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“Hell no.”
Z slaps Rooster. “What the fuck, bro? No wonder you came to New York and decided you never wanted to leave. That’s a fucking clown show out there.”
Rooster shrugs. “I don’t know what the fuck happened. Last time I was out there Pony wasn’t that bad. Acorn’s a hot-headed tool.” He shakes his head. “But damn, I never would’ve had ‘challenge Priest’ on my bingo card.”
I scan the parking lot, noticing most of the Washington charter left immediately after the vote. Even though they didn’t vote against Priest, I can’t blame them for not wanting to stick around.
The two brothers who’d distanced themselves as soon as shit went down walk over to Rooster. One of them taps his shoulder.
Rooster steps aside, welcoming the newcomers into our circle. He clasps one of the brother’s shoulders. “This is Vegas.”
The other brother raises his hand. “Ink.”
“Uh, I know I talked to you about this before,” Vegas says to Rooster, “but it might be imperative that I consider a new home charter asap.”
Rooster shifts his gaze to Z and nods.
“Yeah, brother,” Z says in a more welcoming tone than Rock would probably use. “Ride home with us if you want. Hang out for a bit and see how you feel.”
Vegas nods. “Thanks.”
Ink glances at Rooster, then Rock, then Z. “I might be ready to make the jump too.”
I feel their struggle. If they seem too eager to abandon their charter, NY will be suspicious. But after today, how can anyone blame them for wanting to move all the way across the country?
Rock rubs his hands together and casts a longing look at his bike. “All right.” He claps Z’s shoulder. “Some of us are sticking around to have a few conversations. Everyone else is free to stay, go home, or go wherever you want. No one rides alone, though.”
We all say goodbye to each other. It takes another hour before we actually hit the road.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here,” Sparky grumbles as soon as we’re free to go. “I warned you this was gonna be nothing but dark energy.”
I can’t even laugh. “Yeah, you did, brother.”
Jigsaw slips his helmet on and grins at Sparky. “Remember to air out your boys, brother!”
Sparky actually laughs.
Then I’m on my way home.
Some of our guys split from our pack and head to Virginia with Ice’s crew. Jigsaw, Sparky, Stash, Ravage, Murphy, and I keep on heading north.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Emily
Except for the first day of his trip, I haven’t heard a lot from Dex. Somehow, he embedded himself into my life and I feel a little lost without him.
Seven days after his departure, Libby and I are in the living room watching American Horror Story when my ears pick up the distinctly familiar rumble of a motorcycle.
I sit up so fast, I think my spine realigns itself.
“Is that Dex?” Libby asks.
The rumble increases, then seems to stop. Right in my driveway.
I run outside. And yes, it’s Dex. Road weary but still so damn sexy my breath catches.
“You’re home early!”
I race over the grass and throw myself at him.
He catches me.
“Damn right I am.” He slams his mouth over mine, taking a long, slow kiss. “I really fucking missed you,” he says against my lips.
I slide my arms around his neck. “I missed you too.” More than I should probably admit.
“Why didn’t you text me?” I ask.
“I didn’t want any delays. Needed to see you as soon as possible.” He kisses me again.
“Damn, should I get the fire extinguisher?” Libby teases, reminding us that we’re very much not alone.
Hearty laughter rumbles from Dex’s chest. He pulls away from me but still keeps an arm around my waist as the three of us walk into the house together.
“Hey, Libby.” He pulls a pack of M&Ms from his breast pocket and shakes them in the air. “I brought an offering.”
“A bribe? I like it.” She snatches the candy out of his hand and dances a few feet away from us. “Thank you. Oh, wow, you remembered I like the almond ones.”
“I did.”
Unlike the M&Ms, I am melting in Dex’s hands. “That was sweet,” I whisper.
“It’s just a bag of candy.” He pops a kiss on my forehead.
Maybe it is, but once again, remembering such a small detail about my sister’s preferences sets my heart fluttering.
Holy shit, I can’t believe how much I missed him while he was gone. I slide my gaze over him, trying to memorize every detail.
A slight wrinkle creases his forehead. “It was a long ride. I’m grimy as fuck.” He shifts his gaze toward Libby, who’s already ripped into her bag of candy, and lowers his voice. “You mind if I take a shower here? I didn’t want to waste time stopping at the apartment.”
I curl my arms around his waist and lean up on my toes. “Of course you can. Bring your stuff in and I’ll throw it in the wash.”
