Chapter 3 - Holly

I can hardly believe what just happened. This big, burly biker—all rough edges and a hard-bitten attitude—actually took a moment to try to set my son straight. And even more shockingly, Jayden seemed to really listen to him.

After years of feeling like my words just go in one ear and out the other with that boy, it's almost overwhelming to see a complete stranger get through to him so easily. I make a mental note to thank Chance again properly when I get the chance.

Speaking of the rugged biker, I can't help my gaze from lingering on him a second too long as I prepare to leave. Up close, I'm struck by just how broad and powerfully built he is, like a grizzly bear stuffed into a leather vest. I find myself idly wondering what those big, calloused hands would feel like on my bare skin...

I give my head a little shake, flushing at the thought.

Take a deep breath, Holly. This man is clearly way out of your league, not to mention maybe 10 years older. I'm just grateful for his intervention, nothing more.

"Thank you again," I tell Chance sincerely, meeting his piercing stare briefly before turning away. I grab Jayden's arm, not missing the way he flinches a little at my touch. "C'mon, let's go."

We start making our way across the bar, and I can feel the weight of dozens of eyes on us, bikers pausing in their games and hushed conversations to gawk openly. No one moves to stop or harass us further, though, not with Chance standing watch like a sentry.

As we reach the exit, I risk one final glance back over my shoulder at Chance. He's still standing there, arms folded across his broad chest, watching us with an icy stare.

Our eyes meet briefly, and I quickly look away, giving him a small nod of gratitude before ushering Jayden out the door.

The cool night air is a relief after the stuffy, smoke-filled bar. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly as the rumbling sounds of bikes and rock music fade behind us. Jayden stuffs his hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched, clearly waiting for the lecture he assumes is coming.

Instead, I stop and turn to face him, taking in his sullen teenage pout.

"You know, you're lucky Chance stepped in when he did," I say quietly. "Those men could have really hurt you, Jayden. Maybe worse."

He scuffs the toe of his shoe against the cracked pavement, not meeting my eyes. "Yeah...I know. I'm sorry, Mom."

There's a long pause as I study my son's downturned face. As angry and worried as I was, seeing him actually take that man's advice to heart drained a lot of the fight out of me.

With a resigned sigh, I pull Jayden into a tight hug. He stiffens at first, then melts into my embrace, squeezing me back tightly.

"I'm just glad you're okay, baby," I murmur, stroking his shaggy hair. "That's all that matters now. We'll get through this...together."

Jayden clings to me, his thin frame shaking with drunken sobs.

"I'm s-so sorry, Mom," he hiccups into my shoulder. "I was just so dumb to believe they actually wanted to be my friends. I j-just wanted to feel accepted and part of something for once."

My heart clenches at the pain and desperation in his voice. Pulling back, I cup his face in my hands and look him square in the eyes, brushing away his tears with my thumbs.

"Oh, baby, you can be a part of so many great groups and activities at school - sports teams, clubs, anything your heart desires. Why would you ever choose something so dangerous and outside the law?"

Jayden's gaze drops, his brow furrowing.

"I...I know Dad was a biker too," he mumbles, so quietly I almost don't catch it. "I thought maybe if I gave this life a try, I could feel closer to him somehow. Figure out if it was even worth him leaving us for it."

I just stand there, stunned, as a hundred different emotions run through me - anger, sadness, disbelief. After all these years, the ghost of that deadbeat sperm donor is still haunting my son.

Gritting my teeth, I pull Jayden back into a bone-crushing hug.

"Don't you ever think that way again, you hear me?" I say fiercely. "Your father was nothing but a dumb, selfish idiot who never cared about anyone but himself. This life he chose over us - it's not worth a single tear."

Jayden doesn't respond; he just buries his face in my shoulder as I rub soothing circles across his back. I'll hold him here as long as it takes to chase his father's demon away for good.

As we stand there hugging, a few more bikers stumble out of the bar, their laughter and chatter cutting through the night. They pause when they spot us, sniggering and making not-so-kind gestures. A couple of them even start moving towards us.

But then, one of them seems to recognize us. He mutters something to the others, and just like that, they back off, leaving us with disdainful looks and shakes of their heads.

Whoever Chance is, his word seems to carry a lot of weight around here. Either that or, after watching him absolutely demolish those two thugs, no one else feels brave enough to be the next punching bag.

Jayden lifts his face from my shoulder, red-rimmed eyes following their retreat wearily.

"We should go, Mom," he mumbles.

I nod, giving him a gentle smile as I ruffle his hair again. "Okay, baby."

I lead us towards my battered old sedan parked in the dimly lit lot. As we walk, my mind keeps drifting back to Chance, the way he charged in and protected us without a second thought.

He could have just as easily thrown us out himself when the trouble started. Goodness knows he had no obligation to get involved in our mess. But he did, putting himself in harm's way against those two bruisers, all for me and my son.

Part of me wonders if it was simply about keeping the peace in his bar. The other part, the hopelessly romantic part, can't help but imagine it was like something out of a fairy tale.

The dashing, rugged knight arriving just in the nick of time to save the damsel and her child from the big bad bullies. Sure, he may be rough around the edges and clad in well-worn leather instead of shining armor...but he was still my hero tonight.

I shake my head at the ridiculous notion as we reach the car. Chance is likely already putting the whole episode out of his mind.

Still, I can't quite suppress the little thrill that goes through me at the memory of his piercing gaze locked on mine. Those eyes seemed to stare straight through to my soul.