“Some days I feel kind of old, so you aren’t wrong.”
He holds his hands out at his sides, like,duh, I was right.
The woman shakes her head, holding her hand out toward me. “Hi, I’m Riley.”
I slide my hand into hers. “I’m sure you have figured it out by now, but I’m Kane.”
Maverick speaks up, “Riley is well… my Riley, I guess.” She smiles down at him lovingly. “She’s with my dad and uncles, so she’s just family.”
While working at the bar, I’ve heard whisperings about the four different polyamorous couples in town. I never really thought anything of it, though.
Other people’s relationships have never been of my concern. If people are happy, then that’s all that matters, not what that relationship looks like.
Tears are glistening in Riley’s eyes now. “You can’t say things like that while I’m pregnant, Mav. You’re going to make me cry.”
“It’s okay to cry,” he says with a shrug. “Even for boys.”
“Can you be a little less mature for a minute?” she asks, swiping away her tears.
He hikes his backpack up a little higher on his shoulder. “I’ll try.”
This kid.
She ruffles his hair. “I do love you, you little weirdo.”
“Love you, too,” he says, then jogs off toward Abby’s front door. “Bye, Kane,” he shouts over his shoulder just before heading inside.
“Bye, Maverick.”
“Thank you for watching out for Leah. It’s pretty incredible what you all are doing,” Riley says.
I take a sip of my coffee, giving myself something to do. Receiving compliments or praise has never been easy for me. “We’re just glad we can help.”
“I know a lot of people were wary about you all starting a biker club in town, but I think it’s a good thing. This town needs more good people who are willing to help others out. If that comes in the form of hot, tatted bikers… so be it.”
The front door to Abby’s house swings open, and I can’t find the strength to look away from her as she walks in our direction.
She looks like she just finished working out. Her skin is rosy and glistening with sweat. I want to lick her clean.
Calm the fuck down.
She is your friend. Friend. Friend. Friend.
She’s slightly out of breath when she reaches Riley and me. She looks at the other woman.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize you guys were here until Mav came in.” She gestures at her workout clothes that hug her toned figure. “I was clearly trying to kill myself in the name of health or whatever.”
Riley chuckles. “You better work out for both of us because I sure as shit am not doing any of that right now.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Abby says with a cringe. Then, she swivels her gaze toward me.
“Kane,” she says, swiping her tongue over her lips. My eyes track every millimeter of the movement.
“Abby.” I want to say sweetheart so badly, but I don’t. I keep it locked away, just like my growing feelings for her that I’m attempting to convince myself aren’t real.
Sure…
Riley is smirking at me. It isn’t in a flirty way but rather a sneaky way, like she has realized something I haven’t come around to yet.
