Page 29 of Journey

I look in the rearview mirror and see the club’s minivan parked behind us. Don’t judge… A minivan allows us to surveil places where we’d otherwise stick out like a sore thumb.

Now that Screamer and Python are here, our shift is over. We fill them in on what we’ve observed, which admittedly is jack squat, before I turn on the Jeep’s ignition and start to drive back to the clubhouse.

“What’re you up to the rest of the day?” Ghost asks after a few minutes.

“I’ve gotta run an errand in Austin,” I reply cryptically.

“Would this errand have anything to do with Wren?”

“And if it does?”

He lifts his hands in mock surrender. “No judgment here, bro. Just a question.”

Heaving a sigh, I nod. “Yeah, it’s got something to do with her.”

“You’re really gaga over her, aren’t you?”

“Gaga?”

“You know what I mean.” He chuckles. “Crow hit the nail on the head when he said things were gonna get interesting.”

“I take it you’d handle things differently,” I comment.

Surprisingly, I reallyaminterested in his response. I value the opinions of my brothers above pretty much anyone else in the world, and maybe I need a little reassurance that I’m not as crazy as people think Wren is.

Ghost shrugs. “Don’t know. I mean, my mom has Alzheimer’s, and I guess that could be similar to Wren’s disorder, but then again, there’s really no comparison.”

“Thanks. You’re a big help,” I mutter.

“Look, my mom is my mom, ya know? I’d do anything for her. Hell, I did by coming back to this town to take care of her. But a mom is different from an old lady. I’d like to think I’m the kinda guy who wouldn’t give two shits about what issues the love of my life is dealing with, but I haven’t been put in that position yet.”

“Love of my life?” I repeat. “How’d we get to that?”

“Face it, Journey. You claimed her. You love her. Lord fucking knows why because you really do barely know her, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Sometimes, you just have to run with it and pray to all that’s holy that you don’t get sliced to pieces in the process.”

“Damn, G.” I whistle. “When did you get so wise?”

Pain crosses his features, but he quickly masks it. There’s a story there, I’m sure of it, but I won’t press. When he transferred from the Oregon chapter, Crow made it clear that Ghost would talk when he was ready, and we weren’t to push. Pres said he’s loyal to a fault and lives for the club, and that’s all I need to know.

“So, what are ya gonna do in Austin?” he asks, returning to the original subject.

Having reached the clubhouse, I put the vehicle in park but make no move to get out.

“Wren’s therapist is based there,” I say.

“No,” he breathes.

“What?”

“You can’t go to her therapist.”

“Why?”

“Confidentiality, for one.” Ghost narrows his eyes at me. “And for two, that’s crossing a major line.”

“Bro, I’ve gotta do something. Wren’s avoiding me like the plague. I’ve tried to call and text, and I’ve gone to her apartment a few times, and I’m getting nowhere. Maybe Dr. Young can help shed light on a way in.”

“And if Wren finds out?”

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