“Are you going to tell me what the plan is?” I asked.
He didn’t respond right away, it appeared he had not the words.
“Buck, if it’s bad news, you should tell me,” I said.
“Gracie wouldn’t let up,” he said, “so I told him I was gettin’ hitched.”
I looked at him with a puzzled and confused look. I never imagined him getting married, and even so I didn’t even know he was dating someone.
“Who are you getting’ married to,” I asked.
“You.”
I started chuckling at his obvious joke, but my humor changed when I noticed he wasn’t joining in on the laugh.
“You’re kidding, right?” I said.
“Nope,” he replied.
I was trying to piece it together in my head, but it still wasn’t making sense. I began to feel faint.
“Buck, stop the bike,” I said.
“We’re almost back-”
“Stop the bike!” I said, interrupting him.
He slowed the cycle down and pulled off in a gravel embankment. As soon as we were slow enough I jumped off the bike, doubling over while trying to catch my breath.
“You told him that we were gettin’ married,” I said calmly, trying to figure everything out.
“I told Gracie that she should stop pursuing me because I was marrying you. Connor seemed to buy it well enough. Besides, it’s not like we weren’t going to get hitched one way or another.”
I realized now that Buck thought we had the chance of not only getting back together, but he assumed we’d be married. It’s not that I wasn’t interested in him at all. I still missed all the days we spent together, and knowing the warmth of his big powerful arms. But, he hadn’t changed at all, and I didn’t want to marry him unless I was his one and only.
“Buck, I’m not marrying you,” I said.
He cocked his eye and gave me a confused look.
“You’re the one that told me to use my words to solve this problem; now you won’t go through with what I decided?”
He crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. He didn’t look like he was in the mood to argue.
“Why didn’t you just apologize, or marry Gracie instead? I’m sure if you were with Gracie then you’d make an alliance with the clubs. If you want to get married so bad, why didn’t you say that?”
He laughed.
“You think I’d marry that little brat? I don’t want some alliance with his motorcycle club. There’s only one person on god’s green earth I’d marry, and you’re it. We just have to get married, Tara.”
I had a feeling that he was about as interested in getting married as I was.
“If I’m hearing you right, it sounds like you just need to be married so Connor won’t be breathing down your back, right? So we don’t have to stay together or sleep together, nothin’ like that?”
He nodded.
I bit my lip thinking about the options. Buck wouldn’t be the worst person to be married to. It only seemed fitting to be married to the man that took over my dad’s motorcycle club. And, it seems that I don’t have to stick around, either if I don’t want.
“So, if we get hitched, then we just have to keep up appearances? Then we can go our separate ways when things cool off?”
“Yep,” he replied.
I let out a drawn out sigh. He had me cornered, and I really didn’t mind.
“Okay, fine. Let’s get married,” I said.
He could tell I was reluctant, but I doubt he really cared. He embraced me in his arms, and some of my worries disappeared.
“Once this thing is all over, I’m gone,” I said while climbing back on the bike.
“Fine by me,” he said, “one less person I have to take care of.”
4.
“How long have you been engaged for,” momma asked me.
“Today makes it a week,” I replied.
“It’s nice to see you two finally getting’ together. You two were always just right,” she said.
I tried my best to hide my disdain.
“Momma, you know we’re just doing it to keep the heat off the club. Once it blows over, I’ll be taking off. Besides, we’ve both decided it would be best to keep it impersonal.”
She raised her eyebrow and shot me a look of disbelief.
“I know you two, hell he’s practically been my son since your father died. I know he’d be the perfect man to take care of you. Why don’t you just get married for real?”
I didn’t really know what to tell her. I wanted to tell her about all the women that Buck slept with while we were dating, or about all the times he had to beat someone up to prove himself the leader of the club. I’m sure she knew how brutal politics could be in a motorcycle gang.
“Ma, I know I still have feelings for the guy, but it just isn’t right. I’ve changed over the past few years, and so has he. We’re just not meant to be.”
She laughed, I didn’t.
“People always change; whether they’re in a relationship or not. Your father used to take me out for rides before he started the club. But, after we had you and settled down, he opened that bar. Then he stopped taking me out on rides. He was a different man, much more responsible in his later years.”
My mother didn’t talk about my father like that very often. It was a treat to hear her talk of the old days.
“Well, Buck and I aren’t like you and Dad-”
“Oh posh,” she interrupted, “love is something that grips your heart and doesn’t let go. You’ve loved Buck since the first time you met. And, he loved you right back just the same.”
My thoughts started to wander as we talked. I knew that deep down I wouldn’t ever stop loving the guy. He was always there for me and knew just what I needed. My heart ached to actually feel as I did when we first met; those days when we’d just ride and sleep together, and beat up anyone that got in our way.
I wanted to think that it was possible to fall out of love, but life was proving that impossible. I wondered if that was what Buck thought.
I snapped out of my daze when I heard a knock at the front door.
“Are you expecting anyone, ma?” I asked.
“I haven’t been out of bed in more than a week, how could I invite anyone over.”
I peeked out the window and saw a couple of motorcycles parked in the front lawn, ones that I didn’t recognize.
“I’ll be back in a second, Ma,” I said.
I crept up on the front door, trying to see if I heard any weapons being loaded or waiting. I’ve been shot at a couple of times, and the last place I wanted that to happen was my momma’s house.
I opened the door just a crack till I could see who was there. I didn’t recognize them in the slightest. I rested my hand on the shotgun that I always had stashed just inside the entryway.
“Who the hell are you,” I said.
He was a biker; tall and broad shouldered with a bald head and a patchy beard.
“You Tara?” he asked gruffly.
I contemplated telling him no. But, didn’t think that would really help right now.
“Yeah,” I said while gripping the shotgun tighter.
“I got a message for you.”
He held out a crumpled piece of paper and dropped it in my outstretched hand. I unfurled it as best I could so I could make out the writing.
“Tara, I don’t buy the engagement. You have one day to make good on your marriage, or I’m coming after the gang. –Connor,” read the note.
My hand shook as I finished reading the note. I wanted to respond, but the biker that dropped off the note was already riding off down the road along with a couple of his friends.
There was only one thing I could do at this point. I had to tell Buck what I just heard. He would know what to do; he always knows what to do.
5.
I arrived at the tavern, shortly after, in a panic. When I stumbled my way in I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I sought out Buck immediately and
hurried to meet him.
“Buck, I got news, and it isn’t good,” I said as I handed him the note.
He took it and read, then turned it over looking for more writing.
“This it?” he said.
I was surprised by his careless demeanor. He barely batted an eye after he finished reading.
“Yeah, Buck. You know what this means, don’t you?” I asked.
“I do. It means that we have to make the marriage a real thing,” he replied coldly.
I sat on the stool and rested my head in my hands.
“I don’t think that will work, this time, Buck,” I said.
He snapped open a beer and set it down in front of me.
“I don’t take threats lying down. He’s calling our bluff, simple as that. I’m thinking I should go give him an invite to the wedding, personally.”
Buck pulled his shotgun from behind the bar. I knew what his invites were like, and they usually came at you fast.
“Buck, don’t do this,” I said putting a hand on his arm.
“I know what the note means, Tara. Whether we get married or not, he don’t care. He’s itching for a fight, just like me. I’m going to make sure that he doesn’t get the first punch,” he said.
The door flung open again, and in walked a bloody mess of a man. I ran over to him to hold him up; a couple other guys followed along.
“What happened,” I asked, “it looks like you rolled your cycle?”
The biker did his best to smile. I laid him out on a nearby table and was quickly surrounded by the rest of the gang that was there. Buck stomped over and looked the man up and down for a second.
“Two of them…” started the injured biker, “… they ran me off the road, into a ditch… then they bolted … Connor’s boys.”
“This is becoming too much of a habit,” Buck said angrily, “those bastards are going to get what’s coming to them.”
The rest of the motorcycle club cheered. This was the start of something which I didn’t want to get involved in. I shouldn’t have come back.
“Buck, I can’t do this anymore,” I said, “I’m going home.”
Buck grabbed my shoulder with his massive hand.
“Tara, I didn’t want you goin’ anyway. Take care of your momma.”
It was the last thing I thought he’d say. When we were younger, he wouldn’t have ridden off unless I was right behind him. But, now he didn’t want me. I was hoping he would have grabbed me and forced me to come along, just like the old days. He could have, and I would have followed along with a smile.
“Goodbye, Buck,” I said.
“Goodbye, Tara.” He sighed and gave me a push toward the door.
Now that he wasn’t holding me, I felt something missing. I wanted to run back into his arms and just run away. An overpowering thought started running through my head; I thought this would be the last time I would see him.
I turned to look at him while I walked out the door. He smiled at me. It wasn’t his regular smile; it felt like he trying to say ‘goodbye and thanks for the memories.'
I steeled myself and rode home. I could do little to hide my tears anymore, and they flowed freely.
6.
I tried to take my mind off the events that were unfolding. I wanted to get on my motorcycle and join in on the chaos that was probably ensuing. Then I would see my mother, lying in bed, barely able to move.
I knew where I was needed, and it wasn’t in a warzone. Buck could handle himself; I just had to stay positive. I waited by the phone, expecting a phone call at any moment; one that would never come.
“You look nervous, Tara,” my mother said.
“There’s a lot going on right now,” I replied.
“What’s keeping you inside? You used to like going for rides when you were like this, before. Is it something that Buck did?”
I wondered if I should tell her the truth.
“No, momma, it’s nothing. Just get back to sleep,” I said in a vain attempt at assuaging her curiosity.
“I’m not stupid, Tara. You could just tell me that Buck is off doing something crazy, like beating up a rival gang.”
I wondered how she knew, and my open mouth and gasps did nothing but prove her point.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“You know I was your father’s wife,” she said, “There’s a reason there weren’t any other motorcycle clubs around when you were growing up. And, I was there for most of them. Why aren’t you with Buck right now?”
“He sent me home, he didn’t want me there,” I said honestly.
“He didn’t want you there because he couldn’t stand the possibility of you getting’ hurt, Tara.”
I knew what she was saying was the truth. Buck really did love me, and I just seemed to slap him in the face every time he showed it.
“I gotta go, Momma,” I said as I ran to the closet and threw on my jacket.
“Take the shotgun with you,” she said, “I won’t need it.”
I did as I was told, and lumbered out with the shotgun in tow. My heart raced as I knew that was I had planned on doing was incredibly crazy. I also was scared of what Buck would do if we actually survived this.
I rode as fast as I could; I didn’t really know where. But, the place that was most famous for settling disputes was the old quarry. I wondered what I would do when I got there. Sometimes it’s best not to know.
7.
I was still half a mile out, and I could hear engines in the distance. The roaring thunder of motorcycles gathered in mass. It was impossible to make that sound any other way.
Rounding the corner, I saw Buck and the gang standing in a stalemate on the north side, while Connor and his gang were lined up on the south side. I could see the two men yelling at each other, but couldn’t make out what they were saying over all the noise.
I cut a path through the bikers, heading straight for Buck, coming to a screeching halt just in front of him.
He looked at me with rage.
“What the hell are you doing here,” he shouted.
“Why the hell wouldn’t I be here,” I shouted in response.
“Because I need to know you’ll be okay, get the hell home, now!”
“I’m not leaving your side, not until this is all through,” I said.
I took my place next to him, lifting the shotgun under my arm. Connor looked over at the two of us and laughed.
“I guess you guys really do love each other,” he said.
I looked up at Buck who didn’t change his expression in the slightest.
“I won’t ever leave my man,” I shouted.
Buck leaned over and pulled me in for a hug. I forgot how strong he was; it felt like he would break me in half with the force of it. I didn’t want him to stop, and I don’t think he wanted to either.
“Buck, I thought you loved me,” I heard a screeching woman’s voice say.
Looking over, I saw that Gracie had decided to come. I wanted to put her in her place, but I didn’t want to be the person pulling the trigger first.
“Gracie, you better crawl back into whatever hole you just crawled out of,” I shouted, only for Buck to throw his hand over my mouth.
“I can speak for myself, Tara,” he said.
He took a couple of steps forward. The lights of the other cycles were near blinding, and I couldn’t make out anyone’s face behind Connor and Gracie.
“Gracie, you know what we did. We weren’t nothin’ more than a good afternoon. Just tell your brother you’re done, and this whole feud can come to an end.”
Gracie started laughing.
“You think we were just some afternoon fun? I thought we were something more than that. My brother is going to kick your ass,” she said.
“Connor, can you control that woman? I don’t think she speaks for you,” Buck said.
Connor rubbed his forehead and clenched his teeth.
“Gracie, shut the hell up. We’re tryin’ to hash this out wi
thout people getting’ killed and you’re just makin’ things worse,” Connor said.
“You’re takin’ his side, instead of your own sister,” Gracie said, “what the hell is wrong with you, Connor?”
Connor turned and gave her a good smack across the cheek.
“You heard me, Gracie. Stop talking,” he said.
Gracie panicked. She started pounding her fists into Connor’s chest, but he didn’t budge. She cried and wailed, then collapsed to her knees a crying mess.
“Connor, I got no beef with you or your gang. I just want us all to walk out of here and forget any of this happened,” Buck said.
Connor thought for a moment, looking to his sister crying on the ground. I could see his embarrassment at having her by his side.
“Gracie, get up,” Connor said.
He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her from the loose gravel. She didn’t resist, and just seemed to have lost all interest in what was happening.
Connor pulled her back and sat her on his motorcycle. She sat without a sound, motionless. Then Connor turned back to Buck and me.
“Buck, I got nothing against you. I was just tryin’ to do right by my sister. When you said you were gettin’ married to Tara, I thought you were joking. I had a feeling you were just saying that ‘cause you didn’t want to end up with Gracie. I don’t blame you; if she weren’t family, things would have been different.
“Get outta here, Buck,” Connor said.
He backed up and eased back on his cycle, and kicked it started.
“You got a hell of a girl there,” Connor Added.
“I really do,” Buck said.
Buck turned and started walking back towards me. I was glad things ended so easily and without a fight. Then again, I did miss watching Buck get ornery.
“I’m the only one you should ever love,” shouted Gracie, then she turned her gaze toward me, “he would love me if you were dead!”
Gracie held up a revolver, taking aim straight at me. I started to duck, and I felt everything start to move incredibly slowly. I looked at Buck, who had a horrified expression.
I could remember the first time I saw him. He wasn’t as big then, but he was scrappy. I wondered if he ever thought about me when we were younger. There are worse ways to die; I wouldn’t be able to dodge at this distance.
Romance: Teen Romance: Follow Your Dreams (A Nerd and a Bad Boy Romance) (New Adult High School Sports Romance) Page 5
