Page 37 of Cocky Secrets

I sigh, “I’m sorry, Mom, but I need solutions. Not more telling me about the problem. What if…” I move to sitting on my calves, feet tucked. “What if Bear was the kind who looked away, like our doctor? We told him what The Ciphers do and he still comes and cares for us when there are bullet and knife wounds, no questions asked! What if Bear could be like that!”

“The chances are slim, Sage. And a doctor isn’t attached to the law in the way a police officer is. They vowed to uphold it.”

“I know,” I slump.

“Do you think he’s a good cop?”

“Viola said he was.”

“Do you trust Vi?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then he might not be a look-the-other-way type. And what would happen then, if you told him what The Ciphers do, asking him to look the other way, and he decided not to? Do you want to put the entire club, and all of its members, your family, in jeopardy? I can only imagine the investigations that could possibly ensue. Not to mention the inability to accept new missions. Where would that leave the future innocents that need their help?”

Staring at Mom I take all of this in, knowing there is only one way for me to be with Bear, so I vow, “I’ll never tell him.”

“Sage…”

“If I find a way for us to be together, I’ll never tell him what The Ciphers do. Right now, he believes they just ride bikes and go to bars, and that’s all he everneedsto believe.”

Mom exhales through her nose, watching me. “I’m not sure you’ll have the chance…”

The sound of a large vehicle approaching jolts Mom and I from the bed. We rush to the glass, and I press my forehead against the cool surface to get a better view. My heart leaps as I recognize the truck. It’s Bear.

I can hardly breathe as I watch him step out, his tall frame silhouetted against the fading sunlight. I haven’t seen him in a week, and the ache of his absence has settled deep in my bones. As he walks toward our front door, a flutter of hope dances in my chest. Maybe today is the day things will change.

But just as he approaches the base of our stairs, I hear the unmistakable sound of voices—rough and low, filled with authority. My stomach drops. The Ciphers. Though we can’t see them from here, because of the awning, they’re on the front porch, and I know instantly they won’t allow him in.

“It’s him!” I tell Mom, and dash out of my bedroom, with her right behind me.

Tonk Sr. and Scythe are blocking the front door. “Sorry Sage. No.”

I let out an exasperated cry and race into the sitting room, peeking through the tattered curtains. Sure enough, a barricade of club members stand on the porch, blocking the door, arms crossed. Dad, Jett, Sofia Sol, Celia, Sean, Luke and Atlas. I can see Bear’s frustration building; his brow furrows as he talks to them, gesturing toward the house. I wish I could hear what he’s saying.

A lump forms in my throat as I watch the scene unfold. He looks so determined, but The Ciphers are immovable, their loyalty to their decision unwavering. I want to scream, to burst through the window and tell them to let him in, but I know it wouldn’t change anything.

“Mom,” I whisper with longing.

“I’m so sorry, Sage,” she whispers back, watching them with me.

Bear’s shoulders slump slightly, and I feel my heart shatter at the sight. I wish I could reach him, to let him know I’m here, that I want to see him just as much as he wants to see me.

After a moment, one of the club members shakes his head, and I can see Bear’s expression change — disappointment etched across his features. It has a look of permanence to it! He turns away from the door, hands shoved deep into his pockets as he turns back for his truck.

A wave of desperation crashes into me. I can’t let him leave without trying to reach him. “Mom, don’t try and stop me!” I dart toward the back door, hoping to catch him before he drives away. Through the kitchen I run, and past Melody, Denita, Shay and Mylar, who are watching TV in the connected living room and clearly don’t know what’s going on.

Denita calls after me, “What caught you on fire, Sage?”

Her husband, Scythe, and the others must not have told them to watch the back door, because nobody stops me when I fling it open, cool evening breeze rushing past me as I sprint outside and race around the house. “Bear!” I call out, my voice barely carrying over the distance. “Bear! BEAR!”

As I turn the corner, The Ciphers shift their stances in surprise. Dad shouts, “Sage, back inside! Tonk! Scythe! Open the door!” The front door opens on command and they join the others.

Bear stops at his truck, turning on his heel, and his eyes light up as they meet mine. “Sage!”

I rush to him, “Bear!” heart pounding in my chest as I glance up at The Ciphers. My generation of them is watching me with, what, Sympathy? Pity? But I don’t care. All that matters is Bear. “What are you doing here?” I ask, breathless.

“I came to take you out,” he replies, a relieved-to-see-me smile breaking through the tension. “It’s been too long. I was waiting to hear from you and when nothing happened, I thought I’d come here. Tell them I’d like to take you somewhere nice. Ask permission if I needed to.”

---