Chapter Eight
Brooks
I’m not sure how long we’re on the porch, but it’s long enough that the gray sky turns to black and the heavy rain lightens to a trickle.
“I should probably call Jake back. We need to tell your mom what’s up with the truck.”
“Ugh,” Kelsi stands from my lap and reaches for her nightgown, “do we have to? Maybe we could tell her it was stolen by a team of do-gooders who are planning to use the truck to deliver blankets and food to kids in need.”
“You really did pick a good profession. That was creative.” I grin and grab my jeans off the ground and tug them into place quickly. Her mom has to be up by now. If not, someone should check on her. It’s easily been hours. “We need to tell her the truth. Easy and quick. It’ll be okay. I’m right here next to you.”
“I know it’ll be okay. I just feel bad. She’s so attached to that truck. There’s no way your buddy can make it look like new again. I—”
“It’ll be okay,” I pull her into my orbit and squeeze her close, “I promise. She’ll be sad, but she’ll be glad you’re okay. Trust me.”
She holds her hand over her stomach and stares up at me, kissing my lips gently before pulling open the front door to step inside. Her mom is in the kitchen on the other side of the door. Who knows how long she’s been there? Contrary to earlier, her hair is frazzled and unkept as though she had a solid nap.
“Hey, Mom.” Kelsi sounds about as guilty as I feel, though it’s not about the truck. My guilt comes from the rough way I was just fucking her daughter on their front porch. Post sex clarity tells me I should’ve made different decisions. “How was your nap?”
“Oh, I laid down for a bit, then the sheriff called,” she exhales loudly, “to check on you, actually. He said you had an accident earlier today, and that you wrecked the truck.”
Kelsi steps forward with her arms outstretched. “Mom, I—”
“Why didn’t you tell me, sweetheart? He said the doctor was monitoring you for a concussion, and that’s why Brooks is here. Honey,” her mother reaches toward her, wrapping her in her arms, “why did you lie to me?”
“You’d just had a stroke and… I know how much the truck means to you. I… didn’t want you worrying about me or about anything, especially the truck.”
“Sweetheart,” her mom kisses the top of her head and holds her close, “I think your dad planned this.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I mean think about it. What are the chances that you get into a wreck at the same exact time your ex was driving up the mountain? Not only that, but the sheriff said when he saw the truck he thought you’d be in the hospital. It’s a miracle that you are only dealing with a bump on the head with no real symptoms, right?”
“Right.” Kelsi glances toward me as though she’s worried about her mother’s state of mind.
“I’m serious, honey. I think your dad planned this. He knew you and Brooks needed a dramatic reunion, and he gave you one.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and though I don’t want to take it, it’s the sheriff calling. “Speak of the devil,” I say, trying to shift the focus. “The sheriff, I mean. He’s calling. I’ve gotta take it.”
Kelsi and her mother nod, and as they make their way into the kitchen, I step out onto the porch, my cock throbbing the second I see the railing I’d bent Kelsi over earlier.
“Hey, sheriff. What’s up?”
“We need to look into this Chaos Brothers MC group closer. I’ve gotten some chatter that they’re not your typical group looking to build a bike repair shop. It’s why they are building it so far out on the ridge.”
“Okay…”
“I think it’s a cover for something bigger. I need you to get a few guys on it. The term ‘hired guns’ is going around town, and people are getting scared.”
“Interesting. Are we thinkin’ something like a paid militia or hitmen?”
“Not sure. We think one of the bikers used to be a local. I need you and the guys to find out everything you can.”
“Understood.”
He drags in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I hear you’re with Kelsi. That’s good news. Glad the accident wasn’t worse.”
“Agreed. Listen, I better get back inside. She was tryin’ to explain things to her mom, and I don’t want to leave her alone long.”
“Sure. One more thing. You, ugh, you talk to Mrs. Robinson? She’s waiting on the final approval for her playground project.”
I’ve been putting off the playground project for way too long. It’s not that I don’t want it approved. It’s that I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with all the red tape that goes along with making someone’s private residence a public playground. I know her heart is in the right place, and the people of Rugged Mountain seem to want it, but there are so many aspects that need to be taken into account. Liability issues, property damage, security risks, zoning, noise and traffic. It’s… it’s been a real fucking headache.
“We have a few more things to settle, but it should be done soon,” I huff. “I better run. I’ll get my guys on the Chaos Brothers, though. We’ll get some answers.” We disconnect the line, and I make my way back to Kelsi’s side. She’s in the kitchen leaning against the back counter, laughing about something with her mom.
“What did I miss?”
Kelsi glances toward me with a sheen on her eyes, as though she’s been crying. “When you were outside, Mom’s picture of her and dad next to the truck fell off the shelf. You think it’s a coincidence, or you think Dad really did plan all of this?”
I’m not one to get chills or believe in paranormal happenings. Hell, I barely believed in love until I met Kelsi, but I don’t want to crush whatever hope they’re holding on to. I bend down and pick up the frame. The glass is shattered, and the picture is crooked. I stare at the scene for a moment, trying to figure out how to respond to Kelsi’s question. But as I study the frame, I see a quote etched into the wood behind the photo.
“Have you seen this?” I walk toward the trash, discarding the glass quickly before pulling out the photo to reveal the words her father inscribed in the frame.
“No, what is it?” Her mother stands from the couch and gathers with Kelsi and I in the kitchen.
“Eyes on the road ahead, the rest will follow.” Her mom rubs her fingertip against the grooves, following the words as her voice shakes when she says, “He used to say this all the time, especially when I got overthinking things.” Tears fall as she looks toward Kelsi and I. “This was meant for you to see. He’s with us. He’s always with us.”
Kelsi grips her mother’s hand and wipes away a tear of her own. “I think it was meant for you too, Mom. He wants you to move on. He wants you to be happy again.”
Leaning forward, I hold them both as we stare down at the message her father carved into a frame years ago. I’m still not sure if I believe in ghosts, or a power from the beyond, but I’m not sure any of that matters. His quote still means something. His words still hold true. I will follow the road ahead, and I’ll love and protect his daughter until the day I die, because that is what I was put on this Earth to do. No doubt about it.