Page 42 of Fallen Flame

Oliver followed my gaze. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, quietly, he said, “They’re family.” Simple. Matter-of-fact.

“Your family,” I pointed out.

He shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.” Something flickered across his face before he buried it again behind that same gruff expression he always wore. Whatever it was, it wasn’t something he was ready to talk about.

I wanted to ask.

I wanted to know why someone surrounded by people who would do anything for him still sounded unsure that he belonged.

Some questions could wait.

And somehow, I had a feeling Oliver’s story wasn’t one he’d give away easily.

Chapter Nine

Oliver

Lark’s arms stayed wrapped loosely around my waist, and for the first time since she’d climbed onto the back of my bike, I found myself wishing the ride wasn’t so damn short.

I almost laughed at myself.

She’d been on my bike twice. Twice. And somehow it’d already started feeling... right.

I rolled into the clubhouse parking lot and killed the engine.

The rumble beneath us faded until all that was left was the chorus of crickets and the occasional laugh drifting from inside the building.

Lark slid off the bike, pulling her helmet free before handing it to me. “Thanks.”

I hooked both helmets over the handlebars. “For what?”

“The ride.” She shrugged. “I kinda like your bike.”

“It’s just a bike.”

She smiled. “Sure, Ollie.”

I shot her a look.

She grinned wider. “I know, I know. Don’t call you that.”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t gonna say it.”

“You’ve finally accepted your fate?”

“Don’t push it.”

Her laugh echoed across the lot. She glanced toward the clubhouse before looking back at me. “Wanna go watch the stars?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“In the backyard,” she clarified quickly. “Not sneaking out there by myself and giving you another heart attack.”

A huff of amusement escaped before I could stop it.

“I didn’t have a heart attack.”

“You were close.”