Page 70 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
“We're not going to stop being with Patty just because it makes you uncomfortable,” I tell him. “So, you’d better get used to that. And if you ever want to start being honest to yourself, talk to Patty and tell her how you feel. The ball’s in your court now.”
I turn away and leave my brother with his axe and his woodpile, and I head back to work.
Later, as the sun begins to go down, I get the itching foranother motorcycle ride. As I open the door to the shed I find Wes there, checking the oil on his own bike.
"You heading out for a ride?” he asks.
I nod.
"I’m going up the mountain," he says. “I guess I’ll see you there."
I nod again as he zooms off. Then, I get on my own bike and follow, maintaining a steady distance between us. Wes doesn't speed but he does goon around and loves to take dangerous turns, and I frown at him. He needs to stop pulling bullshit like that. Not only is it risky, but it's also the reason people think we’re rough bikers and not upstanding members of society. And while I couldn't care less what people think about me, I don't want Patty to get caught up in these rumors by association.
People don’t say a lot of nice things about bikers’ women, and Patty would be mortified if she thought that the local people think she is one of them.
So as we finally slow to a stop at a layby that commands a breathtaking view over the Big Snowy Mountains, plus in the distance the little Belt Mountains rising up in the west. I kick out my bike’s stand, and dismount to give my legs a stretch and to enjoy the view for a moment or to. Wes is doing much the same. His helmet is already off and is placed on a nearby picnic table next to his gloves and he stands there, hands on hips, admiring the view. I lift up the visor of my own helmet to say, “You ever thought about painting your bike back to a normal color and not riding so dangerously?"
He shrugs. "But then what would be the fun in that?"
"The fun would be living. And people not thinking you're a maniac."
"Whatever people think about me is their business."
Even Patty?I want to ask, but I don't.
He’s not even paying attention to me anymore anyway. He’s staring out at the sunset, a beautiful mixture of orange and red, turning the Big Snowy mountain range into a dark and mysterious silhouette, but lighting the sky around it as if a fire was raging in the heavens.No wonder so many ancient peoples worshiped the sun, I think.
"I want to bring Patty here," Wes says.
"Me too," I admit.
"I wanted to ask her today, thinking maybe a ride would help with her sadness. But I don't know if she'll go for it, given how freaked out she was about us being bikers."
“You may have a better chance if you do something about that bike of yours. Like, get rid of the skull and crossbones, and just generally start acting your age."
"Fuck you. My bike is a badass beauty."
"Yeah, and it will probably scare the bejesus out of Patty."
Although, now that I’ve vocalized it, I'm not sure. Patty surprised me today when Wes had his hands around her neck, her pussy flexed around my finger trying to suck me in deeper. It was an illuminating reaction. While she loved my gentle teasing, she also clearly loved a little dominance and roughness as well.
"Her ex used to beat her."
The words come out of nowhere, and I don't process them for a second. "Who?"
"Patty."
"Mm." I'm still thinking about Patty's pussy, when the full effect of the words hit me. "Wait, what?"
Wes turns to me and grimaces at the expression I’m making. And I’m sure it must be something deadly because rage is pumping through me, hot and heady, growing like a flame.
"I found out by accident. She made me promise not to tellanyone, but I can't hold it in anymore. I want to find that cocksucker and make sure he doesn't come close to her again."
Fuck. Fire rages through me. My mind is a haze of red as the memories flash through. Memories of Patty flinching, the fear in her eyes when I snuck up on her. Her hatred of violence.
Now it all makes sense.
Even her skittishness on the day we met was likely because of her asshole ex. She thought I would hurt her like he did.
