Page 7 of Bones

“Can’t say I’m surprised. He was awesome like that.”

“He most certainly was. I’m glad we’ve finally got the chance to return the favor.”

I gave him a quick nod, then rushed over to my car. By the time I got in and closed the door, they were all on their bikes and waiting. I was hesitant to follow them out of the parking lot, and I even considered ditching them. But then I remembered how lonely and scared I’d felt for the past six months. I wasn’t sure that going with these men was the best answer, but it beat spending another night alone in my car.

After a ten-minute drive, we pulled up to a large building that was secured with a tall, metal gate. When I spotted two men standing guard, I felt an overwhelming urge to turn and go the other way, but for reasons I didn’t understand, I gathered all the strength I could muster and followed them through that gate. It was the best decision I could’ve ever made.

I don’t know if it was because they all felt indebted to my dad or the fact they were just generous by nature, but two months turned into six years. During that time, the men of Satan’s Fury showed me kindness like I’d never known. They gave me a roof over my head, put clothes on my back, and always made sure I had food on my plate. Not only that, but they’d also brought me into their fold and treated me like one of their own. They even gave my parents a proper resting place which I visited often, especially on holidays like today.

It was New Year’s Eve. The brothers and their ol’ ladies were preparing for a long night of partying, and I was looking forward to joining them. But first, I had some news to share with my parents. I placed a bouquet of flowers on their headstone as I told them, “I made the Dean’s list! It was tough, especially with all the stupid papers, but I did it. I actually did it.”

I knew they both wanted me to go to college and would be ecstatic with the news. I hated that they weren’t there to celebrate with me. While the thought brought tears to my eyes, I quickly brushed them away as I continued, “If all goes well, I’ll graduate in a few months, and then, I can get a job and start looking for a place of my own.”

A bitter-cold breeze whipped around me and stole my breath. I wrapped my arms around me, clutching my coat as I told them, “I miss you guys. Brantley, too. I can’t tell you how much I wish you were here.”

My throat tightened, and I was on the verge of tears when I heard a familiar rumble of a motorcycle drawing near. I didn’t have to look to see who it was. I already knew it was him. I leaned down and ran my hand across the top of my parents’ tombstone as I whispered, “I gotta go... I love you, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I inhaled a deep breath as I wiped away my tears, then I turned and started back towards the parking lot. When I got to my car, Wyatt was leaning against the passenger door, and the mere sight of him took my breath away. He was tall with a chiseled jaw and athletic physique, and he had this beautiful, dirty blonde hair that was always in such perfect disarray. His penetrating, coal-black eyes seemed to pierce right through me as he asked, “You okay?”

“Um-hmm.” I continued over to my side of the car as I told him, “I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

From the very start, I’d been crazy about Wyatt. He had this quiet, protective nature that had a way of setting me at ease, and after what I’d been through with my family, I needed that. I needed it more than I realized. It helped ease the brunt of not having my family around, and that meant more to me than he would ever know.

We’d spent countless hours together—sometimes talking while at other times we simply sat together in silence. Any time I was upset or struggling, Wyatt would be there to make sure I got through it. It was one of the many reasons why I loved him.

While I’d never actually said the words, I’d never hidden the way I felt about him. Everyone knew I was crazy about him, but never once had he reciprocated those feelings—at least, not in the way I’d hoped.

Instead, he simply continued acting like we were friends and nothing more. I won’t deny it hurt that he didn’t return my feelings, and over time, that hurt turned into anger which is why I turned to him with a scowl and spat, “You know, you don’t have to keep coming here like this. I’m a big girl. I can handle coming to see my folks on my own.”

He didn’t respond.

He just stared at me with that deep, soulful look he always had.

I wanted to believe that look meant something, but I’d officially given up hope that he’d ever truly care for me. It was time for me to make a choice. I could keep holding on and hope that he’d finally come around or I could just let go and move on.

Letting go seemed like the most logical answer, but it wouldn’t be easy—Wyatt would make sure of that.

CHAPTER2

Bones

My head was pounding, and I had a terrible case of cotton mouth. I drank too much at the club’s New Year’s Eve party—which was unusual for me. I rarely touched the stuff. I liked how it made me feel. I liked it a lot. I worried I might end up liking it too much, so I usually did my best to steer clear of the stuff. Drugs, too. But it was New Year’s Eve, and the guys were insistent that I stay and party with them.

I agreed, and it wasn’t long before I had a beer in my hand. I might’ve stopped with the one, but then I spotted Elsie tucked away in a corner talking to Hayes. I knew they were just friends but seeing her laughing and bantering with him got under my skin. I had no right to be so bothered. The brothers might’ve known how I felt about Elsie, but they also knew I hadn’t done anything about it.

I hadn’t pursued my feelings for her.

I hadn’t even tried to claim her.

Simply put—she wasn’t mine.

Hayes or any other Joe Blow could stake their claim, and I’d be left out in the fucking cold. And yet, I didn’t go over and talk to her at the party. I didn’t tell her that she consumed my every thought. Instead, I sat there at the bar with Rooster and Torch and tried to act like I was completely unphased as I drank my weight in booze. It was a decision I would come to regret—not just because of Elsie and Hayes, but because of my massive hangover.

I was struggling.

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