Epilogue
Kaylee
Six Months Later
Most of the men in the Pit Viper Motorcycle Club had taken a plea to lesser charges, which meant they’d stay in for a shorter period than if they had gone to trial, but it saved Kaylee from having to testify, which she was grateful for.
Johnny was the only exception. After being charged with her assault, attempted abduction, and stalking, Kaylee enjoyed taking the stand and watching him stare coldly back at her.
Getting to stay in Holiday without having to go back to California after his guilty verdict was read healed parts of her, especially since her parents had accepted her choice and made an effort to visit every other month.
She found a college that offered eight-week courses, so she was able to complete her last four classes and graduate with her bachelor’s degree.
She was still debating whether to go back to school for her master’s, especially since she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do with her life anymore.
Before everything happened, she’d had a plan, but she was a different person now.
Kaylee thought she might prefer something out of the public eye, like writing.
She’d checked out a few creative writing classes, and the best part about them was that she could do them from anywhere.
The only thing in her life that she was sure about was that her boyfriend was going to be here any minute, and she couldn’t wait to see him.
Rick stayed at the inn for a few weeks after he’d returned from California, but even with the break on the nightly rate, it ate into his savings quickly.
Colin had offered to rent him his and share the garage, and although she knew he hated sharing, Josie had let slip that Rick took the room because he didn’t want to pressure Kaylee into moving in together too soon.
Why he didn’t ask her what she wanted was mind-boggling because Kaylee was tired of waiting and wanted to share her life with him.
With Josie’s help, she’d made a poster for him yesterday, and as she stood there waiting for him to open the door, she danced back and forth on the balls of her feet.
Her location app dinged, and she checked the screen.
Rick has arrived home.
Finally, the knob turned, and the door creaked open, revealing Rick in his pressed blue uniform, staring at the sign she was holding.
“Are you serious?” His dark eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. Even though he was friendly and seemed to smile at everyone, this particular smile always seemed reserved for her.
“Yes, I’m getting a little tired of having to be quiet every time I come see you at your place, and you spend most of your nights at mine anyway, so why not?”
Rick took the poster and read it aloud. “Why should we each live alone when we could have a happy home?” He pointed to her attempt at drawing Pumpkin and laughed. “You even included the rat.”
“Well, he has grown attached to you, too,” Kaylee said.
“He still chatters at me.”
“But it’s a loving chatter.”
“Speaking of which, where is the little furball?”
“Getting some exercise.”
Rick whistled, something he’d started doing whenever he came over because Pumpkin liked it and would respond with a high-pitched sound of his own.
On cue, Pumpkin came ambling down the hallway, making that excited chirp as he made a beeline for Rick.
Her boyfriend scooped up her guinea pig and cuddled him against his chest, whistling again, and was rewarded with happy guinea pig sounds.
“And you keep saying he doesn’t like you?”
Rick smiled, reaching for her with the hand still holding the poster and pulling her in for a kiss. “You really want me to move in, huh?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
“Would this weekend be too soon?”
“No, this weekend would be perfect.”
Rick set the poster down, then delivered Pumpkin back to his cage and gave him one of his special treats before picking Kaylee up in his arms. He carried her down the hallway, toward the bedroom, his eyebrows waggling suggestively.
“I think something this big is worth celebrating, don’t you?”
“Do I get to be in control?” she asked.
“Are you going to be a brat?” he fired back.
“Most likely,” she said, pouting playfully. “But I thought you liked me bratty.”
“I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
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