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As we part ways, I’m left with a sense of camaraderie I didn’t expect to find. I carry their shared experiences, their honesty, and most importantly, their resilience with me. I take comfort in knowing that they, too, understand the weight of the Reapers’ patch – they too, know the price of loving a man like Brick.
Just as I’m about to leave, Sadie catches my arm. “Wait, Ava,” she begins, her expression serious. “There’s something else I should tell you.”
Curiosity piqued, I sit back down, my heart pounding a nervous rhythm in my chest.
“Brick…” She hesitates, searching for words. “He’s trying to make some changes within the Reapers. He’s trying to make it... safer. More legit. For everyone.”
A flicker of hope stirs within me, but I try to suppress it. “Why now?”
Sadie’s eyes are filled with a profound understanding. “Because he loves you, Ava. He might not say it outright, but his actions scream it louder than any words could.”
My heart skips a beat. Love. That’s a strong word, an overwhelming word. But as I recall the tender moments I shared with Brick, the look in his eyes when I left, the word doesn’t feel foreign.
“But he thinks he’s not good for you,” Sadie continues. “He’s carrying the weight of guilt. If you want him back, you’re gonna have to be the one to reach out.”
I blink back the sudden moisture in my eyes. The thought of Brick believing he’s not good enough for me is a punch to my gut.
“I... I need some time to think,” I manage to say, my thoughts already a whirlwind.
As I step outside into the cool evening air, I carry Sadie’s words with me. Brick. Changes. Safety. Love. Each word echoes within me, mingling with my emotions, creating a tumultuous storm within my heart.
My journey back to my apartment is filled with a silence that screams louder than the chaos of my mind. The solitude of my apartment, once a comforting refuge, now seems cold and uninviting. I stand at the threshold, a decision weighing heavily on me.
Should I reach out to Brick? To step back into the world I left behind, with the roaring bikes, the leather jackets, and the man who, despite his tough exterior, wore his heart on his sleeve for me? Or should I continue my life as it is now—safe, predictable, but terribly, terribly lonely?
It’s a choice I have to make, and I’m torn between my longing for Brick and the fear of the uncertainty that comes with him. But there’s an undeniable truth staring back at me—a life without Brick feels incomplete, like a song that’s missing its most vital note.
I’ve got a lot of thinking to do. My mind teems with the possibilities, the fears, the hopes, and at the center of it all, is him.
CHAPTER19
Brick
Stray and Iare hunched over a table, buried in documents and scrawled notes. Our bikes stand sentinel, parked haphazardly around us. It’s a far cry from our usual activities. The mood is intense, focused. We’re not working on a new bike or troubleshooting a stubborn engine. We’re working on the Cascade Reapers, on our future.
“Think we can really pull this off?” Stray asks, breaking our silence. He’s looking at me, a mix of hope and uncertainty in his young eyes.
“I don’t see why not,” I reply, flipping through the pages. The plans lay out a vision for a Reapers unlike the one we’ve known, a vision built on legitimacy rather than lawlessness. It’s a daunting task, but I can’t let my doubts overshadow the urgency of our mission. “We’re not the first club to go legit, and we won’t be the last.”
The details of our project paint a picture of a safer, cleaner future for the Reapers. We’re brainstorming ways to establish legitimate revenue streams, to replace the illicit ones that’ve kept us afloat for too long. We’re also planning to sever ties with some of our more dangerous associations, a task easier said than done.
Stray nods, his brows furrowing in concentration as he returns his attention to the documents before us. “Yeah,” he murmurs, his tone one of conviction. “Yeah, we can do this.”
Hearing Stray echo my thoughts adds weight to them. We’re not just a couple of bikers trying to dream big, we’re Cascade Reapers. And we’re determined to usher in a new era for our club. A future that’s safer for our brothers, for their families. For Ava.
Her name echoes in my mind, a silent mantra that’s been driving me forward. Every blueprint, every plan, every decision—they’re all pieces of a world I want to create for her, a world she deserves. Even if she’s not in it with me, she’s still my motivation, my guiding light.
We’re on the cusp of change, and despite the daunting path ahead, I’m ready to fight for a better future for my club.
The sound of a car engine pulls me from my thoughts. I look up just in time to see Ava pulling into the yard, and my heart stops. I haven’t seen her in weeks, but the sight of her reignites all my lingering emotions. My surprise quickly morphs into concern as I wonder why she’s here. Does she need something? Is she in trouble?
Stray looks up from his notes and follows my gaze. “Ava?” he mutters, looking just as shocked as I am. But I don’t have time to discuss it with him. I’m on my feet and rushing out of the workshop before he can say another word.
The moment I reach her, I pull her against me, and the world around us fades into the background. “Ava,” I breathe out, my voice heavy with relief, worry, and a hint of joy. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
She turns to me, her beautiful eyes revealing a mix of emotions. “We need to talk, Brick,” she says, her voice steady.
I lead her to the quiet back porch, away from prying eyes. We sit, the distance between us a stark reminder of the gulf that’s grown over these last few weeks.
