Ashton sits forward and asks, “Why have us ride all this way to tell us this? We all have phones.”
I promised I was going to keep a close eye on all chapters, remind them of how serious I am, that just because they’re out of sight, they are not out of mind.
“I miss your pretty faces,” I lie. “Besides, I want updates on all club business. If there’s a problem meeting with me, just say.”
“There is no problem, it’s just not how Cas used to do it.”
I lean back in my chair and sigh. “I thought we’d passed this shit, as you can see, I’m not my dad. I’ve never claimed to do things the way he done them. You don’t have to like my methods, but you do have to see the end game and agree.”
“And what if we don’t? Will you change your plan?” Ashton asks.
Drumming my fingers on the tabletop, I narrow my eyes.
“Each of you have done or will have run ins with the Hogs. My plan means it all comes to an end, and we go on living our fuckin’ lives the way we want to.”
“I’m down. My chapter is on board,” Wyatt says.
I nod. Presidents murmur their hushed conversations with their VP’s and I light a cigarette to pass the time. I give them five minutes. To me it’s not that much of a debate to conclude.
In the end, we’re all in agreement, and all I want is to get home. We share a few beers while they catch me up on their chapters business dealings and then we’re all heading off in different directions, heading home.
“I say we ride as long as we can then stop for the night,” JJ suggests.
“Sure.”
The sooner I’m back with Holly, the better. The sooner my plan comes to fruition, the fucking better.
Late afternoon gives way to evening and we end up pulling over and setting up on the side of the road. It’s a warm night, there is no need to build a fire. Planning to ride at first light, we get our heads down not long after stopping.
But JJ has other ideas. “Are you still awake?”
Opening my eyes, I sit up and light a cigarette. It doesn’t look like I’ll be falling asleep any time soon.
“What’s on your mind, Jay?”
“You got through to Harper.”
I wait for more or a question but only silence follows.
“What about it?”
“I couldn’t.”
So that’s what has been playing on his mind. If I wasn’t as focused on my plan, I would’ve seen it bugging him.
“Brother, I helped her burn down your house,” I remind him.
“I should’ve been the one to know that’s what she needed.” He sits up and reaches for a beer he has stashed away in his saddle bag. “It’s pissing me off that I couldn’t help her.”
I frown. “You’re good to her, brother. She got from you exactly what she needed. Don’t doubt that.”
“Maybe,” he murmurs.
I finish my smoke and lay back down. There’s no point trying to get comfortable, I tuck my hands behind my head and stare up at the stars.
“You know people grieve in their own ways, all I did was give her an out not many people would need. You forget, Jay, she’s part Jackson. She’s not gonna be your average woman.”
“I can’t handle it when she’s not happy.” He sinks his beer and tosses the bottle. “I’d fuckin’ kill Lily if I could.”
