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I growl when we come across the sign. Bridge Out. Of fucking course, there’s a bridge out. The quiet satisfaction I had earlier is quickly fading. We keep riding. What other choice do we have?
We’re cruising along, and I’m trying to reclaim some joy in just simple riding when my bike begins sputtering a bit. I glance down in just enough time to see the little tendril of smoke curl up from the exhaust at the same time the acrid stench of it hits me.
My bike loses speed, and I limp it to the side of the road. From the looks of things, I’ve blown a head gasket. Just my fucking luck.
Ghost and Bow pull up beside me and take a look, agreeing with my diagnosis. “Fucking A, Fist, and we’re in the middle of goddamn nowhere.” Bow shakes his head in disgust.
I rake my hands through my hair. “Yeah. And there’s nobody close who can . . .” I narrow my eyes as I recall just how close we are to Wolf Creek. “You know, I remember some men in the bar and the diner talking about how good a mechanic Pete is. Pete in Wolf Creek,” I elaborate. “Think we can manage to get the bike there?”
Ghost gauges the distance in his mind and nods. “Yeah. It’ll take some time since we gotta go slow. Don’t want to fuck up your bike. But we can stay there tonight and get Pete to look it over.”
I nod, and we set off again. I’m stressing over my bike, I don’t want it to be fucked, and I’m also worried about being in Wolf Creek again. I’ve avoided the town since Mindi fucked me over. And a part of me, the part of me that betrays the rest of me, is excited at the prospect of maybe seeing Mindi again. Is she still there?
Because, God help me, even though I hate to admit it, I fucking miss her.
2
Mindi
I lock the door and head down to the diner. Today will be a long,longday. Jason asked me to pull a double yesterday, and I need all the money I can get, so I said yes. I know it’ll tire me out, especially since I’m pregnant, but I have to do what I have to do.
It’s barely six in the morning, and I’m tired from not sleeping well, but I try to smile as I walk to the diner. It’s not far, and I only use my car when I have to. It saves gas, plus exercise is good for me. Besides, the weather has been beautiful lately. This morning is no exception. There’s still a slight chill in the air, but it’ll be gone in an hour or so. The sun’s starting to peek out for the day, and the wind is kicking the tiniest bit.
I walk inside the diner, clock in, and put my apron on. I quickly fall into a routine, and a couple of hours pass before I realize it. Soon, as I’m swinging around to greet incoming customers, I catch the familiar scent of motor oil. I freeze for a moment before turning, my heart beginning to thud. I swear it stops for a few seconds before slamming painfully against my ribs when I see it’s him. It’s really him. Those smoky blue eyes I can never forget are staring me down, a mix of emotion swirling in them.
“Fist,” I manage around the lump in my throat and swallow hard.
“How you been, Mindi?” he drawls. Like the last time, we saw each other, spoke to each other, wasn’t awkward as hell.
“Why are you here?” I ask, surprised to see him. I know my voice is strained, but I’m scared.
Not scared of Fist, not in the sense of being with him. But scared of how he makes me feel, scared of the things he makes me want. He was the shining light in my life just a few months ago, and he’s the father of the baby growing in my womb. But he lied to me. He lied about a part of his life.
I had no idea he sold drugs. Sure, I knew he was part of a biker club, that the club was the driving force in his life. And maybe the fact that he sells drugs doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that my abusive ex-boyfriend is one of his dealers.
All this information came to light the day I found out I was pregnant with Fist’s baby. Before I told him. Before I even had a chance to tell him, really. I had no sooner seen the two pink lines when Tyler, my ex, had busted into the motel room I called home. Then Fist came to my rescue, and that’s when everything about the drug dealing situation came out.
Not knowing what else to do, I kicked Fist out of my room and slammed the door in his face. Of course, this was after he had told Tyler never to come near me again or he’d kill him.
I have to be honest with myself and admit that I love Fist. But I’m terrified there are even more lies hidden below the surface. After all, that’s what Tyler did to me. He lied and lied, weaseled, and manipulated people—me included—until he got what he wanted or where he wanted to be. I can’t go through that again. I’m just not strong enough.
“What are you doing back in Wolf Creek?” I ask in what I hope is a normal voice as he takes a seat at the counter.
“There’s something wrong with my bike,” he explains. “We were close by here, and I remembered how many people talked about Pete being a good mechanic. So, the boys and I—Ghost and Bow are with me—rode in last night for him to take a look at it.”
I nod. “You won’t get nobody better to work in it. What can I get you to drink?”
He flashes that killer grin at me. “Dealer’s choice. And let me have a short stack and a side of bacon too.”
“Coming right up.” I put his order in and turn to pour him a cup of coffee. I know he likes it black, so I pass it to him and watch him take an approving sip.
“It’ll be just a few minutes on the food,” I tell him. He nods again, and I move on to take care of my other customers.
My emotions are going wild. I can’t decide if I’m scared or angry or elated or weepy. I’m so unsure of what to do, of what my next step should be. I never thought I’d see Fist again, and now he’s here.
I have to tell him about the baby. I can’t keep this from him. It wouldn’t be fair. The man deserves to know he has a baby on the way. But what will he do when he finds out? Will he try and take the baby from me? I couldn’t survive that.
With trembling hands, I serve customers and wait for a chance to tell Fist life-altering news.
