“Yeah. Got a great deal. Not sure if that’s a good thing, though.” I ignored Parker’s intent eyes on me as I walked back to the truck, and Rook was gathering up two bricks of his own. Despite the cold, he wore a cut-off shirt that showed his muscles. The dude must go to the gym a few times a week at least. “I remember when you were this tall, kid.”
Rook didn’t even look at me, hauling his armful around the truck with a grunt, and I watched him go through narrowed eyes. I bet he stuck his dick in a crazy bitch. It was the only thing I could think of that every dumb man did at least once. My little cousin grew up a smuggler, and I reached to rub the back of my head roughly.
“I’ll find out eventually what the fuck he did. Grabbing the last four bricks, I ignored the gnawing curiosity in my gut as I walked to my bike. My cruiser was specifically built for these long hauls, with an eleven-gallon monster tank and all black and chrome. I liked my speedster better, though—my beautiful siren. I sucked in a sharp breath to stop my chest from collapsing in on itself as the image of my bike taunted the dark edges of my vision.
“He’s literally just a kid—look at him!” Parker blurted out the revelation loudly, his shock striking like lightning through the clearing. I almost winced at the near immediate crack that followed, rippling across my cheek and down my neck palpably. My cousin nearly knocked Parker right out of his saddle, his fists trembling with rage by his sides.
“Fuck off. I’ll fucking beat your face into the dirt.” Rook’s voice was deep, hoarse, the stress he was under making it thrum almost visibly in the darkness. Packing up my bricks, I sniffled lightly and scowled when Parker glanced at me in alarm. If he expected me to ruffle my feathers, he was in for a shock.
Rook was a scrapper, always ready for a fight. He was a great kid to have on our side. Parker’s eyes flashed with shadows when I said nothing, but I ignored him to secure my saddlebags and swing my leg over my bike. I’d told him to keep his mouth shut, and this was why.
“I’ll call you when we get to Utah, Uncle Minter. C’mon, Rook. We’ve got one hell of a ride ahead of us.” My cousin glared hotly at Parker for a long moment before turning around with a scoff. Stomping over to me, he took a few deep breaths, and I held up a palm to stop him. “Be careful with my bike. It’s worth more than you are.”
“Sure.” Grumbling as he forcibly shirked his anger off slender shoulders, my cousin gulped down his aggression and unhooked his nails from his palms. “I won’t hurt your bike.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m likely to kill you if you ever put a scratch on her.” I lowered my hand, and Rook carefully swung his leg over the back of my bike to sit behind me. Handing him my helmet, I couldn’t help the shit-eating grin that stretched my lips when he grumbled under his breath. Rook’s head was too small, but protection was protection. Gesturing Parker to roll out, I kicked up the stand and jerked the clutch, and my bike roared to life.
It was gonna be a long, silent ride back to Utah.
Chapter Four
Nicole
Why’d you even bring him? That stranger’s words clung to the backs of my eyes far too long, and I gnawed on my inner cheek absently. Staring into the pristine, white tablecloth, I twiddled my thumbs in my lap under the table. God, I hated how I was thinking about this crap while at my sister’s rehearsal dinner. I should’ve been focused on her and her impending nuptials, but instead, I’d been too focused on Tom. Our fight at that remote gas station rang in my ears, and I still had trouble coming to grips with the fact that it happened.
Firstly, Tom and I had only been dating for ten months. Who proposes at ten months? And we weren’t even that serious! I huffed as these past months flashed across the tablecloth as if it was a movie screen. I liked Tom, but I was starting to get disenchanted with him after inviting him as my plus one to this wedding.
I should’ve broken up with him when I found the ring box. I picked under my nails in agitation. None of this would be happening if I had a spine.
Tearing my eyes off the smooth tablecloth, I scanned the room for Tom, and annoyance simmered in my veins. He chatted up my parents, his handsome face a perfect mask of pleasantness. And that’s the problem. He’s pleasant to be around, but that’s it. I stopped being excited to be around him right around the time he got comfortable enough to pee on the toilet seat.
“You look like you wanna kick him in the shin.” I jumped, my thoughts stalling as my sister sat next to me with a knowing, small smile. Nervousness gnawed at my gut, and I licked my lips heavily as I turned to Jackie. “What’d you fight about all the ride up here?”
“Tom plans to propose to me at your reception.” Jackie’s beautiful, long face froze in surprise, her eyes narrowing into slits as they slid across the room. Mortification tightened my throat, and I clenched my hands into tight fists under the table. “I told him if he did it, I’d break up with him, but he just ignored all my reasons why that’s a terrible idea. The least of which is because it’s your wedding. I shouldn’t have brought him. I’m so sorry, Jackie.”
“You want me to beat him up for you?” My chest
