Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Just hold on and lean into the curves.”
“Okay. Take it easy on me.”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?”
The engine suddenly roared to life as Sutton throttled the ignition and drove out of the parking lot. The seat vibrated wildly beneath me as we picked up speed, quickly jetting into traffic. Surrounded by the others, we sped out onto the open highway toward the lake. I’d always thought I would be too afraid to enjoy riding, but I was wrong.
I absolutely loved it.
A feeling of pure elation washed over me as we glided down the highway. The sound and speed were a bit overwhelming, but I felt safe riding with Sutton. These guys rode with such confidence that it made them seem invincible, and it gave me a chance to let go and just enjoy the moment. I leaned my head back and let the wind whip around me, momentarily forgetting about Dylan and all the mayhem he’d caused.
I could just breathe and be myself, and it was just what I needed.
When we got to the lake, the guys stopped for a quick smoke break, and they talked for a bit. After a few playful jabs at one another, we got back on the bike and headed back to the clubhouse.
When we got home, I thought back to our ride, and I couldn’t help but smile. It might’ve been my first ride, but it wouldn’t be my last. The days that followed were quiet. We got back to our old routines, and I went for my job interview at the coffee shop and was offered the position on the spot. I was thrilled.
Things were going good.
Really good.
I thought a celebratory dinner was in order, so I went to the kitchen to make us all some spaghetti. I grabbed the ground beef from the fridge and was about to get the spaghetti sauce from the pantry when I noticed a newspaper sitting on the counter. I wasn’t one to read the paper, so I continued about my way.
I grabbed a skillet, and when I started over to the stove, something drew my attention back to the newspaper. I leaned in for a closer look, and that was when I saw Dylan’s picture on the center of the page.
He was wearing his police uniform, and the headline read, “Local Officer Missing After Car Accident, Alcohol Suspect.” My heart stopped as I picked up the paper and started reading. It was quick and to the point. He was driving from Arkansas into Tennessee and swerved into the bridge barrier. The car crashed into the Mississippi River, and his body was thrown from the vehicle. There was a vast search, but due to the river’s forceful current, his remains couldn’t be recovered.
During the search, officers found several empty bottles of booze in the vehicle, and after checking his credit card receipts, they determined that he’d purchased the alcohol just hours before the accident. Even though his remains had not been found, they determined the wreck to be an accident and didn’t suspect foul play.
The article mentioned a memorial had been arranged for the end of the month. A flood of emotions hit me all at once. Sutton and the brothers had taken care of things, just like Sutton promised they would. It was official. Dylan was gone. He couldn’t hurt me or Toby anymore. It was over.
It was really over.
I stared at the article a moment longer, and my mind was still spinning when I heard footsteps behind me. Seconds later, I felt Sutton come up behind me and slip his arms around my waist. “You good?”
“Yeah, thanks to you.”
I looked up at him, and he gave me a slight nod—his way of saying it was done.
“So, I’ve been thinking...”
“Yeah?”
“Since Dylan is no longer out there looking for us, do you think I could have my old name back?”
“Yeah, I don’t see why not.”
“And what about Toby? Do you think he could start back to school?”
“I’ll have to check with Preacher, but it should be okay.”
“Great.” I slipped my arms around his neck. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“I’m the lucky one, babe. Don’t you doubt that for a second.”
Maybe we were both the lucky ones. Maybe that was what love is all about. I couldn’t say for sure. All I knew was that I was happy—really happy, something I never thought I’d be, and I owed it all to him.
Epilogue
Ghost
Six months later...
When I walked in, Casey was sitting at the counter, flipping through an old cookbook. I came up behind her and gave her back a quick scratch. “Whatcha doing?”
“Whoa, wait a minute.” She arched her back with a grimace. “You hit a spot. You need to do it again.”
“What?”
“Get to scratching.” She reached back over her shoulder, trying to reach the spot herself. “It’s right here.”