Page 51 of The Price of Love

I walk back to my bike. Storm lifts an eyebrow, but she doesn’t ask who called.

“Is it rideable?” I ask the prospect, hoping my desperation doesn’t come out in the question.

The prospect nods slowly. “It’s not cooling down like I’d like it to, but if you take it slow, you might make it through the run. No guarantees, though.”

“I need to go home,” I blurt out. “It’s about thirty miles from here. Will she make it?”

“Home? Why?” Storm says before the prospect can answer.

“That was my ex. She’s sending my kids to my apartment in a car.”

“In a car? With who?” Storm’s eyes widen. “Didn’t you say they were four and six?”

I nod, impressed that she remembered. “Probably one of her firm’s drivers. Probably.” My heartbeat quickens. “I can’t see her throwing them in a car with an Uber driver.” Or can I?

My panic grows. I need to be there when my babies arrive.

Storm puts her hand on my arm. “It’s okay. Relax. I’ll follow you and make sure you get home safe. You’ll be there when your girls get home.”

My eyes well with tears, but I blink them back. Kindness has been in short supply in my life. Something in my chest loosens, like it’s been clenched for years. Wiz won’t be happy, but she’s the one who said I needed to stick close to Storm, so she can’t hold it against me.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Absolutely. I just need to tell the crew what’s up,” Storm says.

“Yeah, I need to let Wiz know I’m leaving. Meet you back here in five?”

Storm nods. “Is there anything more you can do?” Storm asks the prospect.

“Without parts, adding oil is the best I got. You need to keep it at fifty or less,” the prospect says.

“Thank you so much.” I hold up the beer that I’ve only taken a few sips of. “Next time I see you, I owe you one of these.”

“It’s a deal,” she says with a grin.

“Move my bike up here beside Shadow’s,” Storm says to the prospects. “Some of the girls are gonna have to move their bikes because we’re packed in like sardines.”

“Yes, President,” the prospects say in unison. Then they disappear into the sea of women gathered in the lot.

“Wiz is right over there. I’ll be back soon,” I say.

Storm waves over her shoulder as she heads in the opposite direction.

I weave through the crowd, rehearsing what I’ll say to Wiz. When I draw closer, I realize she’s talking to a pair of presidents from other clubs. Protocol says that I should wait until they’re done with their conversation, but I don’t have time, so I say, “Excuse me, President, this is urgent.”

Irritation flits across Wiz’s face before she smiles at her colleagues and excuses herself. As soon as her back is to them and we’re away, she shoots me an angry glare. “What the hell is this about?”

“Sorry,” I say. “I know it’s a breach of protocol, but I have an emergency or I never would have bothered you.”

She grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop out of earshot from the others. “What did Storm pull?”

“No. Nothing like that. Margot called.”

“Oh, god. Are the girls okay?”

“The girls are fine, but Margot’s mom’s in the hospital, so she’s sending the girls to my apartment. I need to go meet them.”

Her eyes soften. “Of course, family comes first.”