“Thanks, man.”
“Until then, do what the fuck he says and lay low until he cools off and calls you back in.”
“I plan to.”
He pulls out a joint and lights it, taking a big hit, then passes it to me. He exhales slowly, studying me. “So, you really married this girl?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story. She was in some trouble. Its just until she turns eighteen.”
“Wait, you mean she’s under eighteen and you brought her to the clubhouse? Christ, Saint, what were you thinking?”
“I didn’t want to. Bear ordered me to. And he knew how old she was.”
“He also thinks she’s your sister, apparently.”
“I’m not sure that he does.”
“Okay, look, don’t go tellin’ anyone else. For now, until Sly decides what the fuck he’s gonna do, we keep this between us.”
“You sure?”
“Fuck yeah. He cuts you loose, ain’t nobody’s fucking business why unless he wants to tell them. A sponsor can dump his prospect for whatever reason he wants, no explanation required.”
“Okay. We’ll play it your way. But I feel like shit not letting the rest of the guys know.”
“Oh, now you feel like shit, asshole? Cause you got fuckin’ caught lying?”
“You’re right, and I deserve that and more.”
“Goddamn right you do.”
“You want your two hundred K back?” I can’t keep the corner of my mouth from pulling up as I stare at him.
“Fuck you. You earned it.”
With that he stands and stalks back to his bike. I blow out a slow breath wondering how I let myself fuck things up so badly. I watch him roar onto the street, before I push to my feet, tiredly and head to my own bike.
When I pull in the drive of the cottage, I spot the BMW immediately. I eye it as I park and pull my helmet off. Turning, I spot Kami and another girl sitting in the garden. They’re staring over at me. Guess I should go say hello.
I stride over. Kami looks up at me, and smiles. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself,” I reply brushing my hand over the top of her hair. “Who’s your friend?”
“Santos, this is Mary Elizabeth. She and I were best friends in high school before…” She trails off and her friend fills in the rest, standing and extending her hand to me.
“Before she dumped me for the cool kids. Nice to meet you.”
“Mary Elizabeth,” I say, shaking her hand. “I like you already.”
“I was just leaving,” she says, looking down at Kami.”
“Hey, no need to run off on my account. Stay as long as you want.” I glance down at Kami. “I’m gonna go hit the shower. You girls have fun.”
I turn and amble inside.
“He’s hot!” Mary Elizabeth whispers as I walk away, and I grin.
The moment I’m in the back door I spot the cake on the kitchen table. I take a step closer. Happy 18th Birthday, BFF is written in red gel icing across the top. Two pieces are missing.
Fuck. I pull my phone out and read today’s date. My eyes slide closed as I realize its Kami’s birthday, and I completely forgot. Three months have flown by and I’ve barely been home for most of it.
I pace back and forth wondering what the fuck to do. Then my thumb moves over the screen, and I make a call. It’s a shot in the dark, but it’s the only thing I can think of that’ll mean something.
I’m on hold listening to bullshit elevator music for several minutes until the man I need comes on the line.
“Hey, it’s Saint. I need your place for a few hours.” I explain what I want in detail, and he argues. “Listen, old man. I’ll owe you one.” I blow out a breath as he negotiates with me for more. “Fine, just name your price.” I listen to his reply. “How much?” I whistle at the amount; it’s enough to give me pause, but she’s worth it. “Okay, fine, but we get as long as she wants, understand?”
“Who are you talking to?”
I whirl, jamming the phone in my pocket. “Nobody, what’s up?”
“Mary Elizabeth invited me to the lake for the day. Her parents have a summer place on Lake Lanier.”
Mary Elizabeth pipes in. “You’re welcome to come. We’ll have the place to ourselves. Well, except for my brother and his friends. We thought we’d take the pontoon boat out.”
“He probably can’t come. He’s always busy.”
“Actually, I’ve got the next couple of days free, so I’d love to come along, Mary Elizabeth.” I love the way Kami’s mouth drops open, and I wink at her.
***
Kami—
Mary Elizabeth and I sit at the bow of the pontoon boat, watching the sun setting over the lake. Our legs dangle, our feet in the water. It’s been a great day. Her brother brought us out to the shallows where everyone anchors to party and swim—all young kids like us from places around the lake. We ended up having a water fight with me on Saint’s shoulders, and we won every round.
Mary Elizabeth bet Saint he couldn’t lift me over his head like in the movie Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze. Of course he had to take the bet. Good thing I’ve had years of ballet and knew how to do a lift. We got it on our first try, and everyone cheered.
Mary Elizabeth looks over her shoulder to where Saint and her twin brother are talking about motorcycles under the sunshade. “If Joe comes home with a Harley, my parents are going to flip.”
I giggle and bump my shoulder into hers. “He’s got all that graduation money burning a hole in his pocket.”
“Joe on a Harley. I never knew he had a rebel side.”
“I think he’d look cool on one,” I tease.
“Do not encourage him. My mom would flip her shit.” She looks back at them again. “Now, Saint on the other hand has badass biker written all over him. My God, those tattoos. When he took his shirt off, I thought I was going to melt in a puddle at his feet.”
I roll my eyes.
She stares at me. “Oh, please, like you haven’t noticed.”
“Hush,” I hiss. “He’ll hear us. And yes, I noticed.”
“Has he kissed you?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
I shrug. “This is only temporary. He’s made that clear more than once.”
“So, you two haven’t…”
“No. I mean, we fooled around a little, but we haven’t actually—you know…”
“Why not?”
“Because he stopped us. He doesn’t want me thinking this is a real marriage. I think he’s worried I’ll get attached or something.”
“Will you?”
“Nooo.” I glare at her like she’s just said something ridiculous, because she has.
“You know, I didn’t want to like him, but, he’s been so sweet to you all day, coming out here, making sure you had a good day, getting you drinks… I mean, he’s kind of a great guy. And when he did that lift with you in the water, oh my God, I was blown away. You must feel something for him.