Page 54 of Sweet Revenge for the Bikers

“See?” Sandra gives me a nudge. “You could have everything you need right here. Isn’t the house your dad’s anyway? I know you grew up there, but everyone moves out at some point, right?”

I mean, she’s not wrong, but it feels so definite. If I worked here, I’d have to move here, and the only reason to move here would be Mad Dog, Rebel and Riptide. So accepting a job means accepting so much more than just that.

“Thank you, but I need to clear some things up first to know if I’ll be around. I really appreciate the offer, though.” I actually feel bad turning it down.

Badass just smiles and glances at my compatriots. “How’re the odds looking?”

“We’ve almost stopped betting,” Sandra says immediately.

Rory and Mila look at each other, then they both nod. “Very likely.”

He nods with them. “Alright. I’ll just hold on to the job offer for a week or two, and then you can let me know when you’re ready. No stress, honey.” And then a grizzled biker with a long white beard wants his attention.

Could I do it? Move to the city? Become someone’s old lady and make this dream that I’m in right now last forever? It can’t be that easy. I don’t even know if that’s what the guys would want. They seem like they’re having a good time right now, but does that translate into a forever time?

But…

What am I going back to at this point?

“Okay, stop that. You look thoughtful, and we’re here to have fun,” Rory says, putting a hand on my thigh and giving me a friendly squeeze.

Sandra nods. “We’re the babies here and we need to stick together. Talk to me. Or you can come back to my dog rescue and you can talk to them. They’re excellent listeners, and never judgmental.”

“You have a dog rescue?”

“I’ll tell you the story later, but it has a lot to do with how I ended up with the Eagles when I was sure I’d sworn off biker drama forever. You never know where life will take you, and that’s what we’re talking about now. You.”

“It’s all just happened so fast. I want to trust it, but I’m afraid it will all vanish in a cloud of smoke tomorrow. I don’t know what might happen, or what I’d do if it didn’t work out the way I hope. I don’t even know if what I’m hoping for is even realistic.” I empty my beer, and a moment later it’s magically refilled before I’ve even decided whether I want another one.

“What are you hoping for? You’re allowed to say it,” Sandra urges.

I swallow, and lean in like I’m afraid of anyone else hearing it. Like if I put it out into the world, it’ll jinx me. “I hope Rebel, Mad Dog and Riptide don’t get sick of me and that maybe… maybe we can see where this is going?”

She laughs. “Sick of you? Have you seen the way they look at you when you’re anywhere near?”

“I—no?”

“Girls!” She waves at Rory and Mila, getting their attention. “Do you think Mad Dog and his boys are going to get sick of her?”

We don’t even get an answer, only laughter, like it’s so obvious it doesn’t need saying.

Sandra turns to me. “See?”

I roll my eyes. “You guys are silly.”

“Listen, I’m not going to pretend it will be smooth sailing. You’re right that it’s still early days, but they have set their sights on you. I saw how it happened to Natalie, I know how it happened to me. And if you talk to all the other members of the brunch club, that’s the pattern. They wouldn’t be putting this much time and attention into you if they weren’t halfway committed already. Lock in, because once the guys make up their minds, you’re going to need a crowbar, a restraining order and possibly an anti-tank cannon to keep them away. And even if it doesn’t work out for some reason, they’re not going to throw you out onto the street. We’d all be here to make sure you have somewhere safe to land. We’re family, right?”

“So you’re saying I should go for it?” The idea terrifies me and excites me.

“If you don’t, aren’t you going to regret it? You’re too young to be trapped in a house in the middle of nowhere. I bet you’d be thinking ‘what if’ for the rest of your life, married to a regular guy, living a regular life. You know. Boring.” She grins, obviously trying to rile me up.

And she’s right. If I don’t try, I’ll never know.

It settles something inside me I didn’t know was so wobbly. I want to try. Maybe it’ll work, maybe it won’t, but I need to find out. I’ve been nervous, but now I suddenly feel eager.

Turns out I don’t need to go looking for them. The crowd parts as Rebel, Mad Dog and Riptide push their way through. I grin when I spot them, but it falls off as they get closer. They don’t look happy. Even Sandra goes dead silent when she sees them.

They stop right in front of me, and I know it’s going to be trouble when Rebel says in a dark tone, “Melody, we need to talk.”