Page 66

Zayne

I’m stretched out in the bed with Charli tucked against my side. She’s resting her head on my chest and tracing my tattoos with the tip of her finger. We’ve been fucking all night and neither one of us has slept. This is my favorite kind of exhaustion.

I know she’s finally seen her name when she sits up quickly. “What did you do?” She’s so shocked that it makes me laugh.

“I wanted your name on me forever.”

“Across your waistband? My dad is going to shit.”

“Your dad will be fine. You should trace that one with your tongue.” She smiles before she lowers her head to send chills through my entire body. “Jesus. I should’ve had you start there yesterday.” She lightly bites my stomach and crawls between my legs, making me exhale in anticipation of what she’s about to do to me.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand beside me and even though there’s not a doubt in my mind I’m about to make some core memories with the love of my life, I reach over to see who is calling. Theo’s name lights up and I know I have to answer it.

“Yeah.”

“We need you out at the cabin. I’m on my way to get you. We’re taking your Pops on his last ride.” She must hear what he says because she stops what she was doing and sits up in the bed.

“I’ll be ready.” I swing my legs to the side of the bed and lean over as the realization of what’s about to happen weighs me down.

She slides across the bed and presses her chest against my naked back, hugging my neck and whispering next to my ear. “I’m so sorry. Can I come with you?”

“Yeah.” I take a deep breath knowing my father well enough to know that this will be the way he dies. He’s too proud to let Cancer be the cause. I guess I can’t blame him. He’s dedicated his entire life to this club. It’s only fitting that he goes out still riding with the club.

Theo takes his time picking us up, which I appreciate. I’ll enjoy getting used to sharing a shower with Charli. It’s much more fulfilling than any shower I’ve ever had, even in the somber mood we’re both in.

As soon as Theo arrives, we both get in and I try to prepare myself for what’s about to happen. “He’s pretty bad today. I hope he can keep it upright.”

“He’ll do what he has to. We just have to be behind him for it.” I’ve decided there’s no reason to try to stop him, I get why he’s doing it. He’s a shell of a man without the club. “He handed it over to me yesterday for a reason. He had a plan and I’m sure it’s going just as scheduled.”

“It just fuckin’ sucks to be on this side of it.” Theo’s statement doesn’t need a response. He’s hit the nail on the head and I couldn’t have summed it up better myself.

All of the bikes are lined up when we pull up. My father is standing in the front, next to his bike. Theo parks the car next to our bikes and we both move to get in line. I step off of my bike to greet my father one last time.

“I want you right behind me. I’ll lead until I give you the sign, then you take over. I’m gonna fly off the top of Black Bluff.” I nod and give him the gift of understanding. We both know his mind can’t be changed and neither of us are good with the dramatics. “I trust you to handle business if I miss.”

“I promise.” He won’t miss. The bluff is covered with rocks below. The landing will be fatal.

“I love you, Son.” He slaps my back one last time and I almost slip up and allow a tear to fall.

I look back at the guys waiting on us to lead the ride. I can’t imagine what they’re all thinking but I know they understand the depth of what’s about to happen.

The roar of the engines echo through the trees, igniting the adrenaline in every biker here. We all follow once my father’s bike begins to roll out. I know my father wouldn’t have wanted his last minutes to be anything different than this right here.

The irony of this moment isn’t lost on me. Charli is hugging my waist and for the first time in my life, everything has come together. I get to ride with my father, my girl has her arms wrapped around me, my best friend is right beside me and the entire club has my back. Life is full of moments that are most of the time underappreciated. This one will be burnt into my memory forever.

I fight the dread as the road to the bluff becomes shorter but I respect him enough to continue. We’re about a half a mile away when he signals for me to slow everyone down. I hold the signal and swallow around the lump in my throat when he holds up two fingers in a final wave to us all. Charli squeezes my waist tight and tucks her head behind my shoulder right before my father disappears over the bluff.

We keep the same slowed speed until all of the guys have cleared the bluff and then I accelerate. Road therapy is the best way to grieve and to process life’s challenges. We soar down the road, the wind cooling our skin and the view reminding us how beautiful life is.

Charli finally loosens her hold on my waist a little and even though everything is loud, I hear her clearly. “I love you, Zayne Forest.”

“I love you more, Charli.”

The End

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