Tanner stifled a smirk and lifted the backpack from her hands, following her to Sebastian, who snatched it from Tanner.
“Go wait by my bike. Your folks are out there,” He told her, but was staring at his younger brother.
Was everyone huffing bleach around here lately? They were all acting out of character.
Maybe she’d been gone too long, and everyone had matured in the wrong direction. Aging in reverse. Because no one’s actions were making a lick of sense tonight.
As she was marching outside, she heard something behind her. “You’ll keep your hands off her in the future, you hearing me?” That was Sebastian.
And before she was out of earshot, Tanner said. “Oh, yeah, who’s gonna make me?”
Her parents turned when they heard her approach. “Listen to everything Sebastian says, honey. Let him keep you from harm, please.”
“Everything?” she raised her eyebrows, grinning, and her mom chuckled, kissing her cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you, too. Do I get a hug, Dad?”
He scowled, pulling her into his arms, and she relaxed, smelling his familiar dad scent. The most remarkable man alive.
“The boy said you two haven’t been talking this year.”
She frowned, surprised that Seb would tell her dad that. And why?
“Keep not talking to him, Sunny girl.”
“Colton.” Her mom chastised him.
“Gia. I promised that’s all I would say. I didn’t tell herto use a gun, did I?”
Gia thought this was hilarious. Sunny was just confused, but Sebastian interrupted them.
“I have plenty of weapons.” He eyed her. He approached and kept going till he grasped her coat zipper, fastening it to her chin. “Ready?” he tied their bags onto his bike.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Phone every day.” Her dad said, his hands pushed down into the front pockets of his jeans. “Every hour, Sunny.”
“Hawk, baby, she’s going to be fine. Seb will make sure of it.”
Her dad only grunted. “This shit will be sorted soon, and I’ll come for you.”
“I’ll bring her home, VP.” Rasped Sebastian.
Sunny looked between the pair, unsure of what silent biker conversation they were having.
“Remember what I said,” Hawk aimed at Seb.
“If you remember what I said.”
These bikers were cryptic creatures with their own biker language.
Her mom forced Hawk back into the club, leaving the pair alone. She quickly climbed onto the back of his bike like she’d been doing her whole life.
“Do you remember how to hold on?”
Giving a tut, she nipped his waist. “Of course I do. Can we go fast?”
She heard him chuckle. “Sure thing, sunbeam.”
