“Only the best for my girl. No bounds on our love, baby.”
She fans herself with an open palm. “Swoon alert. You’re straight out of a romance novel.”
“But better?”
“So much.”
Ten minutes is all it takes for us to reach the main drag of Silo Springs. My eyes are focusing out the window, watching the buildings pass. I assume we’re having dinner at one of the few restaurants in town. But Sutton pulls over and parks in front of the very last place I ever imagined.
I do a double-take at the name, not computing how this adds up. A row of motorcycles decorate the designated area out front. I blink at the yellow and blue neon sign. Howlers is blinking bold and proud. I peer at Sutton from the corner of my eye. She’s beaming at me, her expression about to burst with joy.
“Uh, is this my surprise?” I point to my old stomping ground.
She nods and steeples two fingers under her chin. “Yep. Let’s go inside.”
When we step through the entrance, an eruption of cheers and applause rings out. I almost topple backwards onto my ass. It appears more than half the residents of Silo Springs are packed inside this dingy space.
“What’s everyone doing here?” I can hardly hear over the pounding parade of my pulse.
Sutton bumps her hip into me. “To celebrate, of course.”
I scrub over the prickle on my scalp. “How could they already know about our engagement?”
“They’re here for you, silly. We all wanted to celebrateyou.”
“All of this is… for me?” I almost don’t get the question out of my clogging throat.
She loops an arm around me, leaning her head on my arm. “Yes, baby. Everyone wanted to see you.”
Barry, Alice, and Jace are the first to approach us. They don’t bother asking before wrapping me up in a group hug. I return the affection without hesitation. These are my people. They’re always here for me.
We find an open spot at the bar and settle in. The stools are more uncomfortable than ever. Familiar groans from worn leather paired with squeaks of rusting metal greet me.
Alice hugs me again. “I’m so glad we caught him. That man needs to pay for framing you.”
A black shadow passes over my vision thinking of Lance and his attempt at ruining my life. I crack my neck, grinding all consideration of him into the stained ground. “Sounds like he will,” I mutter.
“Mom,” Sutton interrupts. She shoves her left hand under Alice’s nose. Her mother gasps.
“Is that what—”
“Yes! We’re getting married. Let’s focus on that happy and leave the poison buried in the past.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Alice coos. “This is wonderful news. The absolute best.” She lifts her watery features to me. “I can’t wait for you to officially be part of our family.”
Jace nudges his mom over a step. “He already is. Always has been.”
She huffs. “You know what I mean.”
Barry pats me on the back. “Damn proud of you son. Couldn’t ask for a better man to make an honest woman of my daughter.”
“Dad!” Sutton scolds.
He chuckles. “Just kidding, sweetheart. You’ve always been a catch.”
She folds her arms. “Uh-huh, yeah.”
I lean into her. “For me. That’s what matters.”
