Page 15 of Ride with Zane

Dad turns to me, with a quizzical look. “Okay, so what about him?”

Filling my cup, my eyes stay glued on the heavenly nectar, in order to avoid dad's gaze. “Do we really need to talk about him?”

“If he has hurt you, then yes. I need to know whose legs I have to break.”

Laughing out loud I approach him and surround his middle with my arm. “He's okay, dad.” The last thing I need is dad to chase Rock because of me. Figures. He may be the sheriff, but Rock is a biker and we all know things may get messy.

Placing two pancakes on a plate he hands it to me. “Then what?”

Sitting back at the kitchen island, I wait for him to sit too while changing the focus of the conversation. “So tell me, what did you want to talk about?”

“I… I have no idea how to say it.” His shaky voice and nervousness rings a bell in my head.

“Is about a woman.” Not a question. I’m kinda sure he’s dating someone. He’s perfectly shaved, and wears cologne. Nothing is out of place here either. I peer around and my gaze falls on the couch. Pillows? “Oh, and it’s more than a date.” Why has he never mentioned her?

“You know I loved Jill so much.”

“I know, Dad, but,” I sigh, pondering how to say it without messing up. “I'd like you to move on, to be happy again. I missed my old man laughing and being serene. And now you are.” I reach out for his hand. “I'm not saying I'm mad at you. I know mom will always have a place in your heart, and I know she would like to see you happy too. Same goes for me.”

He wipes his tears and strokes my hand.

“Tell me about her.”

“You sure it doesn’t bother you?”

Why shouldn't? If he's happy that what matters. “Of course, we can talk about everything, Dad. No secrets between us.” That’s what he made me promise the first time he caught me crying because of my period cramps. And since then we’ve always talked about everything. Man, I still remember the chat we had about safe sex. He was blushing and I could tell he was feeling uncomfortable as hell. I already knew everything, and I promised myself to give my V card to someone who makes me feel special. To who’d look at me like how dad was looking at mom: like nothing else mattered to him but her. I swallow down the lump in my throat. My promise was thrown out of the window when Rock looked at me like an animal who wanted me.I fucked up big time and the worst part is that I don’t regret it. He made me feel the only thing he wanted.

“Pamela is amazing.” His voice trails me out of my thoughts, and I notice his eyes start to shine. “I have never expected to fall in love with someone else after Jill but with her it was something so easy.”

“Why don’t you call her for lunch?” I smile while biting into a pancake. “Or now? Even though we already had breakfast, I don’t mind some more pancakes.”

His eyes widen. “But it's our day.”

“And? she'll be part of the family sooner or later.”

“You sure you don’t mind?” I shake my head. “Thank you, cupcake.” He approaches to kiss my forehead and seeing Dad happy makes me feel good.

My cell phone buzzes on the counter but seeing another call from Rock I sigh.Why do you keep calling? Leave me alone!

Zane

Calling Ashley seems pointless, she won't pick up my calls. I'm wondering why I keep trying.Because you want her more than you want to admit.

Swirling the keys on my index finger, I get up from the armchair and ride my Dyna to theInferno, one of the strip clubs The Black Panthers owns in Newtok.

I dreamed of Ash, again, while riding with me.Fuck!She’s under my skin and the more I try to push her away the more I want her. Parking the bike, I get off and storm toward the entrance. Brick nods at me as I walk in.

I head to the bar and sink in the stool. “A beer.”

“On it, Prez.”

“Hey, Rock, welcome back. Do you want a show?” one of the strippers asks.

“Maybe later, Kitty.”Or not.I’m not in the mood at all.

“You look so stressed,” she approaches, her leg slides between mine. “let me take care of you.” Her hand on my crotch is something I’m used to. Kitty is one of my go to when I want to fuck but today feels different and her closeness bothers me.

“They want you on the stage.”

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