I rub the back of my neck. "Are you flirting with me, Nora?" I tease, and her eyes twinkle with amusement.
"Is it working?" she teases back, and I chuckle. The seatbelt lights come on, and the pilot announces our descent.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed our time together," I confess.
"As have I. I've had the pleasure of meeting many people over the years." She leans in close to me and whispers, "Even a few rockstars such as yourself."
"You know who I am?" I raise my brow.
"I have grandchildren, dear. Five granddaughters, to be exact. I've seen your face on a poster or two." She smirks.
"Why didn't you call me out when I gave you a fake name?" I ask.
"You don't get to be this old by minding other people's business besides your own, dear. You have your reasons for keeping a low profile."
I find Nora refreshing. "I appreciate your discretion." I lean back in my seat and let out a heavy sigh. "It's not always easy flying under the radar. Coming out here to see family every chance I get and being with people who treat me like a person and not a commodity keeps me grounded."
Nora pats my hand. "As my husband Orson always said, 'Family roots us.'"
Before I can stop the thought from passing over my lips, I ask, "And what did he say about love?"
"When you find love, you have everything."
I let her husband's words sink in. "Orson was a smart man."
"Yes—" she pauses, and her eyes become misty. "He was." I feel her studying me for a moment before she says, "Be patient, child. The right one will come along. A life well-lived is filledwith many chapters. True love sometimes takes time to find us. And all the best love stories are written that way."
I spend the forty-minute drive from the airport to Polson in silence. No radio. No phone. Just my thoughts and the road. I think about the words Nora spoke about love—about life in general. I've thought about where my road will eventually lead me many times. Perhaps love and family aren't in the cards for me. I get this uneasy feeling that settles over me at the thought of living the rest of my life without experiencing that once-in-a-lifetime happiness. Unlike my sister who, a few years ago, met and married the love of her life, Quinn, who is the Sergeant At Arms for Kings of Retribution MC. It's crazy; I know. My sister, a doctor who came from suburbia, went and married a biker. Like they say, opposites attract. All that matters is she is the happiest I have ever seen her and Quinn treats her like a queen.
I shake the cobwebs of tomorrow from my head and turn onto the road leading to Quinn and Emerson's home. I slow when the house comes into view, and my mood instantly lifts.
Parking, I get out of the car and grab my only luggage from the backseat, along with a bag full of wrapped gifts for my niece. Before I step foot on the porch, the front door swings open, and Emerson smiles at me. "Easton!" She rushes toward me, throwing her arms around my waist. "I haven't heard from you in more than a week. I was worried you wouldn't be able to make it."
"Nothing was keeping me from my niece's birthday," I tell her and look around. "I noticed Mom and Dad haven't arrived yet."
"They should be here soon." She guides me inside. "Come on. You can ride with me out to the clubhouse. Quinn is there now with the rest of the club getting everything set up."
"Uncle E!" My niece Lydia comes running toward me at her full speed, wearing a white shirt with the wordsBirthday Girlwritten in black glitter and a pink skirt paired with combat boots. I grin at her attire. She looks so much like her mom.
I drop what's in my hands and scoop her into my arms. "Happy birthday, bug!" I tickle her ribs, causing her to giggle. Lydia squishes my face in her hands and kisses my cheek.
"I get cake." She beams, and I laugh.
"You're so much like your daddy. All you think about is food." Emerson tickles her daughter just before I sit her back on her feet. My sister looks at the time. "Shit, we need to get going."
"What about the parental units?" Emerson rolls her eyes because she hates when I use that term.
"Mom and Dad are meeting us at the clubhouse. If we get in gear, we should make it about the time they do."
I clap my hand. "Alright. Put me to work, boss."
A short time later, we're led through the gated entrance of the Kings' clubhouse. It looks like everyone has arrived, including our parents. Knowing they are here doesn't make me moody like it would have a year ago, mainly because their view on my choice of occupation and lifestyle has dramatically improved. I’m not saying our relationship isn't without flaws. We still have a long way to go before fixing years of hurt and disappointment on both sides, but at least we are working on it.
Traveling the world, playing music, living on the road isn't what my parents wanted. For the longest time, I strived to become what they desired me to be and follow in their footsteps. I was a straight-A student throughout all my years of schooling.I graduated top of my class. Even earned academic scholarships to top-tier universities. I did everything my parents expected of me—until I dropped out of medical school to pursue music full time. Who does that anyway? Who drops out of medical school? Me. I just couldn't fake it anymore. I couldn't chase a dream that wasn't mine. Unfortunately, in the process, my choices created tension between my parents and me. To them, I was throwing my life away. To me—I was just starting to live it. I park the truck and climb out.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Quinn is the first to greet me as Emerson and I walk into the backyard. I glance around, taking notice of the bounce house, waterslide, and a white horse not far off wearing a unicorn horn on its head.
"You've outdone yourself," I tell him.
