I don’t ride my bike when I go out looking ’cause it’s too noisy and runs off the people I need to talk with. I always get a few yes replies when I ask if they’ve seen him, but not one person can tell me where he stays or anything useful. I pull onto the highway to make the almost three-hour drive to our hometown where he supposedly still lives. My playlist starts and the first song that comes on is the Tom Walker hit “Leave a Light On.” Yeah, that about sums up my life. I know if I had more going on, I’d probably listen to everyone, but fuck, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Tyson needs help, and I’m not going to fail him again.
CHAPTER 2
Kierstie
Thank the gods this morning I haven’t had any morning sickness. I’m beyond tired, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I’m drinking fucking decaf coffee at seven-thirty in the morning than anything else. I find my jeans in a box and one of my many shirts that haveWeston and Sons Repair and Restorationon it. Luckily, the shirts are baggy so they can be worn even when I start showing. I put my hair back in a quick braid and get my ass moving to my car. I know I’m working for my family, but I also know that office work ain’t a strong suit of Jon’s. I can only imagine the mess I’m going to be walking into. If his desk growing up is any indication, I’ll be busy for months.
I stop at Sooner or Later and get a decaf mocha, a muffin, and a fruit cup. I’m gonna take advantage of not feeling sick this morning and eat. I hope it stays gone all day, as I’m sure Jane is gonna be bringing over some treats at some point. I know that she and my brothers aren’t out publicly just yet since she’s still working for Pa, but they picked a great woman. She even reads smut like Mads and I do. She hasn’t read Mirrah McGee yet, so we’ve got her started on them. I had to warn her against Mars, just like I had to make sure I didn’t have to fight her for Kale. I’m not afraid to fucking fight for the men I’ve claimed as my book boyfriends.
She does make me almost gag though when she starts talkin’ about how hot my brothers are. Just ew. I love my brothers, all of them, but fuck if any of them are good looking. Just no. They’re still the guys who pulled my ponytail and gave wet willies whenever they could. They smell. No, they aren’t hot. Not like Mr. Sex-on-a-stick-whose-name-I-don’t-know. He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen in person since I’ve never gotten to meet Chris Hemsworth in the flesh. His eyes are soul piercing, and he’s the only man who I’ve ever wanted to obey and want to have him call me a good girl. Since that night, if I think about it, my BOB gets attention for longer than is probably healthy.Focus, Kierstie.
I make the short drive from the coffee place to the shop. I pull into the parking lot and I see my brothers’ bikes, along with a few others I recognize. There are some I don’t know, but I know they have some prospects and even a few members that I haven’t met or seen in years.
Coming home was the right thing. I know some may look at it as weak or pathetic, but those people can fuck right off. Shit. I’ve got to start watching my swearing, or this kid is going to come out with their first word being fuck and their second being shit.
I grab my stuff and head into the front of the shop where the offices are. I know I’ll be mainly working at the front desk and organizing things from there. I almost get to the door when I realize I have to go back to the car because I forgot my phone. I’m not a scattered-brained person, but I swear I lose my phone at least seventeen times a day. Let’s try this again.
As I reach for the door a second time, it opens and Jon steps out.
“Hey, Sis, so glad you decided to come home. I’m not meant for fucking paperwork. I know you’ll get this place cleaned up and running better in a heartbeat, especially our schedule of upcoming projects. Once word is out that Ror is home, that will take off even more.” He’s not telling me anything I don’t already know.
“Brother, I’ve worked in the shop before. I can handle it.” He acts like I’m still a teenager sometimes.
He holds his hands up in surrender. Someone is learning from being in a relationship with a strong woman.
“I know you can, Sis. Come on. We’re about to have our Monday morning meeting and you can meet some of the guys I think are new since the last time you stopped by. You can catch up with what the guys are working on right now.”
We both head inside. Juan and Ror greet me as I’m setting my stuff at the desk that is also the front counter. I put my purse under the desk and open one of the drawers to grab a pad of paper and pen because inevitably someone is going to mention something they need ordered or need in general. I know I won’t remember the name of any parts. As my life goes lately, I promptly drop the pen under the desk. I almost crawl under the desk to get it and hear more guys coming into the office. As I stand up and turn around to greet them, my world tips on its axis.
Holy motherfucking shit. Cuntcakes on a cracker. This could only happen to me.
It’s him.
He’s in the club. He’s friends with my brothers. He lives here.Fuck my life.He’s talking to Jameson and Juan about something, but I see the moment he looks over at me.
Shane
Fuck me.
She’s the new girl who’s going to be running the front office? She’s one of Pres’s sisters?
I’m a dead man.
When Jon, Ror, and Juan find out, they’re going to take their time killing me. I can tell she’s shocked at my being here. If I’m gonna die, she and I are going to need a few more rounds to make my death worthwhile.
Jon starts to speak and I watch her school her features. Seeing her in the daylight, I still think she’s one of the most stunning women I’ve seen—her little speckling of freckles, her expressive eyes, and the mass of curls in her hair. All I can think of is grabbing her hair from behind again and hearing those noises come from her when I hit the right spot. I realize I haven’t been paying attention ’cause Pres is looking at me, waiting for a reply. “Sorry, Pres, I haven’t had any coffee yet. What was the question?” He looks at me like he’s not sure he believes me but repeats his question.
“You got anything you know you need to order for the car you’re starting on today?”
I shake my head. “Not that I know of yet. I’ve got to get it in and on the lift to start to diagnose what’s wrong with it. Might just need a tune-up.”
“Well, if you do, or anyone does, from now on, see Kierstie about it. I’m gonna get my office organized and then get my hands dirty for a while. I know y'all like to not stop what you’re doing to order a part or tool, so I’m going to start a group chat. You can text Kierstie in addition to coming in here. That may also save us from witnessing Kierstie’s anger as often.”
If looks could kill, Jon would be dead. She’s definitely not intimidated by him.
“I can keep my temper in the workplace,Jon,” she shares as she continues to stare daggers at him. Jon finishes up with the updates on what’s planned for the week and tells us to all get to work. Not wanting to draw attention to the fact that Kierstie and I know each other, specifically in the biblical sense, I head into the shop and over to the bay I work in. I have the prospect, Mario, bring in the vehicle that we’re going to work on. It’s for a repeat customer who wants to get this car up to snuff for their kid to drive.
I hear my phone go off as I open my toolbox. Taking it out of my pocket to put in my toolbox, I see I have three text messages. One is the group chat Jon started for all of us. I save it in my phone and go to the next one. It’s from my uncle Grant reminding me that I told him I would stop by to help move his new couch with Saxon and Samson. I tell him I’ll be there. The last is from a number I don’t recognize.
