She grinned, offering me half of her cigarette. I was trying to quit but I took it anyway.
“Well, I gotta meet the woman who has tamed you, Abraham. Even as a teen, you were always a rough, grumpy giant.”
“I’m sure she’d love to meet you,” I said. “Anytime.”
“Think I’ll come now,” she said. “Let me just talk to Shotgun for a minute.”
“He good to you?” I asked.
She grinned at me, those laugh lines crinkling up her eyes.
“Real good to me. Young men know how to get shit done.”
I had to reflect this was true, because as an old man I felt utterly useless.
What was I doing with Legends MC? Was I just going to let the club die off because I was too stubborn and resistant to change? Or was I going to actually open up the club, even if it was slowly, and get some more new recruits?
It wasn’t long until the door opened and Shotgun came in, stroking his gray-streaked beard.
“Well, Bones,” Shotgun said, “I know our two clubs have been enemies for a long time.”
I nodded. “Yup, still got some stab scars from the last time our clubs tussled a few decades ago.”
Shotgun grinned. “But I’m not gonna hold you to the mistakes your daddy made. After all, I’m enjoying what your daddy wasn’t man enough to appreciate. I say we turn down the temperature and make an appointment. Talk about working together.”
He reached out his hand and I took it.
“How about a BBQ at Legends MC?” I said. “Next month maybe.”
“Yep. Good with us.”
“I’ll come with you,” Ma said. “Make sure to give orders that you’re to be treated well on this property.”
Going out of the clubhouse was a hell of a lot different with Ma beside me. Brothers who looked like they wanted to stab me were suddenly shaking my hand.
Ma hopped into her Chevy and followed along behind.
I couldn’t wait until I saw Polly again.
God, I loved that woman. Loved everything about her. And I didn’t care how many times I failed. I was stubborn as hell and as long as Polly was letting me try again, I was going to try until she forgave me.
There was no reason, but I felt anxiety gripping me by the ballsack as I pulled up to the rest area.
And then,the truck wasn’t there.
Where the hell had they gone?
I spun my bike around and started peeling up and down the road.
Not again.Not again. I couldn’t live through not knowing where she was.
Polly.I can’t live without you, Polly. It’s a purgatory without you.
Hell, there was the truck! It had just turned into the road in front of me. I felt the tension in my shoulders and arms almost melt away, but then.
Several bikes.Behindher. Beside her. Swarming around the truck.
And I throttled my engine and headed right for them.
