Page 64 of Last Mile

No matter how many times I repeated that in my mind, I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around it. Sure, there were still too many gray areas between us to think of this as a date. I had even said as much to Sam on the phone. But deep down, I couldn’t help feeling as though we had finally turned a corner in whatever it was that we were doing. I wanted more with her, and I was willing to wait as long as I had to. As though maybe if enough time went by, I wouldn’t feel so bad about her being Marley’s girlfriend.

Even though my brothers had given me shit about Samantha, I was glad I had talked to them. It was good to know I had their blessing. From the way she was getting along with Mama Liz and Alexandra and Annabel, I knew she would get their stamp of approval as well. Although in the end, I wouldn’t have let their opinion change my mind about her

The screech of a microphone sounded, followed by Kim’s earsplitting whistle. I turned around to see Breakneck was taking the stage with his guitar. Immediately, it felt as if I’d been punched in the chest by the memories flickering through my mind.

“Are you okay?” Sam asked.

With a nod, I replied, “Just kinda overwhelmed at the moment. Breakneck hasn’t sung or played the guitar at a party since my dad died.”

Sam gave me a sympathetic look. “Oh. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad to see him back up there. We used to have some crazy times singing along with him.”

“I would’ve liked to see that.”

I chuckled. “No. You probably wouldn’t have. None of us Malloy boys can really sing. We just think we can when we’ve had too much alcohol.”

Throwing her head back with a laugh, Samantha said, “I think the same thing happens to me. I pity anyone within a mile radius of me at a karaoke bar. I never would have stepped foot in one if Gavin hadn’t liked them. I used to tell him the things he could get me to do for love.”

My brow furrowed in confusion. “Who’s Gavin?”

Samantha’s face flushed. “Oh, just an old boyfriend.”

The mention of Samantha’s old loves had my fists clenching at my sides and I wanted to punch the wall. I hated that just the mention of an old boyfriend could turn me into a raging idiot. Samantha’s past was none of my business, and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have to discuss mine with her.

Breakneck tapping on the mic interrupted me. “Evening, everybody. I wanted to come up here and do a song for Rev’s birthday. It’s been a while since I’ve done this song. Haven’t done it since I lost two of the best friends I’ve ever had, Preacher Man and Case. But I think it’s time to bring this one out of retirement, since it was both men’s favorite song.” The crowd erupted into whistles and clapping, which caused Breakneck to grin. “Before I get started, I’m going to ask Deacon, Rev, and Bishop to come up here and help me like they used to.”

While Deacon shot off the bench, Rev furiously shook his headback and forth. “Oh hell no,” he said.

“Oh, go on, honey,” Annabel urged beside him.

Rev opened his mouth to argue, but Deacon interrupted him by grabbing his arm and dragging him up off his seat. “Come on, B. Help me get his ass up there.”

With a chuckle, I got up and took Rev’s free arm. “Asshole,”

Rev muttered as we pulled him through the crowd and onto the stage riser. Breakneck motioned to the microphone stand beside him so we could do the harmony on the chorus.

Once we were assembled, Breakneck lifted his gaze to the sky. “This one’s for you guys— Preacher Man and Case.” He then gazed back out into the crowd. “Here’s ‘The Weight.’”

Breakneck started strumming the opening of the song I knew so well. Closing my eyes for a moment, I could see myself riding on the back of Preacher Man’s bike, my arms wrapped tight around him as “The Weight” blared out of the radio speakers. I could always feel him humming along when I rested my head on his back.

“‘I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling ’bout half past dead,’ ”

Breakneck began in his smooth voice. So much had happened since the last time I heard him sing. We’d all faced our own personal tragedies. We’d lost a father, Kim lost a husband, and Breakneck lost a daughter, all to the violence of the MC world.

When it came time for the chorus, Deacon, Rev, and I leaned in around the microphone and sang our hearts out. Once the song ended, we received thunderous applause and whistles. I smacked Deacon and Rev on the back. “Felt good to do that again.”

Deacon grinned. “It sure as hell did.”

“Yeah. It did,” Rev said, smiling.

After I hopped down off the stage, I headed straight for Samantha. She jumped up off the bench and threw her arms around my neck to give me a hug. “That was awesome!”

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “I think you’re just a little bit prejudiced,” I said as she pulled away.

“Nope. I just call it as I see it.”

Deacon and Rev appeared beside us then. “We still got it, huh?”