Page 5 of Outcast
I chuckled. “So, what’s this plan, then?”
“Depends. You still know your way around a bike repair?”
“It’s been years since I did anything professionally, but yeah. I fixed up the V-Rod I got outside. Got it cheap, but only ’cause it was knockin’ at death’s door.”
“Good. Good. Bringing back that side of the business would open up a lot of potential customers. Omaha is the closest bike shop.”
“Wait, what do you mean,bringingback?”
“Well, none of us ever learned properly, not like you. Bailey’s got his hands full with the auto repairs, and Axel’s happier out in the junkyard.”
“And you?”
He scoffed. “I’m a businessman. You know I hate fixing shit.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, but you know I can’t promise to stay for good. I didn’t come back for that. I just… You said you needed help, and I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
“So don’t,” he said. “Help me do this.”
I hesitated, and his jaw clenched. Holden never had liked it when things didn’t go his way.
“At least while you’re here,befucking here,” he said. “The future will come soon enough, and I’ll deal with it then.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him. Holden wasn’t really aroll with the punchessort of guy. He was more the type to craft a detailed five-year plan, complete with action steps.
“You think you’re going to convince me to stay,” I guessed.
“Maybe.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Then I guess we’re all fucked.”
“No pressure, huh?”
“A shit ton of pressure,” Holden said. “Welcome to my world. Now, nut up and start making up for all those years you were gone.”
“Okay, then,” I said, bemused. I hadn’t been ordered around like this since I lived with my big brother. He’d left home for college when I was sixteen. “What should I do?”
He opened the desk drawer, pulled out a set of keys, and tossed them to me. “You’re on tow duty. Until we get a call, help Bailey and Jose. And before you ask? Your pay is room and board, nothing else. We’re underwater here, and every spare dime has to go to overhead.”
“Sounds like a great deal,” I said sarcastically. “Glad I drove six hours for this.”
Holden met my eye. “I’m glad you’re back, Gray. Stay a while, okay? I know you’re conflicted about being here, but Dad is gone, and we’re still your brothers. If you give us a chance, we can be a family again.”
“I gave up on family a long time ago,” I said quietly.
“Well, maybe family didn’t give up on you.”
I smiled wryly. “Says you. Axel and Bailey don’t seem too interested in playing brothers.”
“Give ’em time. I didn’t tell them I’d asked you back. Wasn’t sure you’d actually show.”
I winced. That was fair. I hadn’t been sure I’d actually show either. I’d agonized over Holden’s letter for weeks.
I’d thought this part of my life was long gone, even if Holden had checked in from time to time. But now…Axel and Bailey were here, so real and sharp-edged with their anger.
Finding closure might be a little more complicated than I’d imagined.
