Page 41 of Throttle

No, you fucking idiot.

With a drop of my arms, I retreat. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I'm left with an unfamiliar emotion in my chest as she drives off. An aching, a longing, and dammit, I need it as much as the air I breathe.

Leave, dude. Never go there. I walk away as usual.

FOURTEEN

Tequila

“Mom, please don’t. My schedule is full, and I don't want you all to come for no reason. Like I mentioned before, I am committed to being there for Christmas, I promise.”

“It’s already settled. Your father and I are coming, and we hope your brother will join us, but who knows what he’ll be up to?”

It's typical of my mom to do this. She's been relentlessly asking me to visit for a while, and of course I miss them, but how can I hide my life from them now?

The cushion engulfs me as I sink deeper into the couch. “Mom. Please, it’s not a good time—”

“It never is. This saves you from having to make time. We will come to you. Consider it a pre-Thanksgiving celebration, and I won't accept any excuses, young lady. We’ll see you soon. Love you. Bye!”

Just as I'm about to protest again, the other line goes dead.

An early Thanksgiving? It's not even Halloween yet.

“You okay, dear? Why the long face and sad eyes?” Maggie walks into the back of the club carrying two glasses of red wine and my mouth waters from here.

“I hope one of those is for me.”

She chuckles. “It is now. I planned to deliver it to Chain, but he'd prefer if his secret love for wine remained unknown. The gigantic brute has a reputation to keep.” She holds out a glass for me. “He is tough, big, and sometimes a tad intimidating. But underneath that muscle is a softie who likes to sip Chianti.”

“His secret is safe with me.” I pretend to zip my lips and throw away the imaginary key.

I’m glad she’s here. My body is less tense by her nurturing presence.

Maggie’s shoulders rise, then fall. “When we met, it was instant fireworks. Water went everywhere when the sink in my apartment burst, and I couldn't stop it. In a hurry, I reached for the phone book and dialed the first plumber's name I came across.”

I snorted. “Wait. Chain was a plumber?” While being a plumber is not a bad thing, I always imagined him as a tough biker. Hard to picture him as someone else.

“Hey now, remember, we met young. Younger than you. Regardless, I called him in a state of panic, claiming it was urgent.” Her cheeks turn pink. “And I’ll never forget when he showed up at my door, how unbelievably handsome he was. He was just as big, with dark hair resembling the night sky. He was the same grump though, and I somehow couldn’t resist.”

I smile. “Then what happened?”

“He fixed my sink.” She wiggles her brows while taking a sip of her red. “And it was history from there. Been by his side since. I was there for him when he started the club. Still love him with all my heart.”

“Did you both ever want kids?” That may have been too personal to ask.

“It wasn't meant to be. I couldn’t get pregnant.” Her eyes soften before widening back to normal.

I was unaware of the reason. I always thought it was what they wanted. My chest aches for her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. Besides, we have you guys to keep us young. You’re the children we never had. This club is the only family we need.”

I bite my lip to suppress the tears.

“Well, I didn't mean for this to be so deep. Good Lord. So, is there anything you’d like to get off your chest?”

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