Page 20 of Brazen Being It

“You sure? You look like you’ve been chewing nails all morning.”

I hesitate, then say, “I’m thinking about bringing someone back with us.”

Toon straightens. “Wait. What?”

I glance back at the motel, my eyes flicking toward her room. “The girl from the other night. Cambria.”

“You serious?”

“She needs an out. And I’m giving it to her.”

Toon whistles low. “Little Foot, I’m your boy, but are you sure this is smart? I mean, you know the club ain’t gonna roll out a welcome mat.”

“They will see. She’s not coming as a stray. She’s coming as my old lady.”

Toon stares like I just spoke another language. “You mean?—?”

I cut him off, “Yeah, I’m saying she’s mine. I introduce her that way, they don’t ask questions. She’s claimed.”

“You know Axel’s gonna flip. He trusts no outsiders.”

“Let him flip. I’m fully patched. I know the rules, I know the deal. She’s mine. They can’t and won’t deny her.”

He shakes his head slowly. “This ain’t about her. This is about you making a move.”

“It’s both. This is me, feeling something other than doubt. This is me trusting my gut.”

Toon studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Alright. You sure about her?”

“I’m not sure about anything. But I’m not leaving her in that hellhole.”

He sighs, grabs his pack. “Well, shit. Let’s hope she’s as tough as you think.”

Back at her door, I knock again. Nervous energy consumes me. Will she take a risk on me?

This time when Cambria opens the door, she already has her bag packed.

I blink. “You knew I was coming back.”

She shrugs. “You don’t strike me as a liar.”

“I’m a lot of things, a liar isn’t one of them,” I smile. “You ready?”

“I don’t know.” She glances at her mom—still passed out—and for a second, I see the war in her eyes. Guilt. Fear. Hope. All crashing into each other.

“You talk to your mom?”

She nods, “She told me not to come back,” she says quietly. “Said this life’s gonna eat me alive if I stay.”

“Then don’t stay.”

“I don’t know anything but this.”

“You like this life? You feel safe, comfortable?”

She shakes her head. “Momma said this is my only chance, don’t let her down. Make a life for myself like she never had.” She lifts her bag onto her shoulder taking a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

I get her bag loaded and she climbs into the rig, tucking herself into the sleeper area. We don’t speak much on the road. We don’t have to.

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