Page 2 of Jack

“Oh, man.” Bobby’s mouth drops open when he sees the logo.

Pip gives a long whistle.

“Harry, if you ever need Coty and me, contact the Viking Warriors MC in Willow Creek.”

“You’re James Mcleod’s grandson.” Harry stares at me in awe.

I nod. Coty grins. Yeah, my grandfather is well known.

“Are you Jacob’s or Jason’s son?” Pip asks.

I turn to face him. “Jacob’s. You guys are welcome to come with us.”

“Thanks for the offer.” Bobby sticks his hand out. I gladly take it. “The three of us have family in North Carolina. We’re gonna head home, too.”

“If you ever need us, just call.” I make him the same offer.

The three men shake our hands, get on their bikes, and ride away into the night. It’s kind of sad to see them go. I have a feeling it’s not the last we’ll see of them, though. I have their numbers. We’ll stay in touch.

“You guys sure you don’t want to stay the night and leave in the morning?” Harry asks.

“Nah, man.” I climb on my bike and reach for my helmet. “We’ll put a couple of hours behind us and get a room somewhere for the night.”

“Sorry, bout your uncle.” Harry drops his head. “And your sister.” The last part was spoken so low. I'd have missed it if I didn’t know it was coming.

“Yeah.” My eyes meet Coty’s. He drops his head and looks away.

My Uncle Jason died when I was ten. The cops said it was an accident. My family’s not so sure. Losing Uncle Jason almost destroyed my family. His son, Jay, and I are more like brothers than cousins. We were born two weeks apart. We were inseparable until I left two years ago. Jay wanted to go with us, but he refused to leave his mom. And my sister? We’re not talking about my sister.

“Can’t believe we’ve had biker royalty with us all this time.” Harry chuckles and shakes his head.

“I don’t know about that.” I’ve never liked being called royalty. Yeah, my grandfather is one of the founding members of the Viking Warriors and the first President.

“Well, check in once you get there.” Harry holds up his fist.

“Will do.” I bump his fist with mine and watch as he walks back inside.

“We gonna call our families?” Coty grabs his helmet.

I nod. “We’ll ride a bit, get a room, and call them in the morning.”

Just thinking of my family has me homesick. We'd ride through the night if Willow Creek weren’t four hundred miles away. I can’t wait to see everyone. Coty and I didn’t leave on bad terms. We call home a couple of times a week. Our families and the entire club will happily welcome us home. My grandmother and our moms may have even begged us to return a few times. Yeah, they actually did.

“Maybe your sisters will be there when we pull up.” Coty grins as he slides his helmet on.

I reach over and punch his arm hard. “Don’t touch my sisters.”

He laughs and starts his bike. I have two sisters, one older and one younger. Coty won’t touch either of them. They’re like sisters to him. His little sister is best friends with my little sister. Besides, Coty has his eye on someone else. Well, he did before we left. Hopefully, she hasn’t wandered off and gotten involved with anyone. If Kayla had given him the time of day two years ago and asked him to stay, Coty never would have left Willow Creek. Without him, I doubt I would have left either.

“We’re really going home.” Coty’s voice has a hint of excitement and unbelief, as if he never thought we’d do it.

“Yeah.” The ties of home are pulling on my chest tonight.

Coty extends his left arm with his hand in a fist. “Till Valhalla.” His excitement overtakes his unbelief.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard those words. Yep. Home’s calling.

I extend my arm and bump fists with him. “Till Valhalla.” I’m ready to get out of here. “Let’s ride.”

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