“Stella was a grown woman who made a decision to get on a motorcycle in less than ideal conditions.”
“Yeah, but you were the one who put her on that bike.”
“No. She wanted on that bike, because she wanted distance from you.”
“What the fuck?” I bellowed, standing and shoving the chair back so hard it hit the wall. “If you think I’m going to sit here for one goddamn second while you try to shift the blame onto me.”
“I’m not trying to blame anyone, and I told you you weren’t gonna want to hear this.”
“What the fuck do you mean she was trying to get away from me?”
“She said she felt smothered and she just wanted out. I intended on driving her down Naito and taking a walk by the waterfront. Ten minutes on the road after the sun came out.”
“So why the fuck did you head up Boones Ferry?”
“Because you were following us and Stella wanted space,” he growled. “I should have ignored her. I should have turned the fuck around. I should have ridden down to the water. I didn’t, and believe me, I think about that choice every fuckin’ day.”
Every word was like a knife to my heart. Stella and I had fought that day. She’d said exactly what Harmon was saying now. She’d accused me of acting like a father and since I wasn’t her father, she could do whatever the fuck she wanted to do.
I dragged my hands down my face.
“If you want to go out back and add a few more bruises to my face, we can do that,” Harmon said. “I just want this done.”
“Why now?” I asked.
Harmon glanced at Hatch who nodded.
“I want to prospect for the Dogs.”
“So?”
“Until this is resolved between us, I’m blocked from doing that.”
I focused on Hatch and he studied me, giving me a slight nod.
“Jesus,” I hissed, taking my seat again.
“After I’d been kicked out of every bar in town, Hatch called me and asked me if I was done feelin’ sorry for myself,” Harmon said. “He had the keys to my bike and had taken it upon himself to repair it after the crash, but wouldn’t give it back to me until I stopped drinkin’. That was the hardest part because I couldn’t sleep without it.”
“How’d you do it?” I asked, wishing I could take the words back.
I didn’t give a fuck.
“Maisie,” he said. “She set me up with someone who made me talk about my feelings. It fuckin’ sucked.” He met my eyes. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry, Jasper. If I could change it, I would.”
“Give us a few,” Hatch said to Harmon who rose to his feet and left the room.
I dropped my head in my hands and Hatch moved to sit in front of me.
“I’ve been pissed for a long fuckin’ time,” I rasped.
“I know.”
“I don’t know how to change that,” I admitted.
“I know.”
“How do I make it stop?” I asked, and Hatch settled his hand on my shoulder.
