Aspen steps forward and starts rubbing her back.
I hear the girls whispering something to her and watch as Rain nods. Silently, they lead her away from the room.
Panther walks over to me and posts up against the wall.
“This fucking sucks,” he whispers.
“You can say that again,” I say quietly.
He looks over at me and studies me for a moment. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I already know the answer.”
I’m so far from okay, it’s not even funny, but I keep my mouth shut.
“She’s going to need us,” I tell him.
“And she has us. I made a promise to Mustang, and I intend to keep it.”
The word promise and Mustang’s name paired together remind me of a promise he made me make him not that long ago.
Son of a bitch.
I close my eyes and pray.
For the love of all things holy, Mustang, I hope you were talking out of your ass, and you weren’t serious.
“You with me, man?” Panther asks, pulling me back to the present.
“I’m fine. I’m just worried about Rain.”
“You and me both,” he says as he pushes off the wall to head into the room.
I watch as he walks away, and a different type of dread fills me.
Surely he didn’t do what he said he was going to do, right?
CHAPTER
TWO
Rain
It’s a gloomy day.The sky looks like it could open up at any moment. How fitting for the day I say goodbye to my father for the last time.
He didn’t want a traditional funeral where we laid him to rest in the ground. No, my father has always had a wandering soul. He allowed a memorial service at the church, but he wished to be cremated and scattered on one last ride with his brothers.
I want to be mad about it, but how can I? He gave up a good portion of his riding days to stay home and care for me. When his brothers were on the road doing runs and lord knows what else, he passed his duties along, citing family needing him. As much as part of me wishes I had a physical place to visit him, I understand his need to be free.
The pastor is up there speaking about him now. Talking about what a great man he was and how he was loved. It’s not a hard assumption to make from a man who never knew him. The room is filled to the brim with people. Brothers from all over came to give their regards. Even people not associated with theclub showed up. The barber from downtown. The waitress at the local café. The manager of the bank. And so many more.
All people my father met and charmed. People who considered him a friend. They didn’t care about the patch he wore on his chest. That was the power of my father.
Ridge leans over to me. “Did you want to say something?”
“No,” I whisper back.
He nods, then stands before walking to the front of the room.
He has been a real surprise this past week. He hasn’t left my side once. He hasn’t snapped at me or spoken to me in a condescending way. He has been kind and attentive.