Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I hated that she’d been hurt. I hated it even more that I hadn’t been there when it happened. I could only imagine how hard it had been on her. Hell, it was still hard on her. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in voice. Something broke in her that night, and I feared it would remain broken until she found that girl. It was a thought that I couldn’t shake.
Hell, I didn’t sleep a wink, but I couldn’t let that slow me down. We had a full day ahead, and I planned on making the best of it. It was just after seven when I leaned over her and brushed a strand of hair off Devin’s face. “Morning, beautiful.”
“No,” she groaned, turning her head into the pillow like a grumpy toddler.
“Come on, babe.” I gave her a nudge. “We gotta get up.”
“Mm-mm. No, we don’t.” Her voice was muffled, half-asleep, stubborn as ever. “It’s too early.”
“You’re not gonna want to miss out on this.”
“Hmm?” She cracked one eye open. “Miss out on what?”
“The run.” I got out of bed and started pulling on my jeans as I told her, “We’re riding over to the state park, remember? You promised Tessa and Jenna that you’d come.”
“Why do y’all do everything so damn early?”
“We’re not leaving until eight. That’s late.”
“You need therapy.”
She groaned again as she pulled the blanket over her head. I chuckled as I told her, “Dress for the ride, but pack your suit.”
“I know. I know.” She knew I wasn’t going to let her go back to sleep, so she flopped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh. “Shorts or jeans?”
“Jeans. You know that.”
“But it’s so hot.”
“You’ve got beautiful legs. I’d hate to see them torn up with road rash.”
“Okay. Okay. Jeans it is.”
“Atta girl.”
I left her there and headed to the kitchen, flipping on the coffee pot before putting the last few dishes into the dishwasher. The thoughts of last night’s conversation were still weighing on me. It gutted me the way her voice cracked when she talked about that girl.
I hoped today would help. Riding was always the best therapy for me. There was no better way to clear the head. Wind in the hair. The road stretching out for miles. The promise of clear skies and good company. It was just what she needed, even if it was just for the day.
I was lost in that thought when I heard boots on the floor behind me. I turned, and my breath caught for a second. She was standing in the doorway wearing a black bikini top under a loose plaid button-down that was tied at her waist, jeans that hugged her just right, and those old cowboy boots she loved. Her hair was braided into pigtails, and damn if she didn’t look smoking hot.
“What the hell, woman?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “You trying to end me?”
“What?” She tried to look innocent, but that smile gave her away. “You said to dress for the ride.”
“Yeah, I did, but that kind of outfit is putting your life at risk cause there’s no way in hell I’m gonna be able to keep my focus on the road when you’re sitting behind me in that.”
She laughed, that soft, real laugh that made me feel like I’d just won the fucking lottery. We took a moment to have our coffee and some toast before heading out to the bike. I put her bikini bottoms and my trunks in the saddle bag with a towel and some sunblock, and then we were on our way.
We pulled into the clubhouse just as the guys were starting to gather at the gate. Bikes were lined up, engines were rumbling, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
Memphis and Tallie were up front, and as soon as we were parked, Devin hopped off and ran over to speak to Tallie. I held back and took my time pulling off my gloves as I watched Tallie give Devin a big hug. Devin smiled as she hugged her back. They started talking, and Devin was laughing about something that was said when Jenna walked up.
She slipped her arm around Devin’s shoulders like they’d known each other a lifetime, and the sight of it all made my chest tighten.
I found myself thinking back to when we were first together. Even back then, it was easy to love her. She was everything I wanted in a woman, and I’d let the world, her badge, my patch, and all the shit we thought mattered, tear us apart. I’d blamed her for walking out. I told myself she chose her badge over me, but standing there, watching her laugh with my family, I had to face the truth.
It wasn’t just her badge that got in the way.