Page 2 of Locke

I take a deep breath as mom presses the button on the intercom. I hear a voice I don’t recognize, and my heart thunders in my chest.

“I’m here for Gunner. It’s Val.” The man opens the gates, and my mom pulls the car through. I fidget with my hands in my lap when she cuts her eyes at me.

“I don’t know why you’re so nervous.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“And? Stop acting like a child,” she snaps at me. I ignore her as usual and watch the gravel in front of me until the clubhouse comes into view. That’s when I see Gunner and Hodge. They’re waiting outside for me.

The smile on my face couldn’t get any bigger and as the car comes to a stop, I leap out and rush toward them. I throw myself into Gunner’s arms and he wraps his around me tightly.

“Missed you, Darlin’. Missed you somethin’ bad.”

“I missed you too, Dad.”

“God, I’m so glad to hear you call me that. Let me look at you,” he says as he pulls back and takes me in. He smiles and shakes his head before pulling me back into his arms.

“You look good. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I am. I’m just glad to be back here,” I tell him truthfully.

“I’m glad you’re back too.”

“What about me?” I hear Hodge ask. I laugh and pull away from Gunner before Hodge pulls me into his arms.

“Missed you, Sis. Been way too long.”

“I’ve missed you so much, Hodge.” Tears I’d been holding back begin to leak down my cheeks when he pulls back and reaches up to wipe them away.

“Everything’s good now. You’re home.”

“I’m home.”

“Val.” I hear Gunner call my mom’s name and turn to look at the two of them.

“Nice to see you, Gunner.”

“You too. You’re lookin’ good.”

“Don’t try flattery. It doesn’t work with me.”

“Fine. You look like shit. Still hittin’ that pipe?”

“You still doing illegal shit?” she asks in response.

“Every day, darlin’. Every damn day.”

“Yeah, well, I need to go. Come get her shit,” she tells him before looking over at me briefly. Gunner chuckles and walks toward the car, grabbing my bags out of the back before setting them on the ground and watching her climb back in.

“She’s not changed a bit,” Hodge says.

“Not at all. She made sure to tell me how wrong I was to come here and not stay with her.”

“Who the hell would want to stay with her? She’s a fuckin’ train wreck.”

“Exactly. God, I’ve missed you,” I tell him once more. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his side.

“I missed you too. Things are only gonna get better for you now.”

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