CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kyle—

The following day, Sutton and I work the lunch and dinner rush at the Farmer's Market. When we finish and close up, my phone goes off.

RAFE: CAN YOU brING SUTTON TO THE CLUBHOUSE AND I'LL PICK HER UP THERE?

ME: I CAN, BUT IT'LL HAVE TO BE ON MY BIKE. I'M NOT HAULING THE TRAILER ALL THE WAY TO THE CLUBHOUSE AND I'M NOT UNHITCHING IT TONIGHT.

RAFE: FINE. JUST MEET ME AT THE CLUBHOUSE

"What is it?" Sutton asks, glancing at my phone.

"Rafe wants me to give you a ride to the clubhouse. Said he'll pick you up there after I drop the trailer off at my place."

"Okay."

I'm not sure she even knows the significance of this, but if Rafe is good with it, I'll take any chance I can to spend more time with her.

I lock up the food truck, and we climb into my pickup and haul it to my house, where I plan to leave it parked for the night.

"That was her. I'm sure of it." Sutton picks up the conversation we'd been having earlier.

"The lady in the baseball cap and sunglasses?" I ask, glancing over. "I doubt it."

"It was her. I've heard she wears disguises sometimes, so she gets to give an honest opinion."

"Well, she did order three different items." I hang my wrist over the steering wheel and watch the reflection of the streetlights flash across the windshield.

"Exactly. She got the chicken chili, cornbread, the onion rings, and a cheeseburger. I watched her sit at one of the picnic tables. She tasted everything, then made notes on her phone after each bite. Then she dumped the rest in the trash and left."

I lift a brow. "She threw my food away. That can't be good."

"Food critics do that. They can't possibly eat everything they review."

"If you say so."

In a few minutes, I pull into my driveway and park. We climb out and head to my bike. The neighborhood is quiet, crickets chirping in the night air.

I dig my spare helmet out of my saddlebag and hand it over.

Putting Sutton on the back of my bike is a dream come true. It's not something I would ever normally do, because brothers don't haul around another member's girl on the back of their bike. That's sacred. But I can only assume Rafe knew just what he was asking when he said it.

She climbs on the back and wraps her arms around me, holding on tight. It feels good. It feels right.

As we drive across town, I don't want it to end, so I take the long way.

Finally, I pull into the clubhouse lot, and we climb off. I lead her to the bar, and we take two stools. "You think she liked the food? The Five Forks lady," I clarify.

Sutton grins. "How could she not? She'll give your food Five Forks for sure."

Green turns from his stool. "Some chick giving you forks? Is that like one of them dating app winks?"

I chuckle, and Sutton explains. "It's like getting five stars. It's a way of reviewing his food."

"Huh. How ‘bout that?" Green stands, reaches over the bar top, and grabs a handful of forks. "Here. I'll give you five forks."

Sutton rolls her eyes. "That's not how it works."

"Don't bother trying to explain it to him, Sutton. He's yankin' my chain."

"Oh." She turns to Green. "His food is very good, you know."

"I do know. I ate a bunch at the picnic." He looks at me. "I told ya I liked it, didn't I?"

"Yeah, Green. You did."

"What's goin' on?" TJ asks, walking up.

"Kyle's collecting forks," Green replies.

TJ glances over at me. "The fork lady come try your food?"

"Sutton thinks she saw her today. I'm not so sure it was her," I say.

"It was her," she insists.

I order us a couple of beers, and Sutton checks her phone.

"Nothing yet. She usually posts her daily reviews by nine."

Cole, Crash, and TJ walk over and take a stool at the bar.

"What are you boys up to?" Crash asks.

Green lifts his chin to me. "Kyle and Sutton just got here." He slides a fork across the bar to Crash. "Here. Give him a fork."

Crash frowns at me. "Is he high?"

I shrug. "He's just being Green."

"What the fuck's he talking about?" Cole asks.

"Never mind. It's a stupid joke," TJ tells his ol' man.

Green points a fork at me. "Hey. My jokes are never stupid."

The prospect behind the bar carries over two long necks, and I tilt mine up. Sutton continues to check her phone.

I shake my head. "Don't waste all night on that."

"I can't help it. I have to know."

I lock eyes with TJ. "Heard from Brayden lately?"

"He talked to Ma a couple of days ago. She said he sounded happy." TJ gets a beer. "He texted me last week. I think he misses Cali, but he loves that girl too much to drag her from her home and family. He'll stick it out."

"Any plans to come home for a visit?" I rest a hand on the bar top and turn to talk to him.

TJ shrugs. "Maybe over the summer."

Marcus and Brandy, and Billy and Melissa walk in, followed by my brother.

The girls hug Sutton.

"Hey, girl," Melissa says, then looks at me. "Did you guys work today?"

"We did. Just finished the dinner rush."

Sutton checks her phone again. "It's up!" She quickly scans through it. "It's about us!"

I lean over her shoulder. "What does it say?"

She reads it aloud.

I'd heard about Kyle's as many of you have tagged me in your own reviews of the new food truck making waves in San Jose. Plus, the videos of customers raving about them have gone viral. So, with high expectations, I headed across the Bay Bridge to check them out for myself.

I have to say that Kyle's serves up what is by far the best chicken chili I've ever had, and the onion rings are to die for. As a bonus, they come with an amazing secret sauce that was a gift to my pallet. Their cheeseburgers are cooked to perfection with a fantastic bakery bun, elevating it beyond the usual fare served around town.

You can try them for yourself outside the Farmer's Market at San Pedro Square every Tuesday and Thursday, plus varying spots around the city. Their daily locations can be found on their website, which I've listed below.

In my humble opinion, Kyle's is definitely worth the trip across the Bay Bridge.

Five Fantastic Forks!

Sutton throws her fists in the air and bounces on her feet, then hugs me. I'm grinning from ear to ear, filled with stunned amazement and joy, but my eyes connect with Rafe, and I quickly disengage.

"Congrats, man," Marcus says, clasping my hand. "I take it this is a big deal?"

" Huge ." Sutton fills him in. "A good review from this lady is like magic fairy dust. She can make or break a career with one review."

"Well, that's a great review, Kyle," Melissa says, and hugs my neck. When she pulls back, she pats my arm. "Well deserved, too." She turns to her father. "We should celebrate."

Cole raises his glass of whiskey. "Cheers to ya, Kyle. I'm happy for you."

"I know," Brandy says, snapping her fingers and looking at Melissa and Sutton. "We should go up to the marina, where my father has his boat. I'm sure he'll let us use it."

"Or we could ride the bikes down to the beach," Billy suggests. "I've been wanting to check out Pacifica."

"Either way, I see bikinis in our future," Marcus replies with a grin.

"Oh, let's go to the beach. They've got that pier, and I've always wanted to check out that taco place on the beach. I've heard they've got awesome frozen margaritas," Sutton says.

"I'm sold," Green chimes in.

TJ tilts his head. "What do you think, Dad? You want to make it a club ride?"

Cole turns to Crash. "You up for it, VP?"

Crash shrugs. "Sure."

Cole downs his beer and stands. "Okay. Sunday good for you?"

Seeing Sutton's happiness, I can't help but agree. "Sure."

"We'll head out at eleven on Sunday." He lifts a chin to Crash. "Come back to the office with me."

I watch them walk out and catch Green's eyes. "I'm surprised he agreed to that."

"Anything that takes his mind off starting a war with the mob, I'm all for," he replies, tilting his beer up.

"Amen," I murmur.

Sunday morning, I roll into the clubhouse lot at eleven am on the dot. Most of the club is already here. Shane and Briana, Jake and Layla, Crash and Shannon, Cole and Angel. I park next to Rafe and Sutton and climb from my bike.

Rafe sits sideways on his seat, yawns, and then sips from his coffee. "Who's idea was this?"

"Your girl's, dumbass," I rib him.

"Oh." He holds his cup up. "Great idea, babe. Yay."

Sutton rolls her eyes and turns her attention to me. "How long do you think it'll take us?"

"It's just under an hour ride to get up there."

"Where's TJ and Gigi?" Billy asks, walking over with Melissa, holding hands like they're high-school sweethearts.

I slip my phone from my pocket. "I don't know. Let me call him." A moment later, I've got him on speaker. "Where are you, brother?"

"In bed. Gettin' my dick sucked. Why?"

I laugh, my eyes on the horizon. "We're all assembled in the clubhouse parking lot, ready to head out."

"Shit. I forgot." Then a muffled, "Babe, hurry up."

Cole walks up, his arm around Angel. "Where's TJ?"

"You better haul ass down here, TJ. Prez wants to know where you are," I add.

He hangs up, and I grin at Cole. "He's comin'."

"Literally." Billy smirks, and Melissa whacks his arm.

Cole's eyes shift between us. "He's got ten minutes, then we're leavin' without him."

"Aw, come on, Daddy," Melissa pleads. "You wouldn't leave your daughter-in-law behind, would you?"

He sighs. "Fine. But they better hurry." He and Angel head inside.

"He loves Gigi," Melissa says.

"There's Wolf and Crystal." Billy lifts his chin, and I turn toward my mother and father, pulling in, Green and Sara behind them.

"And there are your parents," I reply as Red Dog and Mary bring up the rear.

My eyes shift to Sutton, and she smiles at me. I have to settle for that. I'm learning to live off whatever time I can spend near her, knowing it's all I'll ever have from this girl. Just a meeting of the eyes and a smile. It has to be enough.

I'm the odd man out today—the only one without a woman riding bitch. It's never bothered me before, but today it does. I know it's going to be hard to keep my eyes off Sutton.

Soon TJ and Gigi arrive, and we pull out in formation. Since I'm solo, I take the rear. I find Rafe and Sutton two rows ahead, her chin resting on his shoulder. He reaches back and strokes her thigh. Looking away, my jaw tightens.

An hour later, we park our bikes in a lot near the beach and walk over. Several of the girls have brought blankets to spread out in the sand, and they shimmy out of their jeans and shirts until they're down to their bikinis. Someone brought a frisbee, and soon they've got a game going.

I strip my boots and shirt and join in. I prefer that to watching Rafe rub sunscreen on Sutton's smooth skin.

When the sun gets too hot, we wade into the waves.

An hour later, Green emits a sharp whistle and motions with his arm, then cups his hands around his mouth. "Margarita time. Let's go."

We make our way to the taco place on the beach and sit out on the deck overlooking the ocean.

Rafe is slow in coming out with his and Sutton's drinks, and she sits next to me, saving the chair on her other side for my brother.

Green sips on a frozen mango margarita, then looks over at Cole. "Why don't we have one of these machines at the clubhouse? We could have frozen margaritas whenever we want."

"You feel free to buy us one, Green."

He scans his phone. "A thousand bucks? Jesus."

"That's why we don't have one," Cole says, sipping on his own.

Angel leans against his side. "We should come up here sometime and visit that place we once stayed at, remember?"

Cole dips his head, rubbing his jaw against her forehead. "You mean that place in Rockaway, overlooking the water?"

She nods. "That's the one. And we could eat at Nick's. I loved that place."

"Sure, baby doll. You figure out a weekend, and we'll do it." He kisses her forehead and squeezes her thigh.

"I want a love like they have," Sutton whispers, and I turn toward her.

"It's lasted decades, and there's nothing gonna pull those two apart," I reply.

Rafe walks up and passes her a frozen strawberry margarita, then takes his seat and looks at the view, kicking his legs out. "This is the life, huh?"

"Yep, this is the life," I reply, glancing at Sutton, and she smiles. I turn my attention to the ocean and listen to the waves rolling on the beach's edge. Seagulls float in the wind and play amid the glittering white waves. I feel myself unwind in the warmth of the sun.

A moment later, my phone goes off. I don't recognize the number, and let it go, setting it on the table. A minute later, it dings, notifying me I have a voicemail. I frown and put it to my ear.

Then I set the phone down and stare at Sutton.

Seeing my expression, she frowns. "What is it?"

My mouth drops open. "They just offered me a spot at Tribe."

"What's Tribe?" she asks.

Green answers for me. "Tribe is awesome. It's that music festival out in the Mohave desert. I went there when I was a youngster like you. I don't know if it still does, but back then, that thing lasted a week."

"Now it's three days."

Sutton turns to me. "They offered you a spot for the food truck?"

"That was one of the festival organizers. He saw the review." I meet her eyes. "Do you know how hard it is to get a spot at Tribe?"

"That's awesome, bro. Congratulations," Rafe says.

I toss my phone on the table. "I can't go."

"Why not?" Green asks.

"I'd never be able to run the truck by myself. The crowds are epic there."

Green lifts his chin to Sutton. "So, take her. She works for ya, don't she?"

I meet Rafe's eyes.

He appears caught off guard.

Green notices the vibe that passes between us. "Aw, come on, man. This is his dream. You gonna stand in his way?"

"I guess not," Rafe replies. "If she wants to go, that's up to her."

Sutton's jaw works, and I'm not sure she likes his answer.

I shake the remnants of the frozen drink in the bottom of my plastic cup and toss it back, then stand. "I'm gonna get another one." I head inside. Green tears into Rafe as I go.

"Don't be a dick, Rafe. You know how hard he's worked. This is his shot."

"I said she could go, didn't I?"

I walk into the building and stand in line. A moment later, I feel a presence at my side. It's Sutton.

"I'll come with you," she offers.

"You sure?" I ask, wondering if I should even consider taking her up on her offer. Traveling alone with her—it's insane to think about. Yet I find the words tumbling out of my mouth. "It's a three-day festival."

She bites her lip. "This is your big shot. We have to do it. So, do we camp?"

Green comes in from the deck and walks over to us, his eyes hitting Sutton. "You goin' with him?"

"Yes."

"She's concerned about sleeping in a tent," I tell him.

"I didn't say that exactly."

"Sara and I have a camper. We bought it two years ago so we could go to the Grand Canyon. You can take that."

"A camper?" I ask. "What kind?"

He pulls out his phone and shows me a picture. "It's built on the chassis of a Ford 350. It's 22ft long, and there's a trailer hitch so you can pull your food trailer. There are two couches on either side that fold down to beds."

"Is there a bathroom?" Sutton asks.

"Yep, even a small shower and kitchenette. AC, heat… everything you need."

"You sure you want me to take that? It looks expensive as hell," I say.

"It was. Sara's father chipped in. He's big into RVing and wanted us to get into it, too."

"How'd that work out?" I ask with a grin.

"Hey, I dig it. Just don't have a lot of time for it lately."

"Are you seriously offering this thing, Green? That's a big deal."

"Absolutely. It'll be perfect for what you need, and I'm happy it'll get some use."

I look at Sutton. "What do you think?"

"Let's do it."

Green grins and taps her chin with a wink. "Thatta girl." His attention shifts to me. "You got a chance to make some good money at this thing. Maybe even enough to start up a real brick and mortar restaurant."

Sutton frowns and searches my eyes. "Is that your dream? A real restaurant?"

I shrug. "I mean, if this thing takes off, it'd be nice to get out of that trailer."

Green clamps a hand on my shoulder. "This is a great opportunity for you, Kyle. I hope everything works out." His eyes shift between Sutton and me, and I get the feeling he's talking about more than just the festival.