My jaw goes slack.
“Now go to your room and lock yourself there until you sober up. Am I clear?” Meadow’s deep voice soundsintimidating as he spins him toward me.
The man grunts in annoyance. “Yes.”
“Apologize to her before you do.” Meadow points to me.
“Sorry, darling.” In a slow shamble, he barely walks to the front door but manages to stay up somehow before he disappears.
Focusing his attention on me, Meadow’s nostrils flare. “Are you okay?”
“I could’ve handled it.” I brush off the sand sticking to my clothes.
“Then why didn’t you?” He asks playfully, flexing his broad shoulders, waiting for my answer as he shoves one hand into his front pocket.
“I was just about to punch him in the face but I guess chivalry isn’t dead after all.”
“Oh, this?” He salutes me. “No one messes withmy toy, they can look for another one somewhere else.”
I shake my head sideways and roll my eyes. “Thanks.” My eyes try to pierce through those shades, “Why are you wearing your shades?”
Having enough, he turns to the bar, “Light sensitivity.”
“You’re so full of shit.” I make a half-suppressed laugh.
He flashes me his shit-eating grin over his shoulder. “You’re so obsessed with me.” He murmurs but I can hear him.
“Am not,” I whisper back. “And I can say the same.”
A ghost of a smile hovers around his lips.
Meadow takes a seat and leans on the bar as I take the stool next to him. Russ serves us three shots and takes the thirdin his hand. “Let’s raise a toast, in memory of all the bikers we lost all over the years and our recent goodbye, Michael Hayes.” Russ’s full voice resounds.
Everyone in the bar lifts their glasses and bottles in the air.
I look over to Meadow, the mirth he had a second ago fades quickly as Russ mentions that biker.
“We miss you, brother.” They all recite like a choir. “Ride in peace wherever you may be.” It hits me in the chest that the line I tattooed on Meadow’s wrist could be about Michael Hayes.
In Loving Memory by Alter Bridge starts playing.
Meadow’s shot hangs in the air before he puts it back on the table and shoves it forward, back to Russ. He quickly takes it before he nods to Meadow, a silent understanding between the two.
I take the shot in one go, and tequila burns down my throat. “Thank you, Russ.” Detaching from the stool, I raise my hand to say goodbye to Lorelai and put the bill on the counter.
“You got it, Blakely, see ya’ tomorrow.”
I turn to walk away and Meadow’s voice collides with my back. “You’re leaving?”
The song, seeing everyone around me huddled like this, and thinking about my mom, bring all of my bottled emotions to the surface. She was a part of this place a long time ago, walked around these walls, and it hurts a little to be here right now.
You probably raised hell, Mom, right? I know you did.
“Yeah, I need some quiet.” I pivot my head, staring at him.
“Me too.”
He stares at me like he wants me closer but needs to push me away as much as possible. There’s a conflict in the way he acts around me and I’m dealing with one myself. He speaks to me through his eyes when he wears his helmet and opens the visor up. I can track the pain they conceal inside. But with the shades I get nothing.
