Cade
Iturned my bike around, not wanting to ride past their door, and headed in the other direction. But I didn't go home. Instead I rode to Harbor Point, where my nomad brother Corban spent most of his time with Tilly. His old lady.
When I got there they were on the porch, chilling. But they took one look at me and knew something was off. Corban pulled a chair out without a word and Tilly went inside for drinks.
I told them what had happened. The story I had, from what I knew and what I didn't. I told it in bursts so I could keep my emotions in check. The breakdown at the clubhouse. The ride up. The moment at her mom's door.
Tilly was blubbering before I was halfway through. Corban kept himself busy, getting food, refilling glasses, finding things to do with his hands. I loved Tilly. She was perfect for Corban. But fuck, she was making this really difficult.
Thankfully Corban said, "Let's grab a bite and a breather."
I honestly thought he was struggling too. Big guys do cry. They just didn't let it be seen.
They showed me around the parts of Harbor Point I hadn't seen on previous visits, and I told them I'd never been to Rocky Neck.
They had. It was a short destination ride for Tilly, who was still getting accustomed to biker life.
Easy coast road, pretty town, good food.
The kind of thing you do on a Sunday when the weather's right.
We ended up at a quaint little café on the outskirts of town. Tilly and Corban liked to eat at places other than her own Sweet Spot Café when she wasn't working.
Around here people looked after their own, buying local and keeping the money in town.
I could get used to a life like that. If I ever got the chance.
My phone dinged and I looked at the text from Avery.
All good.
That was it.
Take care, was all I could think to reply.
I watched the screen. Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again. I held the phone, waiting for whatever she'd started to come through. But it never did.
So I sent one more: Ride is available whenever.
All good, thanks.
I knew to leave it at that.
I took up Corban and Tilly's offer to stay for the weekend. They'd built a bunk room in the garage for exactly this kind of thing… brothers passing through, needing a place to land. And I needed to stay close, in case she changed her mind.
When Monday morning came and there was nothing else from her, I had no option but to head back.
I took the interstate. I couldn't suffer a long ride.
When I got back, Wrench was the first person I saw. Avery's bike was ready.
When he asked where she was, I told him at her family's place.
When he asked when she'd be collecting her bike, I told him I didn't know.
When he opened his mouth to ask his next question, I stopped him.
I was a man with more questions than answers. I didn't need more.