“Yeah, bro, I’m down to help anytime! Anyway, you said you wanted to bring me something on the phone?” Rip continues.
Chase tilts his head, moving toward the rear of my truck. “Ahh, yeah. I think you guys have been missing something?”
When he drops the tailgate, revealing the chaos of chewed grass and apples and one very content goat munching on what’s left of his carrots, I can’t help but smile despite my nerves.
At least Doughnut looks happy.
“Baaa.”
“Holy shit!” Rip shouts, rushing toward the truck. “Doughnut!”
The relief and joy on his face are so genuine that some of my anxiety melts away. These men might look intimidating, but their love for this silly goat is undeniable.
“Where the fuck did you find him?” Alpha asks.
I step forward, still feeling overwhelmed but eager to explain. “He just… showed up at my flower shop two days ago. Scared the hell out of me when I opened the rear of my truck and found a goat eating my inventory.”
“Two days ago? You didn’t see anyone with him?” Alpha presses.
I shake my head. “I was at my usual supplier for a pickup, and from what I can tell, he hopped into the back of my truck there to get a good feed. How he got to the supplier, I’m not sure…” I pause for a moment. “Sorry, I’m not much help.”
Rip shakes his head, looking between Chase and Doughnut with obvious affection. “Poor little grommet must have been out on his own for an entire day. He’s been missing for three! How the hell did you get involved, bro?” he asks Chase.
“I was buying flowers for my mother from Lyric’s shop, and I saw her with the goat. With all the pictures you send me of Doughnut, and that one time you brought him to our catch-uplunch, I was sure he was Doughnut. Then Lyric confirmed as much.”
Wait! He gets pictures of Doughnut?
And they’ve had lunch together?
These two have definitely stayed in closer contact than the casual ‘old surfing buddies’ story suggests.
Rip beams with excitement as he climbs into the truck bed to check on Doughnut. “Dude, we were totally worried about you. How the hell did you get so far away?” The goat bleats in response, and Rip laughs. “Yeah, I missed you, too, buddy.”
The pure joy on Rip’s face makes my heart warm. This isn’t just about a missing animal—this goat clearly means the world to him.
“So, you two drove all the way here just to return our goat?” the other protective biker asks, though his tone has softened considerably.
I nod enthusiastically. “We had to bring him back personally. It was the right thing to do.”
“Plus,” Chase adds, his expression growing serious in a way that makes my stomach flutter with unease, “I figured I owe Rip more than just a phone call. And when he mentioned you guys thought he was taken, well, I definitely wanted to get him back to you. I didn’t want him to think I was holding him against his will…” he pauses, his eyes narrowing as he looks directly at Alpha, and his voice takes on a tone I’ve never heard from him before—pointed, meaningful, “… like he was in prison or anything.”
The tension that suddenly crackles through the air is so thick I could cut it with a knife. Alpha and the protective man exchange a look that speaks volumes, and I can sense undercurrents of communication I’m not privy to.
But the whole thing strikes me as absurd, and I can’t help but burst out laughing, slapping Chase’s arm. “We spoiled thatgoat rotten, Chase. Why would he think he was in prison?” I say, completely baffled by the sudden serious turn in the conversation.
He’s just a goat, for crying out loud.
And we did spoil him.
We gave him carrots, apples, and even some of my Red Vines.
Doughnut lived like a king during his adventure with us.
The tension that suddenly fills the air goes right over my head, but Alpha seems to get whatever message he was trying to send. He then clears his throat and waves his hand toward the clubhouse doors. “Where are my manners. You both had a long drive. Why don’t you come inside, have a drink, something to eat, and rest for a while before you head back?”
I start to wave it off, we’ve done our good deed, and I’m ready to get back to familiar territory, but Chase cuts in. “I’d love to check out where Rip’s living…” He turns to me. “If you don’t mind, Lyric?”
I hesitate, looking around at the compound with its intimidating atmosphere. But Chase looks so hopeful, and these people have been surprisingly welcoming despite their rough exterior. “Sure… spending time at a biker’s clubhouse. What could go wrong?” I say quietly, though my voice probably betrays my nervousness.
