CHAPTER 41
STORM
After Shadow split off and rode on to the Steel Graces’ clubhouse, Dimples and I found a gas station to fuel up. We didn’t need much gas. We just needed something to do.
Now we’re sitting sideways on our bike seats in the Wilton Mall parking lot, waiting for Shadow. The big mall lights come on as the sun sets.
Dimples is doing her best to make small talk, but I’m only hearing half of what she’s been saying.
“How long has she been gone?” I ask.
“Five minutes longer than the last time you asked,” Dimples says.
“What do you think is happening? What do you think she’s gonna do?”
Dimples gives me a concerned smile. “I don’t know, Storm. She’s got a tough decision.”
I look down at my scuffed boots and kick at a piece of mud on my foot peg. “Even if she never talks to me again, I’ll never renounce her.” I put my hand over my face. “Fuck. I wanted to walk in Aces’ footsteps—just not like this.”
“I know.” Dimples’ voice is soft. “You’ll know soon.”
“Will I?” Since Shadow rode off on her own, I’ve wondered. If she’s threatened with expulsion, would she risk talking to me again or disappear?
“She’s better than that,” Dimples says. “She won’t just leave us sitting out here.”
I pull my phone from my pocket. “But she might text.” Nothing. I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse. “Did you hear that?”
Dimples smiles. “You’ve been jumping at every bike we’ve heard since we got here.”
“But listen. I think it might be a Shovelhead.”
“Which you’ve already said four times. I doubt there are that many around Saratoga.”
I watch as a bike approaches the stoplight. The rider is small. It could be a woman. “I think that’s her.”
Dimples stands and cranes her neck. “You might be right.”
My heart races. It must be a good sign that she’s coming. Or she’s going to let me down in person. It’d be perfect retribution for Wiz.
It’s Shadow, still wearing her aviator glasses, even though the light is fading.
She pulls up next to me. I want to jump off my bike and rush to her, but I hold back.
“Follow me home,” she says. “I don’t wanna talk here.”
The fuck. I want to know now, but she likely wants to get her bearings.
Dimples hops on her Indian and fires it up, so there’s nothing to do but follow suit.
When we pull into Shadow’s apartment complex, I’ve convinced myself that she’s going to send me packing, but I still hold on to a tiny thread of hope. It’s all I have left.
I expect Shadow to invite us upstairs, but she doesn’t. She takes off her helmet and lays it on her seat. Then she takes off her jacket.
“Notice anything different?” she asks.
“They took your patch,” Dimples says.
Shadow shakes her head. “No, I turned it in.”
I want to grab her and confess my love, but I remain calm. “What happened?”
She launches into her story, and Dimples and I listen with rapt attention. At times, I want to laugh, and other times, I want to throttle Wiz.
Shadow ends by saying, “And Wiz yelled to the entire club that I was dead to the Steel Graces.” There are tears in her eyes, but she shrugs. “So it’s over.”
Without thinking, I scoop her up and spin her around. “God, I love you.”
Shadow laughs. Whatever reaction I expected, that’s not it. I tentatively set her down and take a step back.
“Uh, sorry. It’s too soon,” I say with a stricken expression on my face.
“Oh, Storm, I love you, too,” Shadow says while she hugs me.
“Uh, then why’d you laugh?”
She grins at me and then winks at Dimples. “I might’ve left a little piece of my story out.”
I look at her puzzled.
“I told the officers the story about Aces, living her entire life without love after she let the one that mattered slip away.”
“Wow,” Dimples says. “I’m sure that went over well.”
“Ah, not so much. I’m pretty sure I could’ve fried an egg on Wiz’s face.” Shadow takes my hand. “When Wiz asked if I was willing to jeopardize my patch, I told her it was the price of love.”
I clap my hand over my chest. “You’re killing me. In the best possible way. You really told Wiz you loved me?”
“I did.” Shadow smiles, and it lights my world. “When I put my vest on the table in front of Wiz, I told her, I won’t renounce Storm. I won’t stand trial for love. I’m done.”
I grab Shadow. “That’s the fucking most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me. You’re perfect.”
My lips meet hers. I don’t care that we’re in the middle of the parking lot, I need to show her how much her words mean to me.
When Shadow breaks the kiss, we’re both out of breath.
“Uh, I should go,” Dimples says. “Give you two privacy.”
“No!” Shadow lets go of me and grabs Dimples’ hand. “Sorry. I got caught up in the moment.” She turns to me. “I want to go back to the Thorns’ clubhouse with you tonight. If that’s okay.”
“That’s more than okay with me.” Tonight, I plan on showing her how much I love her, but I don’t need to say it in front of Dimples. By the twinkle in her eyes, I think she already knows.
“Walking out of the clubhouse, my knees were shaking so bad, I was afraid I was gonna fall.” Shadow runs her hands along her thighs. “I’m still unsteady. Would you mind if I ride with you?”
“There’s nothing I’d like better than having you on the seat behind me.” I put my arm around her waist and pull her against me.
Shadow puts her head against my shoulder. “You know we’ve just complicated things.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do,” Dimples says.
I look at her in horror. The fuck. There ain’t nothing easy.
Dimples walks over and puts her arm over Shadow’s shoulders, so we’re standing with Shadow sandwiched between us. “I care because you’ve put a spark in my best friend’s eyes. A spark I’ve never seen before. So I’m all for complications.”
I laugh and pull them both in for a hug.
When we part, Dimples is laughing. “Jesus, you’ve changed her. I’ve never known Storm for giving group hugs.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I say.
“Ah, better.” Dimples winks at me.
“Let me go upstairs and pack a bag,” Shadow says. Before she turns away, she says, “I love you, Storm.” She smiles. “I just needed to say it again.”
I speed up Interstate 87 with Shadow pressed against my back and Dimples riding beside. Life doesn’t get any better. Being on my bike is my religion, but sharing it with two women I love more than life itself is nirvana.
I’m not na?ve. Shadow was right. Our lives just got more complicated. Now I’m battling two enemies—Frost and Wiz—and if they’ve joined forces, the test will be greater. Neither will rest until they bring me down.
Shadow puts her hand on my leg and squeezes as if she senses my thoughts. Ominous clouds loom in the distance—but tomorrow can wait. For today, I’m gonna enjoy the moment.
Shadow puts her chin on my shoulder, so her mouth is near my ear. “Just so you know, tonight, I won’t settle for snuggling.” She pushes her pelvis into my back.
I twist the throttle. It’s time to go home.