Page 108 of Not So Goode

“Figured it was time to leave the club behind.”

“Not for me.”

I shook my head. “Naw. For me.”

“You sold your bike?”

“Hell, no. I got it in the back of the truck.”

She gazed at me. “You can’t live without me?”

I shook my head. “Tried. Made it a month, and about went nuts. Myles fired me.”

She was shocked. “He what?”

“Had to get me to leave somehow. That was how.” I rubbed a hand through my hair. “Now I’m here, and I’m…I don’t know how this works. I just know…” I swallowed hard. “I know it’s nuts, but I—Charlie, I’m in love with you. I don’t know how to be—anything good enough for you. I can drive a truck and wear a shirt, but I’ll always be a biker, and my hands ain’t ever gonna be no cleaner.”

“My mom’s boyfriend knew your dad. He also knew the man you killed in that fight.” She held my eyes. “He was part of the club that was responsible for your parents’ death. He picked the fight on purpose, knowing who you were.”

“No shit.” I rocked back on my heels, stunned. “No shit?”

“And the fight at the barwasmy fault. Or at least it was because of me. There wasn’t anything you could have done differently except get killed.” She ran her hands through my hair. “I’ve been here over a month, waiting for you.”

“Waiting?” I swallowed hard. “What do you mean, waiting?”

She touched my cheek, and my whole body lit on fire. “I love you, Crow. It is crazy. We spent, what, a couple days together? But it was enough to know I want you in my life. I don’t want you to be…anything or anyone but you.”

She stripped my shirt off. “I like you in the cut. I like you on a bike. I like being on the bike with you.” She ran her hands over my chest. “I like what we did in that bathroom…alot. I’ve missed you. I don’t know that I can go on tour with you and Myles, but I’ll be here waiting whenever you come back.”

“Shit, woman, I don’t know where to start with any of that.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I can wear the cut if you like it—I ain’t comfortable in no stupid shirt. But I’m done with the life. I ain’t going back to the tour, either. I been recording songs for Myles at night and messaging them to him.” I swallowed. “Also been trying my hand with River Dog’s tools.”

She looked eager, excited, hopeful. “You…you have?”

I nodded. “I’m rusty, and my initial efforts with cheap wood have been pretty rough. But with some practice, I figure I can pick up where River Dog left off.” I scrubbed my jaw. “Figured maybe I could restart River Dog Custom Guitars, but as a stationary business, here in Ketchikan.” I hesitated. “That was my plan.”

She smiled. “I like that plan.”

“You do?”

“I do.” She smiled. “How do you feel about a little one-room condo facing the channel?”

“Better than the back of my Airstream, maybe.”

She scratched her nails down my chest. “Maybe.” Her voice dropped. “But maybe we go check out your trailer, just to be sure.”

My hands came to rest on her waist. “It can’t be this easy, can it?”

She shrugged. “For now, yes. Later, we’ll have to cross some bridges together.”

“Together, though.”

“Together.” She palmed my cheek. “Just…you have to know, Crow—I will never ask you to change. So don’t, okay?”

“I already have, darlin’.” I tugged her by the hand. “Come on. Let’s go find somewhere remote to park the trailer.”

We bumped into Ink and Cassie at the back of the shop, talking quietly.

As if he knew what we needed, Ink spoke up. “Take the highway north a few miles. There’s some side roads you can park on. Nice and secluded.”