Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Goose raised a brow. “That’s how it starts.”
“I’m not committing to anything just yet.”
“Um-hmm. Whatever you say boss,” Goose poked.
I shook my head once again and let out a breath, hoping that would be the last of Goose and his pestering. “I’m meeting Creed over at the Vault later. He’s going to give me the lay of the land and try to find a place where I can help out while I’m here.”
“Finding you a spot won’t be a problem,” Memphis replied confidently. “That place never slows down.”
“Good. I like keeping busy.”
“Well, if that’s the case, you still good with bikes?” Grim asked with a grimace.
“I can hold my own. Why? You having an issue?”
“Electrical is being a pain in the ass. Headlight cuts out whenever it feels like it.”
“Faulty wiring?”
“Pretty sure.” Grim gave me a disgruntled look. “Or the damn thing’s possessed.”
“I’ll take a look at it.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“I knew I was gonna like him,” Goose added with a smirk.
“Don’t go getting attached,” I warned.
“You’re not the type to sit still long, are ya?”
“Nope.”
Memphis nodded like that confirmed something. “Good. You’ll fit in around here just fine.”
I didn’t answer right away.
I just took another drink of my coffee, letting the noise of the room settle around me, and for the first time in a good long while, I didn’t feel like I was just passing through. That didn’t mean I was ready to call this place home. Far from it.
But maybe… just maybe, Preacher was right.
Maybe this was a start.
12
RAELYN
Ihad no idea how long I’d been standing in front of my bedroom mirror, just staring at my reflection and tugging at the hem of my shirt. One second, I thought it was fine, and the next, I was worried it was too short. Too revealing. I reached over and grabbed the second option, holding it in front of me, and groaned. “Too casual.”
I grabbed another from the pile, holding it against my chest, and I was about to toss it to the side when there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Lucas appeared. “Hey.”
“Hey, sweetie. Whatcha doing?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged and walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge as he asked, “You really going on a date with the guy from the diner?”
My heart ached a bit at the question, not because of what he’d asked but how he’d asked it. There was a slight pitch to his tone, like he was hopeful. “We’re just having dinner. That’s all.”
He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. “So, you’re dating now?”
“It’s been two years, Lucas.” I tossed the shirt I was holding onto the dresser. “I just thought it was time to give it a try.”
“Yeah, I do, too.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.” The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache even more. “I want you to find someone who makes you happy. You deserve that.”
“Lucas…”
“I mean it,” he added quickly, with a hint of a smile. “And the guy from the diner seemed like a cool guy.”
“His name is Walker, and I think he’s a cool guy, too.”
“Where’s he taking you?”
“I have no idea.”
“You don’t know?”
“Sure don’t.” I shrugged. “He just said I’d like it, and we’re taking his motorcycle. So, I have to wear jeans and boots.”
“You’re riding his motorcycle?” His eyes widened, and a big grin swept across his face. “That’s badass!”
“Lucas,” I warned. “You know…”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, but that’s so cool.”
“Yeah, it is. I just hope I don’t fall off.”
“You won’t,” he replied reassuringly. “Just hold on tight.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lucas bumped his shoulder lightly against mine, then stood. “You’re gonna do fine, Mom. Just have fun.”
“I’m going to try.” He started for the door, but stopped when I called out, “Hey, Lucas?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He nodded before disappearing down the hall. I’d been concerned about how the boys would react when they found out I was dating again, especially with everything that had been going on. Needless to say, it was nice to know that Lucas was so good with me dating. In fact, it meant the world to me.
I turned my attention back to the mirror, and this time, the top didn’t look all that bad. In fact, it looked perfect. So, I grabbed my boots and slipped them on before finishing my hair and makeup.
I took one last look at myself, and while I felt good about the fit, I was still nervous. Still unsure. But more than anything, I was hopeful, and that was a feeling worth holding onto.
I’d barely made it out of the bedroom when I heard the low, unmistakable rumble of Walker’s motorcycle, and butterflies erupted in my stomach when I realized he was here. I froze for a second, hoping it would help my nerves settle. It didn’t. The second the engine died, my heart started to race, and my palms became sweaty.