Rhythm of the Road

by Autumn Jones Lake

  He slips on a patient expression. “I’m listening.”

  “It’s been the two of us for a long time now. She’s just protective.” The words feel wrong as they roll off my tongue.

  “She shouldn’t try to live vicariously through you.”

  “She’s not,” I protest, even though my heart’s whispering in agreement.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Rooster

  Waking up next to Shelby needs to happen more often.

  Like every damn morning.

  I can’t remember ever having the urge to watch a woman sleep. Usually, I’m praying they disappear in the middle of the night and I’m relieved to wake up alone.

  If Shelby ever vanishes in the middle of the night, there’s a good chance I’ll burn the city to the ground trying to find her.

  Listening to her defend me to her mother last night was the final straw.

  I’m in love with this woman.

  Her mom? Not so much.

  Not because she doesn’t want me hanging around Shelby. Other than it stressing Shelby out, I don’t give a fuck what Lynn thinks about me.

  Hinting that Shelby should fuck Dawson to get ahead? That’s the part that pissed me the fuck off.

  I overheard a lot more of their conversation than Shelby realizes.

  What am I going to do about it?

  Not a damn thing.

  Shelby and her mom are tight. I get it. However misguided, she thinks she’s looking out for her daughter.

  Only one way to handle this. Keep supporting Shelby however I can and showing her how I feel. Eventually, Lynn will come around. And honestly, I’m relieved her opposition to me has more to do with Shelby’s career than, say, me being VP of a motorcycle club.

  I snort to myself. At least Lynn won’t be asking us when she can expect some grandbabies.

  “What are you laughing at?” Shelby mumbles.

  “Nothing. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “Hmm.” She snuggles closer, her warm breath drifting over my arm.

  I twist and glance at the clock. She can have another fifteen minutes tops.

  Flashing and blinking from my phone catches my attention. I swipe it off the nightstand and check the messages.

  One from Lynn, thanking me for the video.

  I flip my middle finger at the screen.

  Jigsaw asking how my trip’s going.

  I send him a quick reply.

  Z wants to know what I’m up to.

  I respond to that right away.

  Me: I’m about two hours from Allentown. Wanna meet up?

  Z: Why do you want to meet in Allentown?

  Me: To kiss your ass. What do you think?

  My phone vibrates. God dammit, Z. If I wanted to talk, I would’ve called. I toss the covers back and step into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Learned last night there’s no privacy in our room.

  “What, old man?” I answer. “Texting giving you arthritis or something?”

  “You’re awfully grouchy for someone shacking up with his little songbird.” Z’s voice flows with amusement.

  Deep laughter rumbles out of me. “Jiggy’s such a snitch.”

  “Nope. Lilly spotted your big ass on Instagram.”

  “Well, shit.”

  He chuckles.

  “I’m headed back to Virginia after she leaves.”

  “Don’t need to explain it to me.” He waits a beat or two. “Why you want to meet up?”

  “Well, obviously it’s not something I want to discuss over the phone, Prez.” Z’s not that dumb; he just enjoys fucking with me.

  He blows out a long breath. “You’re working my last nerve, motherclucker. Hang on.”

  There’s a muffled scratching noise. Some sniffing. A slurping sound. Guessing Z’s home and the dogs are looking for his attention.

  “Rock and I will meet you. Text me an address.”

  Shit, I don’t know the area all that well. “Why you dragging Rock with you?”

  “He and Hope were staying at our place this weekend anyway.”

  “Oh, shit. Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. Rock’s been dying for a bro trip with me.” He laughs again. “Should I invite anyone else along?”

  “Nah.” We talk for a few more minutes, setting up a time, and I promise to text him a location.

  As soon as I hang up with Z, my phone buzzes again.

  Greg.

  Why’s this fucker calling me?

  “Yeah?” I flip the taps in the sink on and run my toothbrush under the water.

  “Shelby’s phone is off.”

  “Good morning, Greg,” I mumble around a mouth full of toothpaste. “How are you?”

  “Why is her phone off?”

  I lean over and spit, rinsing my mouth before answering. “I don’t fucking know.”

  I slam the bathroom door open harder than I meant to and search the room until I find her phone. “Got it.”

  Shelby grumbles and shoves her head under her pillow.

  “Make sure she keeps it on. See you two in a little bit.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Greg hangs up.

  Asshole.

  “That had to be Greg. What’d he want?” Shelby mumbles.

  “Guess your phone was off and he freaked out.”

  She huffs an annoyed noise and reaches for her phone, quickly checking her texts.

  “Oh, jeez.” She turns her phone toward me. “That’s what he’s fussin’ about.”

  Another picture of us from last night. Making out backstage.

  “Good thing they didn’t see what we did in your dressing room.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

  She laughs softly.

  “Z’s wife must have seen it too. He knew I was with you.”

  “Gotta love social media.”

  That’s why I’ve avoided it for so many years. But I’m not trying to guilt trip Shelby so I don’t say that out loud.

  “Come on. Let’s grab breakfast. Greg will have a stroke if you’re late.”

  One minute before ten, I pull into the parking lot. I’m not giving Shelby up a second sooner than I have to.

  The bike rolls to a stop next to the van and I toe the kickstand down. Shelby hops off and hands me her helmet. “Thank you.”

  I take her backpack and follow her to the van.

  “Sup?” Trent says, grabbing her pack and tossing it inside. “Greg’s grabbing coffee. You eat?” he asks Shelby.

  “We had breakfast.”

  Since it seems we have a few minutes after all, I tug her over to my bike, resting my butt on the seat and pulling her between my knees. “You want coffee or something for the road?”

  “No.” She loops her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “What about it?”

  “My mom. I…I know you’re right. It’s just…”

  “Hey.” I tip her chin up with my finger. “I get why she worries about you. She’s been through a lot.”

  “I don’t want you to be mad at her.”

  “I’m not.” I curl my arms around her waist and kiss the tip of her nose. “Fucking loved the way you stood up for us.”

  Her eyes widen. She tries to pull back but I tighten my hold on her.

  “I love you, Shelby.”

  Of all the places to tell this woman I love her. A cheap motel parking lot isn’t my first choice. But now that I’ve figured out what that warm sensation spreading through my chest is every time I think about her, I can’t stand another second of her not knowing exactly how I feel.

  “Logan.” She leans in and kisses me. “I love you too. Been fighting it for a while.”

  I draw back. “Why?”

  “I don’t have a lot of myself to give right now.” She waves toward the van. “You deserve…more.”

  That sounds a lot more ominous than I’m prepared for. “All I need is you. I knew this going in. I’m here for all of it, Shelby.”

  “You mean that?
”

  “I do.” I push her hair back. “Hate leaving you right now. Wouldn’t do it if I hadn’t promised to finish up some things down in Virginia.”

  Every word’s the truth. My body’s already protesting the idea of heading in the opposite direction.

  “We’ll meet up in a few days.” She bites her lip. “You’ll still be down there, right?”

  How can she even ask? I just told her I love her and she’s worried I won’t make the effort to see her? That visit’s the only reason I’m willing to let her go today.

  “Fuck yeah. Planning to roll out with you.”

  “Really?”

  “Think you’ll be okay with that?”

  “I’m more than okay with it.” She shifts her gaze and picks at a loose thread on my shoulder. “Tour ends in Texas. I’m supposed to go home for a few days, then up to Tennessee to record…then another tour.”

  “I don’t mind dropping in to say hi to your mom.” I grin down at her but she doesn’t laugh.

  “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.” She shakes her head quickly.

  “I’ll win her over.” Yeah, I’d been pissed about what I overheard. But the woman’s been through some of the worst tragedies life can throw at you and still managed to raise this strong, incredible woman. I can’t blame her for wanting the best for Shelby.

  “While you’re recording, I’ll head home to take care of stuff so I’m not in your way.” I have no idea what her recording process entails. I’m damn curious though. Want to worm my way into every single crevice of her life.

  “You could never be in the way.”

  “Think somewhere in there we can schedule a few days to spend in New York?”

  “I’d like that. A lot.”

  Relief flows through me. I kiss her forehead. “Good.”

  Shelby

  Once again, Rooster waits until the van pulls away.

  He loves me.

  Now he knows exactly how I feel about him too.

  “You two looked intense. Everything all right?” Trent pushes my blanket to the side and drops down next to me.

  “Better than all right.”

  “Good.” He glances out the window. “He seems to make you happy.”

  “So far, so good.”

  “Can you give us a minute, Trent?” Greg jerks his head to the side, dismissing Trent.

  Trent pats my leg. “We’ll talk later.” He brushes past Greg, knocking into his shoulder.

  I scowl at Greg’s tense face. “What’s going on?”

  “I got a call from your mother this morning.”

  Sadly, this isn’t the first time she’s called Greg. It’s embarrassing as all hell. “I just talked to her last night.”

  “She had some…strong opinions about Logan visiting you on tour.”

  Anger and frustration bubble up, threatening to leak from my eyes. “That’s not her decision to make.” I stab him with a look. “Or yours.”

  He holds his hands up. “I told her that. I’m not sure why she’s so adamant. Logan seems to treat you well. You’re happier when he’s around. He gets you back to us on time. Helps out when he’s here. She doesn’t seem to care about the biker thing—which would be my concern.”

  “They’re his family,” I say, annoyed he brought up something he knows nothing about. “And they’ve always been kind to me.”

  “Good. That’s all that matters.”

  “I’m sorry she called you.”

  “Don’t be.” He huffs a short laugh. “That’s my job.”

  “Dealing with your twenty-two-year-old client’s mother?” I roll my eyes his way. “Come on, Greg. That’s not in your job description.”

  “Will we see Logan again?”

  “Uh, yeah. The Virginia dates.” I don’t want to let Greg know Rooster’s planning to join me on the tour after that. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, I’ll feel silly.

  Forget my mother’s meddling. Sure, I’m annoyed about it. I’ll have some choice words for her when I calm down. But I can’t worry about her antics right now.

  My heart thumps.

  I admitted to Logan that I love him.

  Few things scare me more than a broken heart. This morning, with three little words, I set my foolish heart free.

  And I’m more terrified than ever.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Rooster

  Two Harleys I recognize are neatly backed into spots in front of the diner.

  Fuck. Can’t wait for Z to bust my balls for making him wait.

  Two hours was overly optimistic. Took more like three to get here.

  Still, I stop to check my phone before going inside.

  A picture of Shelby staring out the van window flashes on my screen.

  Missin’ you already.

  Damn. Why the fuck am I up in Allentown instead of following her to Louisville?

  The club comes first.

  I stroll into the diner. Place doesn’t look quite as bright and shiny as it did on Yelp. My boots make a scraping noise over the chipped, dirty tile. The hostess is pleasant enough, though. She beams up at me. “I bet you’re looking for the two gentlemen in the back. Let me show you to their booth, sir.”

  “Thank you.”

  Figures the two presidents found a spot far away from anyone else.

  I spot Z’s broad shoulders and the top of his Lost Kings top rocker first. Rock’s sitting across from him in the large, red vinyl booth and lifts his chin when he notices me.

  “Here ya go.” The waitress hands me a menu. “Holler when you’re ready to order.”

  “Thank you.”

  Rock slides out and stands, motioning for me to take a seat. Super. Wedged between the two of them with no escape. I awkwardly shift over the seat, grunting when my hand brushes over something sticky.

  “Classy joint you located.” Z grins at me.

  “You couldn’t get a normal table?” I bitch.

  The woman who showed me to the booth returns with a pot of coffee for the three of us.

  After she leaves, Z sits back, spreading his arms out. “What are we doing here, bro?”

  Rock’s more serious. “Things all right down at Ice’s place?”

  “Yeah. It’s quite a setup.” I turn toward Z. “He’s deeper into the porn game than we thought. Has himself a sweet little house set up for his girl to film in. Something we might want to explore.”

  “Real estate’s always a wise investment,” Rock says. “It would sure be better than Stella’s hotel schtick.”

  Z winces at the mention of his ex’s name.

  “I wouldn’t mess with her theme,” I assure Z. “It works for her. But for the other girls, we should consider it.”

  “Yeah, whatever you think is best.” Z waves his hand over the table. “That really why you brought us down here, though?”

  “No.” I clasp my hands on the table in front of me. “You know they had issues with Vipers?” I turn toward Rock. “Same problem you had. They burned down one of their businesses.”

  Rock sits back and nods slowly. “Yeah, that was a while ago. Jersey, right?” He flashes a grim smile at Z. “No Vipers left in NY.”

  “Fuckin’ A,” Z mutters.

  I lean in again. “Ice says that event triggered a visit from the ATF.”

  “No shit.” Z shrugs. “Not shocking, though. Wrath had to put up with an arson investigation.”

  “That was contained locally,” Rock says, his tone turning sharper. “Maybe it’s time for you to move on if Virginia’s on ATF’s radar.”

  Rock’s not my president, so it’s not an order. More like a strong suggestion. While we haven’t openly discussed it, I’m sure he’s aware I helped Z plant the car bomb that blew the late Senator Kelly sky-high. It’s in all of our interests that my name doesn’t come across the desk of anyone at ATF.

  “If their clubhouse is under surveillance, they’ve probably already identified you,” Z says in a flat tone.

  “I’m plannin
g to take off and travel with Shelby as soon as I finish up the website for Ice.”

  “Good.” Rock sits back.

  My gaze skirts to Z. “That’s not what concerned me and why I asked to meet up.”

  “Christ,” Rock mutters. “What else?”

  I scan the room quickly. Neat rows of Formica tables and empty red vinyl chairs. No lingering waitresses or busboys. We’re still the only ones in this section. “Ice claims he has the ATF problem solved.”

  “Fuuuck,” Z groans. “Do we want to hear this?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s find out,” I quip before turning serious again.

  Rock flicks a quick glance at the ceiling, his mouth twisting like he’s trying to hold back his laughter.

  Under the table there’s a soft thump. “Keep thanking Buddha, fucker,” Z grumbles at Rock. He jerks his thumb at me. “I was never this disrespectful.”

  “Please,” Rock draws out the word to dismiss Z’s comment. “Go on, Rooster.”

  I grin at both of them. “So happy I could be the catalyst for your presidential bonding trip.”

  They both glare at me in return.

  “Anyway, Jiggy and I pulled the story out of Pants.”

  “How is that scary mountain man?” Z asks.

  “He’s apparently a hog farmer now. Doesn’t seem as excited about the porn as Ice and T-Bone.”

  “Not surprised. About either of those,” Rock says. “Go on.”

  “He says they have people inside ATF now. Sounds like blackmail for one, and another might be family to Ice or someone at their charter.”

  “Fuck me.” Rock focuses his stare on Z. “That’s new territory.”

  Z runs his hand over his jaw. “They think that’s gonna give ‘em enough cover to do what?”

  “I think they want back into guns.”

  “Priest won’t go for that. Even if ATF is covered. Too much potential to go wrong.”

  “Right. That’s what Jigsaw and I thought.”

  “Although…” Z says.

  “Here we go,” Rock mutters.

  “Demons never got out of guns that we know of. Maybe we can work this situation to their advantage. If we don’t want to split what’s coming to them after DeLova retires, maybe we can hook them up with Virginia.”

  “I thought you were worried we’d all get swept up in that?” I ask.