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Once we step into the cathedral area of the clubhouse, where the bar, pool tables, and other forms of entertainment take place, we find only my brothers occupying the space, sitting at the bar, nursing cold beers.
“Everything good, brother?” Mystic tries hiding amusement behind the bottle in his hand.
“Would someone please tell him to put me down? And where is Sage? I’m ready to leave.” Sukie becomes a little more assertive in her demands.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” Laredo responds. “We’re staying out of this fight.” He waves between us.
I continue moving across the room, heading for the exit.
“Ugh! Where are Sage and Juniper?” Sukie looks over my shoulder as we pass the men.
“They left about ten minutes ago,” Salem reports.
Sukie gasps. “Those hussies,” she whispers, and I fight back laughter.
“Catch ya later, brother,” Salem calls out as I push through the door and step outside.
I cross the yard to where my bike is parked and carefully ease Sukie into the backseat.
“Wait,” she says as I grab a helmet to slip over her pretty little head.
I pause, taking in the fact that she is apprehensive. “Have you ever ridden a bike?”
“No.”
I lock eyes with her. “You trust me?”
Sukie licks her lips. “I think so.”
I slip the helmet onto her head and fasten the chin strap. “You’re safe with me.” I swing my leg over the bike. “Scoot in closer. You can hold my waist if you need to.” I instruct, and she slides forward until I feel her tiny body pressing against my back. “Try to relax.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You will. Just hold on and don’t let go.” I fire the bike up.
“Aren’t you going to ask me where I live?” Sukie shouts over the engine noise.
“Already know,” I state, giving Sukie a moment to adjust to the feel of the bike beneath her before I take off.
Once we hit the open road, and I increase speed, Sukie wraps her arms around my waist, fisting my shirt. It’s the first time I’ve had a woman on the back of my bike, and I can’t help but think it will not be the last. A strong sense of contentment engulfs me as her body becomes one with mine as the bike travels the curves of the highway. It’s a foreign feeling. I’ve never been this relaxed before. As we ride on, heading toward the outskirts of town, all I can think about is that I will do anything to protect her, even if that means protecting her from myself.
Before long, I’m turning off the road onto a long driveway shaded by a canopy of trees leading to Sukie’s old cottage home. An older version of Sukie steps out of the front door onto the porch and watches our approach as I roll to a stop near the steps. I cut the engine, get off the bike, then help Sukie to her feet. She grabs my arm, anchoring herself and keeping most of her weight on her uninjured foot as I remove her helmet.
“Sukie.” The woman I know as her mother gasps. “Is everything all right?”
I lift Sukie into my arms again; she doesn’t protest this time. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s just my foot.”
“I can see that,” her mom declares as I carry Sukie up the steps and onto the porch. Her mom opens the screen door, and I step inside the home. “I told you to look at it the other day, sweetheart.”
“I know, Mom,” Sukie says while I sit her on the sofa. “Harlem and Juneau took really good care of me. Sage and Juniper didn’t give me any other choice in the matter, really,” she finishes with a grumble, still sour that her friends left her in my capable hands.
“Those girls are always looking out for you, and for that, I’m thankful.” Her mom places a pillow under her daughter’s foot.
“Mom, stop fussing over me. I’m fine. Besides, I need to climb into the attic and get the crutches. Juneau said to stay off my foot for a couple of weeks.”
“You never mind all that. I’ll find the crutches.” Her mom then turns to me and looks at my name patch. “Harlem.” She smiles and lightly touches my forearm. “Thank you for bringing my daughter home.”
“You’re welcome.”
