Chapter 10 Kendra
KENDRA
There’s a blister forming on my left heel.
I should put my sneakers on, but in my haste to get the hell away from the Wild Riders clubhouse, I pulled on my knee-high boots.
The heel on them means they’re not made for walking long distances, but in the half hour I’ve been on the road, I’ve seen only two cars.
These remote mountain roads aren’t good for hitchhikers.
The goddamn birds are singing too loud and the sun blasts my face, making me squint. But I can’t waste time stopping to get my sunglasses out of my bag. I want to put as much distance between me and Travis as possible.
How could I be so stupid as to think there was anything real between us? It’s my stupid teenage fantasies where we get together and live happily ever after messing with my head. I thought I was playing them out, but he was just playing with me.
I don’t think Travis meant to play me. He's an older man and probably has affairs with women all the time. I’m just too inexperienced with men to realize that’s all it was.
Travis never promised me anything. It was all me that put that on us, wanting to believe in my teenage fantasy.
But that just makes it harder. If Travis was an asshole, at least I could feel angry.
But all I feel is a deep sadness, a heaviness in my chest. It’s a heaviness that makes it hard to put one blistered foot in front of the other.
It’ll take me another hour to get to town.
And then I’m changing shoes, getting on the bus, and never coming back.
An engine roars somewhere behind me, and I step to the side of the road and stick my thumb out, waiting for the car to come around the corner.
But it’s not a car. It’s a motorbike, and it screeches to a halt beside me, kicking up gravel and dust into my eyes.
“I thought I told you not to hitchhike.”
Travis slides off his bike and saunters toward me like a protective big brother. Still watching out for me like Quentin asked him to.
I drop my bag in the dirt and put my hands on my hips. Now I’m glad I’m wearing my knee high boots because they make me look like a tough bitch, even though inside I feel like a silly schoolgirl in love.
If he’s come to lecture me, I won’t show him any vulnerability.
But as he strides over to me, the concern in his eyes almost makes me crumble. Almost. I remember the words that he said to Quentin.
Nothing to report.
I’ll give him nothing to report. He’ll know nothing of my feelings. I stick my chin out, ready to go into battle, but instead he cups it in his hand and pulls my face toward his. I’m speechless as his thumb strokes my cheek. “Don’t leave, Kendra.”
His eyes search mine, and my resolve crumbles. The tears I’ve been fighting back bubble to the surface and I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting him to see how much I’m hurting.
“Don’t go, Kendra,” he says. “I want you to stay.”
With my eyes squeezed shut, I can’t see his face. I think about everything that’s gone on between us. His reluctance to go all the way, the sneaking around so no one sees, and then not telling my brother when he had the chance. Anger bubbles to the surface, and I pull away and out of his grasp.
“So you can keep sneaking around with me as your fuck buddy?”
He stumbles backwards as if I’ve slapped him.
“No, it’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it? Because it feels like you’re embarrassed to be with me.”
He’s got a horrified expression on his face, and he’s shaking his head.
“No. Kendra, you can’t think that.”
Another bike rolls around the corner, and Quentin comes into view. He slams on the brakes and pulls up behind us. He’s off the bike and striding over, not bothering to take his helmet off.
“Are you fucking hitchhiking?”
I roll my eyes at my over-protective big brother. “It’s the quickest way to get off this damn mountain.”
Travis flinches at the words and looks wounded.
“Is it because of this asshole?” Quentin stands between us and jerks his thumb at Travis.
I’ve never seen him angry at his best friend before.
“He tells me he loves you, but there’s got to be a reason you’re leaving.
If he’s done anything to hurt you, I swear to God I will ruin that pretty face of his. ”
Quentin paces in anger, and as he talks he points an angry finger at Travis. But my brain got stuck when he used the “L” word.
My gaze darts to Travis and he’s staring at me, his expression hurt and anxious.
“It’s true. Angel, I love you. I’m not sneaking around because I’m embarrassed. It’s because I respect your brother, and I wanted his blessing. But I see now that was a mistake. I love you, Kendra. I always have.”
He takes my hand, and my resolve melts away. Our eyes lock and I search his, looking for the truth.
Quentin growls.
“Is this what you want, Kendra? Is this really what you want? If he’s forced himself on you, if he’s hurt you in any way… I don’t care if he’s my best friend. He’ll be off this mountain and out of your life with a broken face.”
I look between both men. Both of them showing their love for me in different ways. My heart fills with joy at how lucky I am. To have these two men looking out for me, my overprotective brother and the man I love, with a code of honor that I don’t understand.
“Yes. That’s what I want.”
Travis reaches behind me and snaps a pine needle from a tree.
“This isn’t how I was planning it, but I want you both to know how serious I am.”
He drops to his knees in the gravel as he twists the pine needle into a circle. I gasp as I realize what he’s about to do.
Travis glances at Quentin who’s as wide-eyed as I am.
“Could you give us a moment here, man?”
Quentin steps back, and Travis turns back to me.
“Kendra, I’ve loved you since the day I turned up for Thanksgiving at your house.
I’ve carried your photo in my wallet for the last six years.
It’s your face I turned to during the dark times.
When I was in Iraq and it felt like hell, I would pull out that photo and think of you.
Sorry if my stupid honor kept me from doing this sooner.
I was gonna buy a ring today, but if this is what I have to do to get you to stay on the mountain, then this will have to do.
Will you make me the most fulfilled man alive and marry me? ”
The butterflies explode out of my chest and come rushing out in a joyful, “Yes!”
I throw my arms around Travis, and he spins me around and around until I’m dizzy. He sets me down on the ground, and there’s a broad grin on his face.
We’re both laughing, and I glimpse Quentin watching us with a frown.
“Do I have your blessing?” Travis asks.
Quentin runs his hand through his hair. “It’s a lot to get used to. I need some time. But if my sister has to marry someone, I guess I’m glad it's you.”
Knowing my brother, that’s about the biggest blessing we’re ever going to get.
Travis slaps him on the back. “Thanks, man.”
Suddenly, my feet lift off the ground as Travis scoops me into the air. I throw my arms around his neck as he kisses me hard.
Quentin scowls. “You’re not married yet.”
I throw him a look. “Can you take my bag? There’s no room on the bike for it.”
Quentin shakes his head and mumbles curses. But he picks up the bag and straps it to the back of his bike as I take my place behind Travis.
“Are we going back to work?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “We’re going to my cabin. You’ve been driving me crazy all week, Kendra. It’s time to claim what’s mine.
A shiver of anticipation goes through my body. The vibration of the bike rumbles under me, and heat gushes between my legs as we race back up the mountain. I am ready to be claimed.