Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Both were good-looking kids, but it wasn’t them that stopped me in my tracks.
That was their mother.
She was striking with long, dark hair that was pulled into a loose braid, and some of it had come loose, framing her face. She had beautiful brown eyes that still held softness, despite the exhaustion lining them. Her skin was warm toned with freckles dappling the bridge of her nose, and there was something about the way she held herself, like she was tired but hadn’t given up, that hit me in a place I didn’t expect.
Something in my chest tightened.
Damn. It had been a long time since a woman had an effect on me, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I tried to force myself to move, but I was stuck in place. That’s when the younger boy looked up at me, and his brother immediately followed suit. And inevitably, the mother turned to see what they were looking at.
Perfect. Now, they were all staring at me, and each of them had a puzzled expression. I had to say something, or they’d think I was some kind of lunatic. So, I cleared my throat and said, “Your mother’s right… about not judging a book by its cover.”
The boys blinked at me, unsure what to make of this crazy stranger who was giving them unsolicited life advice. I gave them a small shrug before continuing, “Some of the best stories don’t look like much at first. Same goes for people.” I motioned my hand at my chest. “If you don’t give ‘em a chance, you’ll miss out, and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
The mother held my gaze, and there was warmth and compassion in her eyes, which was a pleasant surprise. It was rare to find someone who could see past the dirt and grime, the beard and tattoos, but she did.
She saw me.
The real me. That’s when I knew she wasn’t someone who just said the words. She actually lived by them, and I knew better than anyone just how rare that really was. I didn’t wait for her to respond. I simply tipped my chin and walked out.
I didn’t even look back as I made my way to my bike. I swung my leg over the seat and turned the ignition, and my engine rumbled to life, grounding me like a faithful companion. But the second I pulled out of the parking lot, my mind drifted right back to them.
To her.
I didn’t know what it was about her, but she’d hooked into me like barbed wire. The way she’d handled her boys, speaking to them softly but firmly, and the way she pushed them to do right. She was trying to help them become responsible young men, and from where I was standing, I’d say she was well on her way.
I thought about what she’d said about doing the work at his dad’s, and it got me wondering if she was divorced or separated. I had no clue why I even fucking cared. I didn’t have time for this shit, and more than likely, I’d never see them again.
So, I pushed the throttle back, trying to shove the thoughts away, but my mind kept going back to her hands. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember if there was a ring on her finger. I don’t know why I couldn’t remember. I seemed to notice everything else.
“Damn. I need to get a fucking grip.”
I should’ve had my mind on getting to the Fury clubhouse and the fight that was headed their way. That was why I was here in Little Rock. Not because of some woman I’d never see again.
Getting to Fury. That’s all that mattered.
That’s what I kept telling myself, but for some reason, I wasn’t so sure I believed it.
6
RAELYN
Ihated drop-off days.
Not only did I have to give up my boys for the night, but I had to come face-to-face with Dan. He was the last person I wanted to see, and it didn’t help matters that he always wanted to meet at the Walmart parking lot. It was always so busy on the weekends, and the exchange always felt so rushed.
I was parked next to the front entrance, and I silently groaned when I saw Dan’s silver pickup pulling into the lot. I glanced back at the boys to tell them he was here, but they were already unbuckling their seatbelts, chattering about the night like it was any other Saturday.
Once he’d parked, I got out and forced a smile as I told him, “The boys already ate breakfast.”
“Good deal.”
“And they both packed clothes for church tomorrow.”
There was no ‘thank you’. Just a simple nod as he got out and grabbed the boys’ bags. He didn’t ask how the boys were, and there was no mention of CeeCee’s pregnancy. I thought he might try to feel me out and see how I felt about it, but he wouldn’t even look at me. He just tossed the bags into the back like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough.