Page 58 of Hope's Heartlands

He leans forward, looking through the front windshield. "What's this?"

I take the keys out of the ignition. "The party's here."

His mouth falls open. "This is a biker's club."

I start to laugh. "Yeah, my father ... Well, technically stepfather is a member. It's not a big deal. They're really cool. You'll love them."

I get out of the car a lot quicker than he does. He seems a little stumped by the whole idea of going to a party at a biker bar. He walks towards me, flexing his hands in front of him. "So the boy, you know, I'm supposed to be a buffer for, he a member of this gang?"

I roll my eyes at him. "Club. They're a club, not a gang. And yeah, he's a member. But I promise you, it's not a big deal. He avoids me, so it won't be an issue. I just don't want him to think I'm still hung up on him, you know?"

He looks at me skeptically. "But you are still hung up on him."

I avoid answering him and instead take the few steps up onto the front porch of the Ride or Die bar. "You ready?" I ask him over my shoulder.

Carson seems to take a big deep breath and lets it out. He follows behind me. "I swear, Emma, I don't know about this stuff that you get me into."

I laugh and put my hand on his shoulder to calm him. "It's going to be fine, I promise."

He opens the door and music is glaring from the jukebox. His eyes get even bigger in his face but he holds his hand out for me to go on through in front of him.

I squeeze his shoulder. "Promise you're going to have a good time," I tell him before walking through the door.

Chapter6

Maddox

Isee the very second that Emma pulls into the parking lot of the Ride or Die with her friend the college boy. I'm cleaning up over at the Heartland's Garage but I’ve kept my eye out the big bay doors, waiting for her to pull into the gravel lot. For hours now it sounded like a party had already started, but I stayed here to get work done on some things, but mostly because I don't trust myself to drink and handle this right. I definitely don’t want to get drunk and fuck this all up.

Ever since Bull walked out of here a few hours ago, I've been a mess trying to figure out what I'm going to say or do. After the way I treated her years ago, I don’t deserve to have a claim on her and I shouldn’t expect her to stay single, but I’m still hurt by the fact that she’s with another man.

I don’t deserve her loyalty, but seeing her walk into the bar, her hand on the boy's shoulder, goes all through me. I finish drying my hands and lock up the garage before walking across the parking lot to the Ride or Die.

I take a deep breath as I open the big double doors. Once inside, I see Emma immediately. She's being passed around to all of the bikers. They're all hooting and hollering, hugging and kissing her. It's obvious that everyone at the club has missed her. College boy is standing to the side, taking in the rowdy bunch. He definitely stands out among this crowd. He's dressed in khakis and loafers. While Emma is preoccupied, I walk over to the frat boy and stop next to him.

I'm a few inches taller than him and I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. "Who the fuck are you?" I ask him gruffly.

He blinks up at me, "I'm Carson."

I'm glaring at him when Emma comes over. "Hey Maddox," she says. She sounds surprised and I can't say that I blame her. I've went out of my way to avoid her every time she's ever come home, so I know that she didn't expect me to be here tonight. But avoiding her is over with. She's about to graduate. I've stood to the side as long as I plan to.

I turn away from college boy and take her in. She has a short dress on with boots. Her hair is long and in curls down her back. She looks beautiful, even more pretty than I remembered.

I open my arms wide. When she just stands there, staring at me, I ask her. "What, no hug for me?"

It's plain on her face that she wants to say no to me, but she has to know that by doing so, she would cause a scene. She's hugged every biker in here. She nods her head and takes a step towards me. As soon as she gets within reach, I put both of my hands around her waist and pull her against me. She's holding herself tightly, not wanting to hug me, obviously, but that doesn't phase me. Because the feel of her in my arms is heaven. I breathe her in, holding her tight, pinning her body to mine.

I'm almost breathless when I say into her ear, "welcome home, honey." And then I can't resist, but to kiss her on her earlobe. She almost seems to melt against me, but just as soon as I think she is, her back straightens and she steps away from me. "Thanks, Maddox."

She turns and quickly walks away from me, across the room to where her mother is. My eyes follow her and I know that I won't let her out of my sight again.

Chapter7

Emma

Isneak away from the party. As soon as I get into the bathroom, I lock the door behind me and then put my hands on the counter by the sink. I stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are wide and I look like I'm on the verge of losing it. The truth is, I am. It's been a good party. It's been great seeing everyone, but no matter where I turned, Maddox is somewhere close, watching me with his arms crossed over his chest. It seems like he can't take his eyes off of me. I feel them burn into me everywhere I go.

I lean over and turn on the cold water, splashing some of it up on my face. I grab some paper towels and blot my face dry, trying to cool myself off. I need to get out of here.

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