Page 2 of Everlasting Love

“Busy.” He fidgets with his spoon. “I’ll need to bring on one or two more guys.”

“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” I take a sip of the steamy goodness in my cup. “You deserve all the success, man.” He’s worked damn hard to get his business off the ground. Sometimes I wonder where he finds the time with a family at home.

“Thanks.” He smirks. “How are things with the rock star?” He wanted me to work for him, but I couldn’t refuse my childhood best friend when he asked me to be his bodyguard after a mentally unstable woman inserted herself into his life.

I huff out a laugh. “Living the high life. He’s doing a Labor Day concert tonight with a seven-year-old who conned him into giving her guitar lessons.”

Nix’s eyes widen. “How the fuck did that happen?” He takes a sip of his coffee.

I shake my head as I snicker. “I have no clue, but she’s a sweet kid and working with her has been great for him.” I spin my spoon between my fingers. “He met her when he volunteered atMusic for my Heart, the music and dance school for deaf and hard of hearing kids.” He nods. Most people around here know of the new center run by the husband and wife team, Louis and Xanthe. “She’s profoundly deaf but determined to learn how to play the guitar. He’s been impressed by her commitment and dedication.” If I’m honest, getting to know her has been pretty great for me, too. Poppy has a way about her that draws you into her orbit, and it’s an awesome place to be. “The concert will be something to see.”

“Sounds like it’ll be a great night.” He shifts in his seat and takes another sip of his coffee.

I nod. I’m surprised I’m actually looking forward to it. “Do you know if the bikes are ready for delivery?”

“No idea. I haven’t been here long myself.” He glances away, then returns his focus to me. “Have you seen Hope and Evan lately?”

My chest tightens at the mention of their names, and I have to consciously take a breath. I nod slowly. “Yeah. I see them regularly. I’ve been helping to coach Evan’s soccer team every second week when their regular coach can’t make it, and I do what I can to help Hope when she needs something done around the house.” My stomach clenches when I think about everything they’ve lost. The moments they’ll never have with Wyatt, our army buddy.

He studies my face closely. “I’d be happy to help, too.”

I shrug. “I know. But you have your own family and a business to look after. I don’t have anyone.” I swallow the lump that always forms in my throat at the reminder.

Turning to lighter topics, we catch up while we drink our coffee, then make our way out to the workshop. When we walk inside, one of the guys is busy working on a bike. I unlock the caged shelving and add my paint to the rest of the cans. I always bring a few cans with me to bolster the collection of paint for the bikes we restore for underprivileged kids.

“Hey, Michaels,” I call.

He tips his chin toward me and Nix. “Hey.”

“How are things?” Nix asks.

Robert stops attaching the pedal of the bike he’s working on. “Not bad. We’re running a little behind schedule with the bikes for theMission Community Center.” He tips his chin toward a couple of tubs of parts that look as though they’ve already been painted.

I was worried that would be the case. “I have a couple of spare hours today. Tell me what needs to be done.” I rub my hands together, ready to get them dirty.

Robert points back to the tubs behind him. “Those bikes are ready to be reassembled.”

Nodding, I step closer to the tubs. “No problem. Steele, you wanna get started on that one, and I’ll do this one.”

We get to work assembling the bikes while we listen to classic rock, and before I know it, the two bikes are completed and added to the collection. Looking at our handiwork, I take note of the range of colors, sizes, and styles of bikes that families no longer wanted or needed. Each one has been rescued from the landfill and lovingly restored to its former glory—ready for a new owner who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to own a bike. These bikes may make a child happy or they may provide transportation for someone to get to and from work. We don’t discriminate against whom we gift these restored bikes. If they need a bike, they get one. It’s as simple as that.

“Thanks, guys. Akerman will load them onto the trailer when he gets here, and we’ll take them to the community center tomorrow.”

“No problem.” We shake hands and say our goodbyes.

I walk out of the building with a pep in my step. I always leave here feeling better than I did when I entered. It’s amazing how a couple of hours of doing manual work that will help someone else can clear the mind and cleanse the soul.

Toby and Poppywalk off stage together with matching grins, and I can tell from here that my best friend is floating among the clouds. I’ve watched him play in packed stadiums to tensof thousands of fans, and not once have I seen him so at peace and full of pride. Toby’s parents, his twin sister Kate and her husband, Oliver, step out of the auditorium and walk toward us. Hugs are given freely to Toby and Poppy as their excitement bubbles over.

I do my best to stay on the periphery to watch over everyone, but Toby’s mom wraps her arms around me and pulls me in tight. When she steps back, she cups my cheek and her eyes soften, making the muscle in my chest miss a beat. She always makes it a point to check in with me, especially since I came home. “How are you?”

“I’m good, Mrs. S.” It’s my standard response.

Creases form between her brows while her blue eyes, exactly like her son’s, scan my face. I work to keep my features relaxed and neutral—I don’t want to worry her. She doesn’t need to know I’m on high alert and my adrenaline’s swirling through my system like a tornado as more and more people crowd into the foyer. I’m itching to step back from the family so I can keep my view clear and observe from the sidelines. Toby would say that I can relax at an event like this but I can never be too careful with my best friend and his family’s safety. Time away taught me to expect the unexpected. Eventually, she must see what she needs to see and nods as she releases me from her motherly hold.

Toby’s parents have always welcomed me into their home and family as if I were one of their kids. I remember being astounded by their openness toward me—particularly Mr. Summer, because from the time my father returned from service, he was never what I would call aloving father. Their warmth and love were always given freely even though I wasn’t theirs. The lines often became blurred for me, and there were times when I considered them parents; more so than my own. Their love for me has always been unconditional, which was something I didn’t have at home—well, not from my fatheranyway. It was such a foreign concept for me, but the more time I spent with the Summer family, the more accustomed I grew to the way their family worked. I would find any excuse to spend time at their home to escape mine because I felt more comfortable with them. They accepted me. It was as simple and as complicated as that.

Poppy takes off across the foyer, and I snap my head around to keep her in my sight. It’s easy enough to do when you’re a full head taller than the majority of people in the room. That little girl has stolen my best friend’s heart, and as a result of how important she is to him, I’ve now included her under my protection. I watch her fling herself at a woman, and confusion swamps me for a moment until my mind catches up to what I’m seeing. Cassia, my best friend’s high school crush, stands with Poppy in her arms, her face full of happiness and pride.

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