Page 12 of His Flawed Ride

“Because I’m here for Harper… your sister.”

Leo sits up straighter. “If Harps tells me she wants you here, I’ll talk to my brother.”

“Thank you.”

“But if she’s not interested in giving you yet another chance to fuck her life up, I’ll run you out of town before my brother even knows you’re here.”

I watch her closely. Fire burns in her eyes, she wants to come back at Leo but she presses her lips tightly together and wisely says nothing. Her eyes flick to mine and then she’s turning her back and walking out. Forgetting about Stevie, I shove her off of my lap and head outside.

Lily is sat in her car, staring off into the night around her. I jog over and knock on her window. She lowers it and I lean on the frame.

“You good?” I ask her.

“I’m far from good but it isn’t your problem.”

I must have a death wish because all I want to do is distract her from her misery.

“Do you want me to remind you how good you can feel?”

“You weren’t that good, and we agreed it’d never happen again.”

My laughter is full of arrogance. “We both know that’s a lie.”

I’m not good at much in life but fucking is what I excel at.

“I’m thinking we’ve already got one secret, what’s one more?”

I wait while she thinks it over and smirk when she says, “Sure, why not. Meet me at the motel, but don’t park out front of my room. Be discreet.”

She starts the car and drives out and I pat my pockets down looking for my keys. Thin arms wrap around me from behind, Stevie’s hands clasping together at my waist.

“Are you coming back in, baby?” she purrs.

I should go back into the bar with her. I should forget about Lily and fuck Stevie’s brains out up in my room. But I uncurl her from around me and I walk over to my bike.

“Nah, I’ve got shit to deal with in town. I’ll catch you later.”

She disappears back into the bar and just before I’m about to mount my ride, my phone rings.

I go to ignore it but see Grim’s name and answer.

“Brother, are you missing me already?” I laugh.

“Sure, if that’s what you need to hear.” His laughter fills the line. “You good?”

I dig out my smokes from my pocket as I say, “I am, considering you left me with the grief brigade. How’s life back on the mountain?”

“That’s why I’m calling. How’s Leo?”

“You’re calling to ask me about Leo?”

“Yeah, how’s he been?”

Confused, I ask, “How do you mean? He’s just Leo.”

“Is he anxious? Walking around on edge?”

“Brother, I don’t know what the mountain air is doing to you, but he’s just normal. I don’t know what to tell ya.”