“So, you and Ben are big bad bikers now, huh. And what’s with all the macho names?”
“Yeah, Crusher recruited us before his accident and we haven’t looked back. It was the best thing to happen to me since you left. They really filled that void of family that I missed out on growing up. We’re given road names once we came into the MC. Most of them have to do with certain likes or jobs they do. Like Blaze who’s in prison, his real name is Kash, but he loves setting things on fire so the name Blaze stuck with him.” Makes sense.
“And Havoc and Riot are from…”
“Just something that happened when we first patched in.” He shrugs but doesn’t elaborate.
“It’ll take me some time to get used to calling you and Ben that,” I admit, but if that is what they’d prefer then I’ll be more than happy to make an effort.
“Some of the people in town think we’re the antichrist, though.”
“Let me guess. My stepdad is leading the charge.”
“Yeah, when he was elected mayor, he made things really difficult for us, but we’re managing it. We do a lot of good for this town, but it never gets recognized. We only get flack for the vile things that happen. Most of it isn’t even our fault, but we’re an easy scapegoat and good for his numbers when it’s time for reelection.”
One thing I’ve always thought about Dennis Burns was that he was a shady man. Any man who would knowingly sleep with a married woman is a sleazy asshat in my book.
“Well, we both know that Dennis has never been a favorite person of mine. I still have a hard time spending more than an hour in the same room as him. Even if he did buy me a kickass car.”
There’s a pause in the conversation before Havoc speaks again.
“Raegan, if you are going to hang out at the club I think that you need to tell Prez who your stepdad is. Riot and I know you’re not any harm to the club, but the others might see it as you trying to get information for the mayor to take us down.”
“Sure, I’ve nothing to hide. It’s not like I can help who my mother decided to screw and ruin my life with.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure to let Prez know that you’re not a threat to the club. Riot will too.”
I feel like I should tell him about Kane and me, but since we are making progress, I’ll table it for now. Kane had mentioned that he had to be careful how he approached the situation to not divide his club, so I think I’ll let him start that conversation with Havoc.
“So, you want to tell me about Ian Fucking Hastings?” Havoc questions me, but it comes out more of an accusation.
“We’re just friends, Havoc. Our moms set us up on a blind date, and we hit it off. He’s really a nice guy, and it’s none of your business who I see or become friends with.”
Havoc lets out a distasteful sigh.
“I get that, Raegan, but I’ll always want the best for you and to keep you out of harm’s way. The only thing nice about the guy is that he saves lives. He was a real dick when Blaze married his sister, Allison. His family disowned her because she traipsed outside the prim and proper elite social ladder and married someone beneath them.”
“Ian said that he and his sister are working it out, and we even hung out with her and little Annie not too long ago. They seemed like any other siblings to me. Besides, everyone deserves a second chance, right?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
Rolling his eyes, “Just don’t be so trusting with him, okay?”
“Okay.”
Havoc’s phone starts blowing up, and he frowns when he sees it.
“Yeah…okay…be there in twenty.” He hangs up and turns to me. “We’ve got to head back. Club has some business to do.”
“Sure, no problem.”
We get back on his bike and make our way back to town.
As we’re pulling up to the clubhouse, the sun is setting and the music from inside is blaring when the door opens from someone coming or going. I dismount from the bike and take my helmet off, passing it to Havoc. When I go to take a step back my wedged shoe lands on a rock and my ankle gives. Havoc reaches out and steadies me holding my arms. When I finally get my balance straightened out, I look up at him. I was a fumbling mess tripping over air as a teenager, and Havoc and Riot both stayed close to catch me quite often. A moment passes and you can tell we were both transported to those years, and we both start to laugh.
“I can see that some things haven’t changed,” he comments and we both catch our breath. “Thank you for today, Raegan. And even though we aren’t able to become more, I’m so glad to be friends. If there is ever anything you need I hope that you’ll come to me or Riot, and we’ll help you with it,” he says sincerely.
“Thank you,” I say and can feel a part of our past healing itself.
“Can I give you a hug?”
