Page 9 of Carson

His face falls, and he drops his head. “Fuck,” he says, running his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’m just anxious to get her home.”

Home? To the home we share … to our cabin?

My brother and I share most things, but there are some things we don’t. Toothbrushes, showers, shits, and women, just to name a few.

We don’t bring our women home either. There’s a reason for that … it’s a promise we made our mama a long time ago.

I rest my hands on my hips. My intuition was right; everything is about to change. “Alright, let’s get this finished up. We need to get on the road before Rage finds out.”

He gives me a smile and goes back to work, happy that I’m on board.

When Carver gets back, we’re just finishing up under the hood. We’ve changed the oil and given everything a quick once-over. Barring any surprises, it should be good to hit the road.

“I didn’t even know Rage had another sister,” Carver says after my brother explains his plan as we’re putting the tires back on. “Sounds like she’s a wanderer. Why do you think she’s going to want to stay in Nevada?”

Carson shrugs. “Maybe she just hasn’t found the right place to settle down.”

Carver releases a short burst of air between his teeth. “I don’t know, brother. I’ve never found a place that’s made me want to stay.”

“Yet,” my brother says with a confidence we share. Both of us have money on him planting roots on Rebel Skull ground.

“Besides …” Carson continues, “I just want to get her home long enough I can take a look at her ride a little better. Get it up on the lift.”

It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that this is the second time he’s referred to getting her home.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Carver says, taking a look at her brake pads before putting the tire on. “Is she?” He taps his forehead.

The way my brother’s jaw clenches has me laying a hand on his shoulder. “I think he’s just asking if the shit with her dad is the reason she’s hiding,” I explain on our friend’s behalf, but it’s something I would like to know as well.

“I don’t know,” Carson answers honestly. “I only had a few minutes with her, but it’s just one more reason to keep an eye on her for a while. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

Carver stretches and then jumps on his toes from foot to foot. “All this talk of her old man has me jacked up to get to Nevada.” His crazy dark eyes dance with anticipation. He’s hungry to take out some bad guys.

My brother and I laugh simultaneously. “I told Jackson you’d be down for this.”

“I’m so fucking bored running guns. I need something …”

“Bloodier,” I joke.

“Exactly,” he says. “You fuckers finish this up. I’ll pack my bags and grab the trailer for our bikes.” He walks backward as he steps away. “I can’t believe I’m sayin’ this, but I’ll see you in Nevada.”

We watch him drive away. “His only concern is our women. He’s afraid one of them might set his nuts on fire.”

Carson laughs at this. “He’s not wrong to worry. Jackson told me Katie is pretty pissed the club voted to patch him over.”

“She’s just jealous because her old man won’t let her in on the action.”

“Can’t say that I blame him on this one. I wouldn’t want my old lady around any of those assholes either,” he says.

We finish up with the tires, but my mind is still stuck on what Carson said. Now he’s envisioning a scenario where he has an old lady. Maybe this is something we should have talked about. I’m not sure why it’s never come up before.

“So, when we get back, what does that look like?” I ask. “Is she going to stay at the cabin with us?”

His brows pull together. “I was thinking she could park her van on the pad dad poured for Grandpa’s camper out back. She could plug into the electricity there.” When I don’t comment, he continues. “Or she can stay at Mom and Dad’s house.”

My shoulders fall in relief. Maybe this isn’t as serious as I was thinking.

“Sounds solid.”