CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO TAKING RISKS

Brayden—

It’s ten hours to Oklahoma City, and the fastest way is through Memphis. We discussed it at our last fuel stop and decided to take our chances. The total time we’ll be in the state of Tennessee and in the Sin Squad’s territory is less than twenty-two miles, and we figure about a half-hour. Maybe because we’re younger, we’re up for taking the risk.

In my present state of mind, I’d welcome a goddamn fight. Perhaps that’s why I push the others to take the chance and stop acting like a bunch of pussies.

That, and I’m still pissed from the last time those assholes chased me out of their state.

It’s hot going through the city, and we seem to hit it just at the lunch rush, so the interstate is snarled with traffic. We make it through, and just as the traffic opens, I hear the rumble of motorcycles and glance in my rearview mirror. Four motorcycles roar up on an entrance ramp behind us.

I twist, my brothers all doing the same. It’s obvious they’re all wearing the same cut, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out they’ve got to be the Sin Squad MC.

“Haul ass!” Billy yells, and we hit our throttles hard, surging forward and zooming around cars and trucks. We race ahead.

I glance back; they’re keeping pace with us, even as we do almost ninety miles per hour.

The interstate heading west out of Memphis is just two lanes. We cross the Mississippi River on an old steel bridge. The Sin Squad is hot on our tail as we hit the other side.

I see a sign for a weigh station up ahead, and semi-tractor trailers are slowing to exit.

As we pass the station in a thunderous roar, we pick up a state trooper. He barrels onto the interstate after us, lights flashing.

The Sin Squad close in on us, and TJ and I both look back, then at each other. I know I’ve got to do something, so I pull my piece and fire behind me, hitting one’s tire. His bike goes down, taking the others with him like bowling pins.

We race on, and I see in my rearview mirror the cop pulling over at the downed bikes.

Billy gestures to the next exit, and we take it, racing onto a two-lane highway, heading west and running parallel to the interstate, but a good distance from it. We ride it for miles, staying on the side road all the way into Little Rock, where we finally hook back up with the interstate. We don’t stop until we cross into Oklahoma.

Just after we see the Welcome to Oklahoma sign, we see another saying, Entering Cherokee Nation.

We pull off at a small bar and park in the back. I’m barely off my bike before TJ is in my face.

“What the fuck were you goddamn thinking? You fire at them when there’s a state trooper right behind them? That’s fucking stupid, Brayden.” He slams his fists into my chest, shoving me back a foot.

I come at him. Big brother forgets sometimes I’m taller than he is, and I’m no longer the little brother he can push around. “Get the fuck out of my face.”

“Guys, break it up,” Billy snarls, coming between us and shoving us apart. “Let’s get some goddamn food.”

Kyle and Rafe stand to the side, watching but saying nothing. Marcus jerks his chin at them.

“You heard the man. Move.”

The six of us troop inside the back door of the bar. It’s a small place with a bar on one side and a couple of tables on the other. We move to the bar and order a round of beer.

“You got any food?” Marcus asks, and the bartender passes us a menu.

He scans it and passes it down. It’s really only got wings on it.

“Wings it is, then,” Marcus says. “Give us each six.”

TJ ignores me, but Billy sits to my left. “You’ve been itching for a fight since we left. And I get why. I heard about you and Shades’ daughter. What the fuck were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t thinking anything. We met, and we hit it off. Big time. I don’t get what the problem is.”

“Yeah, you do. Don’t play stupid. Or maybe you’d like Prez to explain it to you when we get to Cali.”

“Says the man who didn’t let that shit stop him from dating my sister.”

“Touché. I get it, okay? I’m on your side. But I have to warn you, it’s not an easy road you’re heading down.” When I don’t reply, he studies me. “She worth it?”

I take a long pull off my beer, then turn and meet his eyes. “Yeah, Billy. She’s worth it all.”

He grins and slaps me on the back. “Then fuck everyone. Just be prepared, cause there’s gonna be some hard choices you’re gonna have to make.”

Our food arrives, and we dig in. When we’re finished and pay the tab, we walk out to our bikes.

Marcus is scrolling on his phone. “Got us a spot at a KOA just before we hit Oklahoma City.”

“Good. I’m beat.”

“If we haul ass, we might make it before dark.”

I swing my leg over my bike, and TJ stops in front of me, his arms folded.

“Look, I told Dad they didn’t need us there anymore. I didn’t say shit about the real reason Shades wanted us gone.”

I look away. “Appreciate it.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Brayden, I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Could have fooled me,” I mutter.

“When we get home, you’re gonna have to tell Dad yourself why we were asked to leave.”

I’m not sure how I’ll break that to him, or if I even will, but the reminder has my thoughts drifting to Rebel. I hope her father’s not reaming her ass at this very minute. I hate to be the reason she’s caused any more pain. This whole situation sucks.

“Hey,” TJ says, drawing my attention. I turn and find him grinning. “We were tired of breaking our backs anyway, so you did us all a favor.”

I know he’s just trying to lighten my mood, but I can’t find it in me to smile at his teasing.

“Let’s roll, boys,” Billy calls out, and we fall into formation, roaring onto the highway.

It’s late by the time I finally crawl into my bedroll. I want to call Rebel so badly, but the guys are all close, and the last thing I want is to have them hear our conversation. So, I opt to text her.

ME: I’m lying here on my bedroll under the starry night sky, but all I can think about is you. Please don’t hate me for leaving the way I did, baby.

I wait a long time for a reply, and just when I decide she’s not speaking to me, those three dots appear, and I know she’s typing a response.

REBEL: I don’t want to be coy or hostile or play fucking games. It’s too late to guard my heart against you. I love you, Brayden. I was mad, but I can’t stay mad at you. I miss you too much.

ME: I’m so sorry, baby. I’d call you, but I don’t want the guys overhearing our conversation.

REBEL: My mother came over today, and I cried my eyes out on her shoulder. Then she told me all about the feud between your father and mine.

ME: Really? I don’t understand how something that happened between them years ago should affect the two of us.

REBEL: It’s ridiculous

ME: Amen. There’s a full moon tonight. Can you see it?

It takes a moment for her to reply, and I imagine her moving to the window.

REBEL: Yes, I see it. It makes me feel closer to you, knowing we’re both looking at the same moon.

ME: Me, too, honey. Get some sleep, and I’ll try to sneak off in the morning and call you. I love you, Rebel. Don’t ever forget that. Promise me.

REBEL: I won’t, I promise. I love you, too, Brayden.

ME: Send me a picture.

A moment later, one pops up of her lying in bed, smiling at the camera.

ME: There’s my girl.

REBEL: I love when you call me your girl. Today sucked, but just texting with you makes me feel so much better.

ME: I’m glad. Get some sleep and dream of me, pretty girl. Good night, honey.

REBEL: Goodnight, my love.