Page 30 of What They Say

Chase laughed softly. “That obvious?”

Bear leaned against the truck beside him. “You’ve got that same stupid look Vic had when he first started falling for Bonnie. So yeah. Pretty obvious.”

Chase was quiet for a moment, then said, “I told her we could go slow. That I wasn’t in a hurry. And I meant it. But I really like her, Bear. She’s got her own shit going on. Family stuff. Walls higher than the sky to keep people away. I don’t want to push her. But I also don’t want to pretend I’m not already thinking about the next time I get to see her.”

Bear nodded slowly. “Sounds like you’re doing it right, then. Girl like that, one who’s been burned before, she needs to see you mean what you say. Actions, not just words.”

“Yeah.” Chase looked down at his hands. “I keep wondering what Mason would think. Not that I need his permission...but part of me still wants it. Wants him to see I’m not just running away from the club. That I’m really focusing on choosing my own thing for once.”

Bear clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Mason’s a hard man to read sometimes. But he loves you, Chase. He’s proud of what you’re doing with OY. He’ll come around on the rest. Just keep being the man you’re becoming. The rest will sort itself out. Trust me, he’d tell you straight up if he was pissed about it. Take his words, or lack of them, at face value.”

Chase felt some of the tension in his chest ease. “Thanks, Bear.”

“Anytime.” Bear pushed off the truck. “Now get out of here. Go touch grass or something.”

Chase grinned. “Yes, sir, in a bit.”

Bear turned and headed into the house while Chase stayed on the tailgate a little longer, staring up at the stars.

For years he’d felt like he was standing in the shadow of a giant—his father’s name, his father’s club, his father’s reputation. But lately, especially when he was with Kath, he felt like he was finally stepping into his own light.

He pulled out his phone and opened a new text to Kath.

*Made it home. Thanks again for yesterday and today. Best rides I’ve had in a long time. Looking forward to the next one whenever you’re free.*

He hit Send before he could overthink it.

A minute later his phone buzzed with her reply:

*Me too. Tomorrow sounds good to me.*

Chase smiled at the screen, a warm, steady feeling settling in his chest. *Now that’s a plan.*

*Night, Chase.*

Whatever came next, whether it was with the band, with his dad, or with Kath—he was ready to face it.

Not as Mason’s son.

Just as himself.

***

They ended up back at Bear’s house later the next evening, after the sun had gone down and the sky had turned that deep indigo blue. Chase had suggested grabbing food, but Kath had shaken her head and said she wasn’t ready to go home yet. They’d first ridden back out to their overlook on her bike, talking for more than an hour. They’d only left when she mentioned how the air was cooler now, the stars starting to prick through the dark.

She’d followed him from the coffee shop to Bear’s, and now they were sitting on the tailgate of his truck, legs dangling over the edge, the custom paint job gleaming faintly under the moonlight. Kath had pulled a small, worn notebook from her backpack—the one she’d always kept her lyrics in. Emy’s gift was waiting on the top of her desk in her room. It’s not time for that book yet. Kath shook her head. Dial in on the target, woman. She was nervous. He could tell by the way she kept turning pages without really looking at them.

Chase settled beside her, the metal of the tailgate still holding a little of the day’s warmth. The notebook rested between them like something fragile. Kath fidgeted with the edge of a page, then let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh.

“Okay, full disclosure before I chicken out,” she said, cheeks already pinking. “I have this...thing. When I’m really trying to write or get the words right, I take my pants off. It’s stupid, I know. Something about the air on my legs helps me think. No pressure or anything—I can keep them on. I just...wanted you to know in case I start acting weird.”

Chase blinked, and then a slow, surprised grin spread across his face. “Pants off, huh?”

“Don’t make it weird!” Kath groaned, covering her face with both hands, though he could see her smiling behind them. “It started when I was a kid hiding in my room during Mom’s bad nights. It just stuck. Makes me feel freer. Less trapped in my own head.”

He gently tugged one of her hands down so he could see her eyes. “Hey. No judgment. Whatever helps you create, I’m here for it. Pants on, pants off, whatever. I’m just glad you’re trusting me with this.”

Kath searched his face for a second, then relaxed. With a quick, almost defiant little huff, she stood up on the tailgate, balancing carefully as she shimmied out of her jeans. She folded them neatly and set them aside, then sat back down in just her tank top and underwear, bare legs swinging lightly over the edge.