When Miles led Emmett to the patio, he watched them disappear through the door before walking to his room. He’d protested when Miles and Kaz insisted on renovating his room after they finished with the necessary stuff on the house, but looking around the room and the new attached bathroom, he was glad he’d let them convince him. It had been a gloomy and dark room before. Now it was light with white walls, new floors, and no more old curtains bathing the room in dark red hues.
It didn’t make him claustrophobic anymore. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt much more like he belonged here now.
He sat down on his bed with a loud sigh and pulled out his phone, not expecting any messages and yet still feeling the disappointment and unease when he didn’t find any waiting for him. He hated being out of the loop. Hated not being there for his family when they were in a dangerous situation. But he couldn’t be in both places at once, and getting Emmett to safety had been his priority. He couldn’t regret keeping Emmett safe, even if any of his brothers or sisters got hurt because he wasn’t there. He just couldn’t.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Emmett
MILES LED him through the patio doors to the screened-in porch and out onto the back porch. He ran his gaze over the backyard, taking in the mature trees, the green grass covering endless fields, and the firepit surrounded by well-used chairs. There was a serenity to this place despite all the outlaw bikers that usually occupied the space.
Walking down the steps, he took a deep breath, eyes closing at that fresh smell of trees and the soft touch of a light breeze against his skin. He could get used to this. He understood why Miles loved it here. It was as if his heart had been beating hard and uncontrollably until he stepped through that patio door, and now it was a calm, staccato rhythm that spoke to his whole being.
His life had been chaotic for so long that he’d almost forgotten what calm felt like. What peace felt like. Despite the stress and angst of having to leave the gym the way they had, he’d felt more alive in the past hour than he had in a long time. It was on the cusp of terrifying him because he didn’t want to lose that again. He didn’t want to crawl into the shadow of a person he’d become with Heath. He liked his life bright and bold, and he fucking hated that he’d let someone dull it.
He cherished the soft crunch of their footsteps in the dewy grass as they walked through the backyard. Neither of them spoke, and that was one thing he loved about Miles: he’d always been able to tell exactly what he needed. He’d always been ableto see right through him. It was why he hadn’t wanted Emma to tell Miles about Heath. It was why he’d mostly kept away from Miles over the past few months. It was the same reason he’d told them to keep it from Kian as well. Miles, at least, was not as volatile and likely to cause shit.
He knew it would hurt Miles to have been kept out of the loop, but knowing his bullshit could’ve impacted Miles and Kaz’s second chance made that decision an easy one. If anyone deserved to find his happily ever after, it was Miles. He was always the first to show up and the last to leave. He was fair and loyal and a friend he wouldn’t want to be without.
He ran his gaze across the wooded area, taking in the fencing between the trees.
“Is that a paddock?”
Miles followed his line of sight and nodded. “There’s an old barn here, too.”
With a tilt of his head, Miles led the way to what was indeed an old barn hidden by overgrown bushes and trees. The red paint was chipping off, but it was clear it had been beautiful in its prime. Peeking inside, he saw four stalls and old leather saddles hanging on the wall, covered in cobwebs.
It reminded him of summers spent on horseback with his family. Those were some of his best memories. His father teaching him and his brother to take care of their horses and to earn their horses’ trust before they learned to ride. There was something special about that connection. About sharing your fears and dreams with a being that could see right through you. Building that trust so even when they’re scared, they’ll follow you.
“Why did Wilder bring you back so soon?”
He turned his head to look at Miles. There was concern in the furrow of his brows, and in those golden eyes was a fear that only came with loving someone.
“He said something was about to go down at the gym, and he needed me out of there. At least I know my brother was long gone. If not, I wouldn’t have let Wilder drag me out of there without him.”
“He dragged you out of the gym?”
“Threw me over his shoulder.”
Miles blinked, his lips quirking.
The rumble of engines had them turning toward the driveway to watch as endless motorcycles drove past, and he felt more than he heard Miles’s sigh of relief.
“Guess it wasn’t anything too serious, then,” he muttered.
“Let’s hope that’s the case,” Miles said, though he didn’t sound convinced.
Miles started back toward the clubhouse, and Emmett followed.
“About Wilder… If you want to fuck him, I’m not gonna tell you not to,” Miles said, causing Emmett to nearly fall over his own feet. He snapped his head up to look at Miles, who didn’t seem to notice. “But you should know that he’s a one-time kinda guy.”
He shook his head. “Wasn’t planning on fucking him.”
He wasn’t. He was already fucked up enough, but the thought of it? Wilder’s big hands sliding over his body, those lips teasing him… Fuck. That was the last thing he needed.
They were nearly at the patio steps when the sound of wheels skidding on gravel had them both snapping their heads toward the driveway. One bike had been pulled to a stop, and the biker was throwing his helmet on the grass as he ran toward them.
“Fuck’s sake,” Emmett muttered and opened his arms with a resigned sigh.
