Page 56 of Watercolor Skulls

I shake my head no.

“You’re wrong,” he whispers, turning me over so he can stare down at me. “He did hurt you. By hurting them, he hurt you.” He closes his eyes and when he opens them I see how much he hurts for me. So much pain…will it ever end?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lily

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JD seemed surprised that I called. I need something to take my mind off things. “So, this is my tailgate section.” He points to a piece of land lined with tailgate after tailgate. All types, colors, and condition.

“Wow.” I glance around the junkyard. Everything is so organized. Not what I expected a junkyard to be.

“See anything you like?”

I step between them, looking for the perfect one. When I find a gold Ford tailgate I point to it, jumping up and down. “This is it!” I exclaim.

He laughs and helps me carry it up to the front. As we are walking I notice some cool gear looking thingies. We set the tailgate down and I ask him, “What are those?” I point to the box filled with them.

“Sprockets. They go on motorcycles.” He walks over and picks one up. “They turn the chain.”

“I love them,” I say, running my finger over the cold metal.

He laughs. “You’re a strange girl.”

I smile up at him.

“I mean that in a good way,” he adds quickly.

As I stare at the sprockets an idea comes to mind. “Hey, Dan told me there is an auction this weekend, after the run. He asked me to paint a picture and donate it, but I think I have a better idea. Do you know anything about electricity?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

“Enough to not get myself zapped. Let’s hear this idea.”

I tell him my idea and we set to work. “These are so fucking cool, Lily. I might even bid on them myself.”

“Why? We can always make more,” I tell him, wiping my brow with the back of my hand.

He stops what he is doing to stare at me. “Yeah, we could, couldn’t we?” J.D. smiles shyly, turning his ballcap on backwards. He dips his head and gets back to work. He glances at me from time to time, like he can’t believe I’m really working beside him.

The rest of the week flies by. The excitement of the run not only pulsing through my veins but through the entire club. I’ve gotten to know a few of them as they come into the bar for a drink or to grab a burger. I tell you Mama Bear makes the best burgers I’ve ever had.

I bet I’ve gained fifteen pounds since coming here. Dan seems to appreciate it. He comes every night to make sure I get home safely. Sometimes he stays with me, other times he walks me to the door and kisses me goodnight.

We both struggle on those nights. I hate being away from him and I know he feels the same. It’s only been a few weeks, but I feel like I’ve lived here my entire life. I never want to leave and if I had it my way, Dan would be in my bed every single night.

Jesse knocks on my door early the morning of the run. “Hey, Jesse, what are you doing here?” I wave to Dirk who is sitting on his bike smoking a cigarette.

“I wanted to bring this by.” She drops a leather jacket in my hands.

My fingers curl around the soft leather. “Jesse,” I whisper. I don’t know much about the biker culture but I’m sure this must be a great honor.

“JD brought over the sprocket lamps you guys made. He was gushing, Lily. JD doesn’t gush.”

I laugh lightly. “He was pretty proud of them.”

“They are perfect. I’m sure they’ll bring a pretty penny. Bikers love that kind of shit,” she says, looking over her shoulder at Dirk before turning her eyes back to me. “Anyhow, you’re part of this club and you deserve it.”

“Oh, Jesse. I don’t even know where I would fit into the club. I’m honored but…” she cuts me off.

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