Page 28 of Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Biker

She studied me for a long moment, the kind of look that peeled back layers I'd spent years building.

"You knew what you were doing when you didn't answer that message truthfully," she said finally. "Did you know you were choosing yourself over her?"

My chest tightened. I wanted to say no. That I'd been caught off guard, that it spiraled before I could correct it. But Mama Mae didn't ask questions she didn't already know the answer to.

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I knew."

She nodded, like she'd expected that. "Why?"

"Because she was asking for me." The words came out rough. "Not Everett. Not some stand-in. She wanted me there, and if I told her the truth, she'd know she sent it to the wrong person. I couldn't—" I stopped. Tried again. "I didn't want to give it back."

"So you kept it."

"Yeah."

Mama Mae leaned back in her chair. "Loyalty to Everett was easier than being honest with her. Loyalty to me is easier than being honest with yourself. If you want her, stop hiding behind the people who love you."

The words landed hard. She wasn't wrong.

I'd spent years using Everett's trust as a reason to stay away. And when Hannah finally reached out, I'd used the mistaken message as permission to get close without risking the truth.

"I told you to be careful with her heart," Mama Mae said. "And with yours. You remember that?"

"I remember."

"Well, you're out of time to be careful." She stood, smoothing her hands over her skirt. "Now you have to be honest. Not to me. Not to Everett. To her."

She left without waiting for me to respond. Trusted me to know what to do.

Everett showed up an hour later.

He looked tired, his tie shoved in his pocket, his shirt wrinkled from the wedding. He stepped inside when I opened the door, glanced around like he was checking to see if Hannah was there, then met my eyes.

"I wasn't trying to run you off last night," he said.

"I know."

"I was worried. Not entirely opposed." He scrubbed a hand over his face. "She's my sister. I've watched guys underestimate her, take her for granted, make her feel like she wasn't enough. I don't want her going through that again."

"I'm not James."

"I know you're not." He let out a long breath. "That comment I made years ago, about you being the only guy I trust around her… I meant it as a compliment. Not a life sentence."

I stared at him.

"You're not sneaking around behind my back," Everett continued. "You told her the truth. At least I hope you did. So go be honest with her. Not with me."

I wanted to explain. Wanted to tell him exactly how I felt, how long I'd felt it, how serious I was.

Everett cut me off before I could start.

"Don't tell me," he said. "Tell her."

I was going to wait. Give her space. Let her have the couple days she'd asked for. But Mama Mae was right. Waiting was just another way of deciding for her.

Hank watched me put on my boots and grab my keys.

"We'll be back," I told him. "Or we won't. I don't know yet."