Chapter 12-Bit
He leaves me standing in the doorway of the shed, still trying to catch my breath and make sense of the storm that just rolled through my life.
Mine.
The word keeps echoing in my head.
He said it like a vow, like he’d carved it into the air between us.
And the scary part? It doesn’t sound like a threat. It sounds like safety.
I lean back against the wall, tug my shirt straight, and stare out the window at the ranch.
The sun’s higher now, shining on the fields, on the barn, on everything that somehow feels more real than anything I left behind.
Am I really thinking about staying?
Apparently, yes—because when I picture leaving, my chest aches like I’d be cutting something out of myself.
By mid-afternoon, the air hums with the familiar rumble of engines.
Destiny’s Enforcers MC is packing up, the convoy lined along the drive.
Rooster’s standing by his bike, helmet under his arm, pretending he isn’t watching Kristie pace like she’s debating running or staying.
I hover beside her, twisting my fingers together.
I want to ask her if she’s sure. But who am I to judge?
She glances at me, eyes bright and uncertain. We don’t need words. Our bond is just that strong.
Instead we hug hard, but we keep it brief.
I smile and nod, small and honest. She laughs once, shaky but real, and squeezes my hand.
Rooster’s waiting, trying to look cool about it, but his jaw eases when Kristie finally walks over.
They talk for a minute, heads bent close, and then she’s wearing a helmet and swinging a leg over the bike.
The roar of engines fills the air as the club lines up to ride.
I step back, lift a hand, and wave. Dust rises behind them, sunlight catching the chrome until they disappear down the road.
The ranch is quiet again. Just the wind through the fences and the distant low of cattle.
I breathe out, slow and steady.
For the first time in forever, I’m not running.
When I turn toward the house, Sawyer’s standing by the porch, arms crossed, watching me.
There’s a question in his eyes, but there’s also something steady—something that says I don’t have to figure it all out today.
I start walking toward him, boots crunching on gravel.
Yeah, I think to myself.
Maybe I do belong here.