“North’s etched deeper, and around the base it saysHold the line.Kind of my personal GPS for when life tries to send me into a ditch.”
“I knew it. You’re a born leader.”
“Hell, yeah.”
Her gaze flicked back to the tattoo, and she traced her finger on it. “What’s A and M for?”
“Abby and Mom.” I smiled. “Mom was the heart of the family. After she died… Dad didn’t hold much together. So I did.”
Mel’s hand rested lightly on my forearm. “You still do.”
I let out a breath. “That’s the season that taught me loyalty, grit… and how to fake looking steady when you’re skating on gravel.”
“That’s not true. You’re solid.”
My mouth curved. “Not exactly the kind of story you expect with a tattoo and a motorcycle.”
“No,” she said, leaning into me. “It’s better. For Abby and you as her big brother, that’s just…”
She shook her head as if looking for words.
“Dazzling?”
She chuckled. “You can’t stop reminding me how charming you are.”
I turned to her. “Did you say I’m charming?”
She smiled and didn’t look at me. “If you insist, I’ll take it back.”
“Another point to my sass account. It’s getting pretty full.”
She swatted my arm, breaking a laugh out of me.
Then she asked, “What did she have? Your mom?”
“A congenital heart issue.”
“Oh, that’s hard stuff.”
I nodded. “Yeah, it was.” I let the memory wash over me for a moment. “But after twenty-five years, I think she’d be glad I turned out okay. She’d probably roll her eyes that I went full motorcycle guy with a tattoo and then ask if the bike came with a helmet big enough for my ego.”
Mel laughed. “Yep. Your mom would be right on the money for a broody guy.”
I bumped her shoulder with mine. “Broody types don’t usually get soft for Cuties.”
“That’s right. “Broody’s overrated anyway,” she said with a glint. “Give me stormy, motorcycle-riding hockey guys. That’s my lane now.”
That made me chuckle. “Don’t wish for what you can’t handle.”
“I can handle all of you.”
I smirked. “Challenge accepted.”
We fell into a comfortable silence again. A red-winged blackbird cut across the lake with a sharp trill, startling a pair of green-headed ducks drifting close to shore.
I could feel the shift, her conversation with Ruby at their house sitting between us even here.
I glanced over. “Have things always been tight between you and your mom?”
