut means you are subjecting yourself to anything and everything the club asks of you for the next year, at which time you will be either voted in or out of the club. Do you accept?”
Ryker bounces on his toes and grins like a little kid on Christmas. “Fuck yes.” Gabe smiles and opens the SOS leather cut that reads prospect and Ryker on the front. After helping Ryker into it, he hugs him and then steps aside. Nerds steps up next and repeats the same words to Grayson, who happily accepts the jacket.
And then, lastly, Noah takes a cut and steps up to Cade. Before he begins the speech, he stares at Cade for a moment before saying, “Fucking proud of the person you are becoming, brother.” Then, he gives the same speech and helps Cade into his cut.
My eyes water as I watch my guys turn into men. They’ve wanted this for longer than I have known them, and I am so fucking thankful I get to be here now to see it happening.
Someone turns on music, and then more beers are passed around. I watch as the guys laugh and fuck around. “I love that look on your face,” Brielle whispers to me.
Glancing at her, I ask, “What look?”
“Peace.”
Smiling, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and reply, “I like it too. And don’t think I haven’t noticed how your guys have been with you.”
Shaking her head, she flushes before murmuring, “It’s complicated.”
“I love complicated. Say more,” Raven says as she and Presley sit in front of Bri, Carly, and me.
“Not appropriate,” Brielle says, clearing her throat.
“Because I’m here?” I raise a brow. “You know I’m eighteen, right?”
“I know. I’m still sorry I had to miss your birthday,” Bri says sadly.
I finally turned eighteen a month ago, and I didn’t plan on doing anything. I didn’t really want it to turn into some big thing, but the guys still insisted I spend the day with them. “Don’t worry about it. I spent the day with Cade, Ry, and Gray. They made it unforgettable.”
“Oh, look at that blush on her cheeks.” Raven chuckles. Carly kicks her foot out and shoves Raven, who barely catches herself before falling backwards in her chair.
“Why do you always feel the need to embarrass people?” Carly grumbles with a grin.
“It’s not embarrassing them if it brings you all out of your shells. Look at my sweet little Presley, I never would’ve gotten the juicy details from–” Her words become muffled when Presley smacks a hand over her mouth.
“I swear, sometimes, you need to be gagged,” Carly says then glances at Presley, “Not even the first time she’s tried to spill sex secrets.”
Raven mumbles something, and Presley removes her hand. “I’ve already found out I liked to be gagged, but not with a toy—”
“Oh my God.” Brielle starts laughing as Presley covers her mouth again, cheeks tinting pink. “You have no filter.”
I pinch my lips together to keep from laughing. It amazes me how much different Raven is from the other girls, and yet, she really does seem to bring out the best in everyone. It’s no wonder she managed to snag the broodiest, quietest guy around here.
“You have no idea. When we first met Presley, she tried to spill my biggest secret and somehow got me to tell Presley details I had only ever told Raven when I was very, very drunk.” Carly says.
“What? Everyone should hear that story. It’s a good one. Maybe you should share with Brielle and trade tips, since she has three of her own and you have experience with Sugar and Rage.” Raven wiggles her eyebrows.
My eyes widen, and I glance at a bright red Carly before looking back at Raven. “Please do not keep talking.”
Presley grabs Raven’s wrist and pulls her up. “Alright, time to get you back to your keeper.”
“Why? Think he’ll gag me for you?” I hear Raven say as she is dragged away by Presley. Brielle chuckles and kisses my forehead before saying she’ll be right back, and then I’m left with Carly, who clears her throat and looks almost ashamed.
“Are you okay?” I furrow my brows as I watch the blush on her cheeks deepen. She glances away before clearing her throat to answer me.
“Um, yeah—I just want to clear up what Raven said–”
I cut her off. “No need. Please, seriously, don’t give me details about anything that has happened with Gabe and Colton. Not something I want in my mind.”
She chuckles. “I won’t. I just wanted to say it’s not a regular thing or anything–or behind anyone’s back.”
I shrug. “I can’t judge you when I'm dating three guys. I am a little shocked, though, because I thought you had a thing for Gabe.”
“I–I do. This was years ago. Like four or five years, I think.”
We sit in silence for a moment as I ponder over how to ask and say what I want to say without coming off as pushy or overstepping. After a few minutes, I glance over at her again. “Can I ask you something?”
Carly nods.
“If there has been something between you and Gabe for so long, why have you guys not given it a shot? It’s clear as day you both like each other. Colton has mentioned a few things before, but why haven’t you just tried going for it?”
“It’s surprising the amount of power fear can have over you when you refuse to face it, even when it’s right in front of you.” Her eyes track Gabe as he laughs with some of the other guys on the other side of the fire. “When there's so much at stake, you succumb to that fear and let it hold you hostage until one day, you don’t even recognize yourself anymore.”
“You love him?” I ask softly.
She nods, not taking her eyes off him. So many emotions seem to stir in her eyes--sadness, joy, worry. But mostly, her tight drawn features show how conflicted she feels.
“Allowing myself to build a relationship with Gabe has been one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, and that is saying something after everything. But Carly…” She finally looks away from him to meet my gaze as I finish. “It’s worth it.”
She smiles sadly at me. “You are his daughter. There was never a doubt for any of us that he would accept you. It was clear he loved you and cherished you from the moment you got here.”
“Carly, that man loves you more than I think any of us even understand. Rejection should be the last thing you are worried about. If I have learned anything since being here, it’s that you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so take the chance. I feel like we all spend too much time thinking about how something may happen or end rather than just living and enjoying every experience as it comes, good or bad.”
“When did you get so wise?” She chuckles as a shadow falls over us, and Gabe takes a seat across from us.
“Are you guys alright?” He furrows his brows, glancing between us.
I grin widely and look over at Cade, who is trying to hide in the corner but seems to keep getting dragged back out by a drunk Ryker. “Oh, I have to go check on them. But you guys chat.”
I jump up and leave them alone, heading over to the guys. Stopping next to Grayson, I ask, “Is he drunk?”
“Yeah, he is. But he’s really fucking happy.”
Ryker spots us together and drops what he was doing to come straight to us, wrapping us both up in a hug. “Fuck, you two are so hot. I’m a lucky bastard.”
Laughing, I pat his back and say, “Maybe it’s time for bed?”
Ryker stumbles slightly but still manages to smirk and wiggle his brows. “Oh I like what you’re thinkin’, good lookin’.”
I burst out laughing as Cade walks over, and we manage to somehow get Ryker inside, mostly by the promise of sex, but as soon as we make it into Gabe’s house and get Ry on my bed, he passes out. It takes all of us to get him stripped and situated before we can squeeze in to go to sleep.
Cade pulls me on top of him and grumbles, “You need a bigger fucking bed.”