Page 21 of Frosty the Biker

When he pulled the sheaf of folded papers out, he started reading out loud. The first page was all basic legalese until he paused, and his brows pulled down in the center. He read silently, quickly going from one page to the next.

“What is it?” I asked, but he was too engrossed in whatever he was reading.

When he got to the last pages, he fell back against the wall and slid down until he was seated on the floor. Through it all, he didn’t speak.

“Dalton?”

Still, he just stared.

“Hands where I can see them!”

I shrieked and my hands flew up above my head, my helmet with them, just as we were blinded by a very bright flashlight.

“Do you understand that you are trespassing?” the officer asked.

“I’ve never even had a speeding ticket!” I blurted out and the police officer lowered the flashlight to give me a droll stare. I winced and shrugged.

“No we’re not,” Dalton finally denied, his voice still full of disbelief. He held up the papers. “This is my house.”

“What?” I practically screeched.

“MuddyWater” —10Talents

After showing the officer my driver’s license, the keys, and the will, he handed everything back. “Maybe don’t go looking at your new house at eleven o’clock at night next time and your neighbors won’t call the cops on you. Also, I would suggest you go see this attorney to make sure everything is legit and filed properly.”

We shook hands and he and his partner left.

“Y-Y-Your house?” Ryian stuttered.

“Yeah,” I drawled out in disbelief.

“Jesus. And I thought my day was crazy. What the hell is going on in the universe today?” she mumbled with a hand on her head as if she was trying to keep it from flying away or exploding.

“Babe, I don’t know,” I replied in wonder.

At her soft gasp, I realized what I said, and I looked at her in apology. “I’m sorry, that slipped out. I—”

“It’s okay,” she gently replied as her gaze drifted off to an invisible point in the distance.

My heart stuttered.It’s okay? What does that mean?

Before I could ask, she cleared her throat and glanced at her watch. “I probably should be getting back. Mom has Anson.”

We both froze at the mention of our son.

She seemed momentarily uncomfortable, and my heart dropped into my ass.Please, don’t let her have changed her mind about me seeing him.

“Umm, if you don’t have anything going on tomorrow….” She trailed off.

“Shit. I’m sorry, I do. I start my new job tomorrow and I already have clients booked, but I can see if it’s possible to reschedule them.” I’d be tempted to cancel each and every one if it meant I could see my son, though.

“Clients?” She tipped her head in curiosity.

“I’m a tattoo artist now.” I shrugged and rubbed the back of my neck.

Her hazel eyes practically popped. “A… tattoo artist?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” I moved my hand around to scratch my jaw. Was she judging me? She was a nurse and while I may not have gone to school like she did, I did well for myself.

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