Chapter Two
Jake
By the time I reached Billie’s, what had started out as a drizzle had already turned into a downpour. Typical weather for the Louisville area, even in spring.
I parked my Royal Enfield Classic 350 next to the two other bikes in the shed and entered through the back door. The bar was empty as it usually was before three, with only the bald bartender and a bearded guy mopping the floor inside. They were both long-time members of my MC, their names carved into the wooden cloud that hung from the ceiling, the same cloud embroidered into the back of every Black Storm leather jacket as the backdrop for a pair of gloved hands gripping lightning bolts as if they were throttles.
“Hey, boss.” The bartender, George, looked up from the counter he was polishing. “Got my lemons?”
I grabbed one from the bunch in the paper bag I was holding and threw it at him. “Here.”
He caught it firmly. Just what I’d expect from someone who has a son in Little League.
I set the bag down on the counter. “And for the last time, you don’t have to call me ‘boss’. You don’t work for me. You work for Billie.”
“Damn right.”
A tall woman in a red flannel shirt came down the stairs, her gray hair tied back in her signature braid. She was in her seventies now, so she walked with a bit of a limp, but I could still remember when she was strong enough to throw a drunk out of the bar, sometimes a traveler, sometimes a regular. Sometimes, it was even her own husband, Sam, the former leader of Black Storm.
She frowned as she took a good look at me. “You’re wet. Here, dry yourself off.”
She grabbed a towel and threw it at me. As I dried my shoulders, I looked at Sam’s picture hanging on the wall behind the bar.
I sure hope you’re enjoying the bike race up there.
After all, he always did say that whenever there was a thunderstorm like the one happening now, it was because of people up there revving and racing their bikes. I could just imagine him going at full speed above the clouds, laughing while leaving everyone behind. Not that he ever did that when he was alive. He never left any member of the MC behind, which was what I had been striving to do as well ever since I was made its leader.
George patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jake. You’re doing a great job. I’m sure Big Sam’s proud of you.”
I sure hoped so.
“You know what would make Sam even more proud?” Billie propped her elbows on the counter. “If you got yourself a woman. Right, Randy?”
The guy who was mopping gave a thumbs-up sign.
I shook my head and moved on to wiping my sleeves. “I’m fine, Billie.”
She frowned. “You’re forty. You need someone to take care of you.”
“I’ve got a bunch of guys.”
Guys who wouldn’t cling to me or make up stuff about me and try to ruin my life like a woman would. Like the last woman I dated did. The biggest mistake of my life.
Billie gave another snort. “Good luck asking them to give you a kid.”
Randy chuckled.
I shrugged. “I’ve got enough to look after.”
Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and saw Max’s name on the screen. Speaking of someone to look after.
I answered the call. “Max? What’s up?”
“Um, Jake…” I could already hear the worry in his voice. “I’ve got a problem.”
“Where are you?”
“At the hospital.”
My stomach tensed. “St. Lucy’s?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m on my way.”
I found Max in the hospital lobby. Even without his black leather jacket, he was easy to spot because of his height, his shoulders towering over everyone else’s even though he was slouching. Besides, he had a certain presence. Even now, there were at least three women stealing glances in his direction, including one nearly as old as Billie.
To women, he was a magnet, which was both a gift and a curse. To the other members of Black Storm, he was an enigma who didn’t fit in, yet somehow belonged. To me, he was a reminder of the lost young man I once was, who I hoped would one day find his own way.
No, I knew he would.
As soon as he saw me, his eyes flickered with recognition and relief. He started walking toward me, a faint smile on his lips.
“Thanks for coming.”
On the outside, he looked fine, but I knew he was troubled. I pulled him aside and placed a hand on his shoulder. “So, tell me what happened.”
He drew a deep breath. “I hit someone.”
My eyebrows arched. “In a fight?”
It wouldn’t be the first time.
“On the road. It was raining. The road was slippery. It was a curve. This woman just jumped out and froze. I tried to stop in time, but I guess I still hit her.”
I gripped my chin. “How bad?”
“She lost consciousness. I called an ambulance. They took her for some tests.”
“Have you talked to the cops?”
Max shook his head. “I panicked, so I told 9-1-1 my girlfriend and I had an accident on the road. I hit a tree. She got thrown off. I’ll take care of everything.”
I wasn’t so sure I approved of the cover-up. I always told the guys that even though I’d cover for their asses, they had to take responsibility for their actions. But this was Max. I knew he would make things right.
I shrugged. “It seems you’ve got everything covered, then.”
“Yeah. But I’m still glad you’re here.”
I knew the feeling. Even grown men who could take care of themselves could use some company when they were in a pickle. It was why most of the members of Black Storm joined, apart from their mutual love of bikes.
I squeezed Max’s shoulder. “Anytime.”
“Mr. Smith?” A woman in a white coat and glasses approached us.
Max turned to her. “Yes?”
“I’m Dr. Mathers. You’re Lauren Andrews’ boyfriend?”
Max nodded. “Yes. How is she? Is she awake?”
“I would actually like to speak with her parents. Have you contacted them?”
Max shook his head. “They’re no longer around.”
“Oh.” Dr. Mathers’ eyebrows went up, then she paused. “What about siblings?”
Again, Max shook his head. “I’m afraid I’m all she has.”
“Hm.” Dr. Mathers frowned.
I could tell from the crease on her forehead that she was debating whether or not to share information with us, and from the way Max had his thumb tucked and twisting inside the pocket of his jeans, he wanted her to. What to do?
The young doctor seemed similarly at a loss, pursing her lips and lifting a hand to tuck a loose coil of hair behind her ear. The angel wings tattoo on her wrist caught my eye.
I grinned, knowing I had just found a way in.
“Dr. Mathers, I’m Jake Willis.” I offered the doctor my hand, which she shook reluctantly. “I believe you were the one who stitched up my arm a few years ago in the ER.”
I showed her the scar.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I…”
“Don’t remember because you have too many patients. I know. But if it helps, you were having a rough night. You looked like you’d been crying. I pried. You said something about a messy break-up and how you thought about getting a tattoo. I told you I’d be happy to give you one for free, and you showed up at my shop a few days later.”
“Oh.” She touched her nape. “That was you.”
“Yup. And like I said that day, the ink suits you. Do you still like it?”
“Yes.” She smiled a little. “I thought I’d regret it, but I never did. Some of my patients like it, too.”
“Sounds great.”
“Yeah.” She pursed her lips once more.
I cleared my throat. “Anyway, is it possible for my friend and I to see Lauren? We’re just worried about her.”
The corners of Dr. Mathers’ mouth twitched. “Well, I don’t really feel comfortable letting non-family members see patients or sharing medical information with them, but since she doesn’t seem to have any family…”
And my little recollection about her convinced her that we’re not bad guys.
“I guess you’ll have to do. She needs someone right now.”
“And I don’t want her to feel alone,” Max said.
Dr. Mathers let out a breath. “All right then. Please follow me.”
She started walking, and Max and I followed, though I grabbed his shoulder so we could hang back because I wanted to ask him something.
“Are you sure she has no family?”
“I checked her wallet while waiting for the ambulance. I saw a folded memorial card from the funeral for a couple, Melinda and Terry Andrews. Nothing about a sibling.”
Wow. Talk about thorough.
Max scratched the back of his head. “I’ve really screwed up this time, haven’t I? This woman has already lost so much.”
I looked at him, finding it odd that he sounded upset. He almost sounded like he cared. And about a complete stranger, no less. It made me curious to meet this Lauren.
I patted his back. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I hope so. I saw some cuts that happened even before I hit her. And she just suddenly showed up on the road out of nowhere.”
That did sound concerning.
“Well, we can ask her what happened, and we’ll help her however we can.”
“Everything okay?” Dr. Mathers asked, stopping to check on us.
I nodded. “All good, doc. We’re right behind you.”
She continued walking. After going up the stairs and down a hall, she finally stopped outside a room, giving Max and me the signal to enter. I went in first, nearly colliding with a woman just past the doorway.
She was just a little over five feet tall and in her early twenties. The waves of her hair, which was the color of my coffee, were so dark they were almost black. They cascaded down her back. I gripped her shoulders as I steadied her, afraid she’d fall, and she looked up at me with eyes the shade of emeralds, their vivid hue robbing me of breath for a moment. I’d only ever seen one other person with such green eyes before, and that was so long ago.
I slowly took my hands off her. “Hey. Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer, just took a step back, and I realized that she still had her pink hospital gown under her denim jacket and muddy sneakers on her feet. She had her phone in her hand as well.
My eyebrows furrowed. “Were you leaving?”
She still didn’t say a word, the fear in her eyes speaking volumes about how not okay she was.
What was she so afraid of?
“Lauren?” Dr. Mathers entered the room, brushing past me. “Lauren, what’s wrong?” Then she looked at Lauren’s shoes. “You can’t leave yet. You’re still under observation.”
Lauren shook her head. “I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“I just…I can’t. I have to go.”
She tried to walk past Dr. Mathers, but the doctor stayed firmly in Lauren’s path, patting down Lauren’s arms. “Lauren, I know you’ve just been through something terrible and traumatic, but you’re safe here. You’re in good hands. And look, your boyfriend is here.”
Max stepped forward, his perfect smile in place. “Hi, Lauren. It’s me, Max.”
“You…” Lauren’s eyes narrowed, then her eyebrows furrowed. “You’re my…boyfriend?”
Dr. Mathers gave a puzzled look at Max as well. “Isn’t he?”
Max put his hands up. “Lauren, I’m very sorry for what happened, but I want you to know I’m here for you. We can talk. I’ll give you anything you need.”
Lauren looked at Max, her features finally relaxing. “Anything?”
Max nodded. “Anything.”
Dr. Mathers stepped between them. “Lauren, is this man your boyfriend?”
Lauren reached for her necklace, taking the pendant out of her gown and fiddling with it. “I…I…”
Dr. Mathers took her hand. “Lauren?”
She looked at Max. “I…I don’t remember.”
The doctor’s eyes narrowed, then she took out her penlight and shone it into Lauren’s eyes. “Lauren, do you remember your last name?”
“Andrews,” she answered softly.
Dr. Mathers turned the penlight off. “And what year is it?”
“Twenty-twenty…four?”
She didn’t sound convinced.
Dr. Mathers grabbed her shoulders. “Do you remember Max?”
“I do. I think. I just…” Lauren touched the back of her head, then her eyes grew wide. “I hit my head? What happened?”
“I’d like to know what’s going on as well,” I said.
Dr. Mathers looked at Max and me. “I’ll have to run a few more tests and observe her more, but she may be experiencing some memory lapses due to her injury.”
“Memory lapses?” I felt confused. “You mean she has amnesia?”
“Amnesia?” Max echoed, concern in his voice.
Dr. Mathers shrugged. “Like I said, I’ll have to run more tests to be sure, but it does look like a case of partial or dissociative amnesia. It’s not unusual in cases of head injuries, and she should recover her memory completely quite soon.”
“How soon?” Lauren asked.
Dr. Mathers looked at her. “I can’t say for sure, but spending time with people who care about her should help.”
“I’ll take care of you,” Max promised, taking another step forward so he was standing in front of Lauren.
She looked at him with eyes glimmering with hope and her lips close to being in the shape of a smile. “I’m…staying with you?”
Max scratched his head. “Well, not exactly, since I don’t have a place of my own, but I promise I’ll find a place for you to stay. Somewhere nice with everything you need. So don’t worry about it. For now, just stay here and rest.”
He took off her jacket. As it fell off her arms, I noticed the mark near her elbow. Max had mentioned that she had cuts even before her accident, but this was neither a cut nor a bruise. It was a birthmark. One shaped like half a butterfly’s wing.
My breath left me as I remembered seeing one just like it before.
No, exactly like it.
On a girl with curious emerald eyes and wavy, dark brown hair.
I glanced at the pendant on her necklace. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, but now, I saw that it was a butterfly holding a cursive letter “L”, something I had also seen before on that same girl.
A girl who I now remembered also had the name Lauren and a mother named Melinda.
A girl who would be a woman in her early twenties by now.
I knew this was her, the Lauren whose sweet smile used to brighten my day. I never thought I’d see her again, yet here she was, right in front of me, all grown up.
She was an adorable child back then. She was a stunning woman now. Even with just a drab hospital gown on, I could see how much her body had matured, the peaks of her breasts poking through their thin cotton prison.
Heat welled up in my chest and rose in my throat. I swallowed and shoved my desire back into the depths of my gut and my head.
Yes, Lauren was a woman now, but she was still way younger than me. And she was all alone now. And she had amnesia.
I had to look after her.
No, I was determined to.
“She can live with us,” I told Max.
Max looked at me with wide eyes. “What?”
I looked at Lauren. She also looked shocked and confused. Her eyebrows arched, and her lips parted, but I had already made up my mind.
“Once Lauren gets out of this hospital, she is coming to live with us.”