Rafe—
Sunday, I hear through the grapevine that Tori made an excuse and blew off brunch with the girls. Melissa gave me hell over that on the phone, telling me she didn’t know what I did to fuck things up, but she was sure I’d done something.
Today is Monday, and Charlie sends me home early to screw me out of any overtime for the two weeks’ pay period.
I get on my bike and head to the clubhouse, pissed off again.
Slamming inside the door, I make a beeline for the bar.
Green and Shane sit at the far end, talking with Cole and Crash. When they’re done, Cole and Crash stand and go down the hall toward Cole’s office.
Green and Shane move to me.
Green leans a hand on the bar, a longneck in his other. “Any word on what happened with that asshole we took care of the other day?”
“He hasn’t been at school all week. Tori heard he had to break one of the windows in his Porsche because he locked his keys inside.”
“Huh. How about that?” Green says with a grin.
Shane cocks his head. “You still thinking about that chick?”
Green nods. “He’s got it bad.”
“She’s dating some rich guy. Things are icy between us. She had a flat tire, and I got sucked into giving her a ride to the hair salon on Saturday. We’re barely speaking. I was supposed to give her a ride to school today, but she said she’d find another way.”
“Sounds like she wants nothing to do with you,” Green says. “That’s tough, kid.”
“Doesn’t look like that sits too well with you, bro,” Shane observes, studying me.
“Guess she’s gotten under my skin,” I admit.
Billy, TJ, and Marcus stroll in and stand, looking at me.
“What’s going on?” Billy asks.
Shane ignores him. “You want to get this girl, Rafe, you have to make a big statement.”
“Like what? I don’t think she wants her father knowing about us, and I’m not sure I’m ready to lose my job over something that might not last.”
Green’s brows shoot up, and I know he’s come up with some crazy suggestion. “Let’s pick her up at this fucking academy, then. Give her a ride home on the back of your bike. That’ll make a statement, right, Shane?”
Shane shrugs. “The six of us pull up at that place? I’d say so. I’d love to see the looks on those kids' faces.”
Billy grins at me. “I’m in. Let’s go.”
“Me too,” TJ adds.
“Hell, me too,” Marcus joins in.
Billy points a finger at Green. “And we’re not stopping for donuts, so don’t ask.”
“I’ll ask if I fucking want to,” Green replies.
“So, when does she finish with classes?” Billy asks.
“Hell, I don’t know.”
“Fucking find out,” Shane orders.
I dig my phone out and think of some way to get the information.
ME: Your father wants to know what time your classes are over.
TORI: Why? And why isn’t he texting me?
ME: His phone is dead. He’s standing right here. What do you want me to tell him?
TORI: I’m heading to my last class now. It lets out in about forty-five minutes.
ME: What’s your last class?
TORI: Biology. Why?
ME: What are you wearing?
TORI: Okay, is my dad really asking all these questions or are you just fucking with me?
ME: I swear. He’s right here.
TORI: A denim jacket and a floral skirt. Again, why?
ME: That one was just for me.
I send a tongue hanging out, heart-eyed emoji with it.
She sends me an emoji rolling its eyes.
I grin and glance up. All my brothers are staring at me.
“So?” Billy asks.
“Forty-five minutes.”
“Let’s get going, then. I need to stop and get gas,” TJ says.
We head out to our bikes and mount up, then roll through the industrial park to the gas station at the exit.
I top off my tank and hang the nozzle on the pump. My mind is a whirl, wondering how Tori is going to react when she sees not only me, but five of my brothers with me.
The six of us pull out of the gas station and head across town in a tight pack. Billy remembers the route and leads us to the school.
We ride up the same road where we’d abducted Connor last week, and I can’t help wondering if he’s returned to classes this week. If he’s on campus, I’d love to see the look on his face when he lays eyes on the six of us. I bet he shits his pants.
We roll up and stop at what looks like the student center, idling at the curb. We’re attracting the attention of everyone around, especially some girls passing by.
I jerk my head and motion them over.
“Hi,” a bubbly brunette greets me. “Are you enrolling?”
I laugh at her joke. “Nah, sweetheart, but could you tell me where we can find the biology building?”
She points to a modern looking concrete and glass structure. “It’s that one right over there.”
“Is that the main entrance?” I ask, checking the place out. “I’m waiting for my girl. Is this a good spot?”
“Oh.” She seems a little disappointed but covers it well in her eagerness to assist me. “I’d pull to that circular drive over there, then.”
I nod. “I see it. Thanks, darlin’.”
That makes her flush. “You’re welcome.”
Billy and the guys overhear, and we pull around and park at the curb where she indicated, backing in one after another in a rapidly synchronized move I know impresses passersby.
I climb from my bike and pull my gloves off, stepping up on the sidewalk.
The rest of the crew sits astride their bikes.
A few people are walking past and coming in and out of the building, but in five minutes, the traffic picks up as classes end. Now the sidewalk leading out from the biology building is much more crowded. I scan for a girl in a denim jacket and flowered skirt, but don’t have any luck at first.
Finally, I spot her in the crowd, but she hasn’t seen us yet. Grinning, I type out a quick text.
ME: Your chariot awaits, princess
I see her stop and glance at her phone, then her eyes snap up, and she spots us.
She looks stunned.
I lift a hand palm side up and waggle two fingers, beckoning her over.
For a second, she hesitates, and I’m not sure if she’s going to bolt, but she musters the courage and approaches.
My eyes drag down her body. The skirt is short with flounces and swings around her hips as she walks. It makes my dick hard just watching.
She stops five feet from me and pops her hip out. I can’t help but give her a cocky grin.
“What are you doing?”
“Giving you a ride home.”
“I’ve got a ride. My friend Cynthia is taking me home.”
“Tell her you’ve got a ride.” I stare at her, daring her. “Or are you scared to climb on the back of my bike and ride off with us, little girl?”
She lifts her chin.
“You scared of Rafe, girl?” Green asks.
“No,” she snaps, her hand on her backpack tightening.
“Then prove it,” I say. “Climb on. Bet not one of these fuckers ever messes with you again.”
She looks back, and I notice Connor’s two friends standing at a distance, watching. One of them pulls out his phone and takes a picture.
I take two steps toward them, positioning my body between Tori and them. “Come here, assholes.”
They hightail it out of there, and I turn to Tori. This time I don’t wait for her decision. I make it for her, grabbing her backpack from her hand and tossing it to Billy. “Stow that, will ya?”
“Sure thing, brother.” He shoves it in his saddlebag, while I grab Tori’s hand and lead her to my bike. I dig a helmet out of my saddlebag and pass it to her, then throw my leg over my bike and lift it off the kickstand. “Hike that cute little skirt up and climb on, girl.”
A crowd of students stop to watch us, some recording on their phones. I imagine some are shocked this beauty is climbing on the back of my bike.
“Clubhouse?” Billy asks, and I nod, dropping my bike in gear.
We pull out in formation and ride off.
At the first light, Tori leans to my ear. “My father never was standing next to you; he never wanted any of that information, did he?”
I reach back and squeeze her leg. “Nope.”
The light changes, and we surge forward, bringing thunder to the streets of San Jose, heading home to our clubhouse.
At another light, Green gets a better idea, and points at Joey’s. It’s a place that’s been around for years. They do bike night every Thursday, and they’ve got a cool courtyard in back.
I twist to look at Tori. “You okay to stop there, or you want me to take you home?”
She leans into me to be heard over our rumbling bikes. “I don’t want to go home yet.”
Glancing at Green, I give him a thumbs up.
Pulling in, we back into spots near the door.
Billy pulls his phone out and shoots off a text, then glances at me. “Callin’ in the girl squad. Melissa will definitely want to be here.”
I nod, thread Tori’s fingers with mine, and lead her inside.
A waitress shows the seven of us to the courtyard. When we tell her more are coming, she helps us push two long tables together.
As soon as we sit down, Tori leans to me. “I can’t believe you did that.”
But she’s smiling when she says it, so I’m not too worried if I pissed her off.
“You see the look on those two assholes' faces?” I ask.
“Yes.” Her smile fades.
“They been hassling you?” I frown, concern flooding my body, and in my head, I’m already planning another beating.
“They never get close, but I see them around, almost like Connor has them watching me.”
“He been at school this week?”
“Nope.” She sips her glass of beer. Then leans to me. “You know I’m not old enough to be drinking, don’t you?”
I grin. “Don’t think they’re going to bother us about that, babe, considering the company you’re in.”
We’re barely through the first pitcher when Melissa, Gigi, and my sister, Fiona show up.
Melissa makes a beeline for Tori and hugs her. “You are not forgiven for blowing us off for brunch. I don’t care how mad you are at this guy, understand?”
“Sorry.” Tori makes a face.
“Tori, you know Melissa and Gigi. This dark-haired beauty is my sister, Fiona.”
Fiona smiles and bumps my arm. “Don’t believe a word he’s told you about me. None of it is true.”
“I haven’t told her anything about you, kid,” I say.
“Sure. I bet.” She lifts a brow. “Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie.”
“What are you talking about?” I frown.
“Um. Taco Tuesday? You blew me off.”