Page 69 of What They Say

She stole another glance at Kath. Her little sister moved among them like a peer—friendly, grateful, steady. Kath laughed at something Eddie said, the sound light and real, and Bear’s deep chuckle rolled out in response. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t careful. It was...family.

That realization settled something deep in Maudie’s chest. These relationships weren’t casual. They ran deeper than blood—forged in fire, tested by danger, and held together by a loyalty so fierce it had mobilized an entire club at a moment’s notice. They protected their own with everything they had. And somehow, Kath had become one of them.

Maybe, just maybe, there was room for her here too, in her own way. With Stewart.

Maudie let out a shaky breath and straightened her shoulders. If Kath could stand here and smile like she belonged, then Maudie could at least try to hold it together. For her sister’s sake. For her own.

A warm, solid arm slid around her shoulders. Stewart. He’d appeared at her side without a sound, his presence grounding as he gently steered her forwards into the circle.

“Come on, darlin’,” he murmured, low enough for only her to hear. “They don’t bite. Much.”

Maudie’s heart stuttered as the same group turned their attention to her. Mason’s gaze was sharp but kind. Willa offered another warm smile. Bear’s deep voice rumbled a welcome, and Eddie pulled her into a quick, motherly side-hug that smelled faintly of vanilla and engine grease. Slate and Ruby included her just as easily, Ruby pressing a bottle of water into her hands with the same gentle insistence she’d shown Kath.

She was astonished by the warmth—the same genuine welcome, the same quiet concern. No judgment. No sideways looks. Just an easy acceptance. Her eyes stung, teary but refusing to spill over, as the weight of the night finally pressed against her all at once.

Stewart pulled her in closer, his arm tightening around her shoulders as he pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “Everything about us is real,” he whispered against her hair, voice rough with emotion. “This world. These people. Me and you. All of it.”

Maudie leaned into him, letting his strength hold her up for just a moment. The future suddenly felt a little less terrifying.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chase

Chase leaned against the doorway of Bear’s garage, watching the late-afternoon light slant across the concrete floor. The place smelled like home. Strap over his shoulder, the acoustic rested against his hip, and he was idly picking out a soft, familiar melody with his fingers—the one he and Kath had finished together weeks ago.

Life had settled into something he could never have imagined, and truly barely recognized.

OY was thriving. The All the Way Back tour his Aunt Bethy set up as part of Iron Indian Records had been a success, and they were already talking about the next album. Mason had steadily been treating him like a man instead of just a son. And Kath...

He turned his head as she walked out of the house, a glass of sweet tea in each hand. She was wearing one of his old hoodies and a pair of cutoff shorts, hair still messy from their nap earlier. When she saw him, her whole face lit up.

God, I love her.

She handed him a glass and leaned into his side. “What are you thinking about?”

“Everything,” he said honestly. “How far we’ve come. How lucky I am.”

Kath smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. “We both are.”

They stood there in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun dip lower. Chase thought about the scared sixteen-year-old kid who’d once begged his father for a patch just to feel like he belonged somewhere. That kid was gone. In his place was someone who knew exactly who he was: a musician, a son, a partner, a man building his own life.

He kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered. “Every damn day.”

***

Later that evening, the whole crew gathered at Marie’s for a low-key celebration. The band was there, along with several Rebels, Bear, and a few others who had become family. Sheri was running the merch table again, laughing at something Mitty said as he helped her restock.

Chase watched them for a moment, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Mitty had been different lately—lighter, more present. Every time Sheri was around, the man lit up like a Christmas tree. The two of them had been dancing around each other for months, stealing glances and finding excuses to work together. Chase had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before Mitty stopped pretending he wasn’t completely gone for her.

Kath caught him staring and bumped his shoulder. “You plotting something?”

“Just thinking Mitty’s about to have his hands full,” Chase said with a quiet laugh. “Sheri doesn’t strike me as the type to let him get away with half measures.”

Kath followed his gaze and smiled. “Good. He deserves someone who’ll keep him on his toes.”