Page 11 of When You Stayed
Mom didn’t know everything, so I tried not to get frustrated with her. Still, hearing her dismiss this one thing that had defined my life in such a major way was surreal. When I was ten years old, a rival motorcycle club attacked us, during Christmas. They shot at Connor’s family in broad daylight. I watched Uncle Silas’s mouth turn blue as we all worried he’d lose his life right there in the club office. I remembered my mother’s panic attack after my father rode out with the rest of the Stone Riders when they needed to get a doctor. The madman behind it was named Max, his club was the Destroyers. He was technically Rook and Ryle’s uncle, and when he met Rook, instead of killing him, he gave him a warning and left a threat for my family.
“Mom, you know I love you, but the only reason we’ve kept you updated on as much as we have is because of that threat. But we aren’t leaving this to chance or risking the town. Max said he’d be back once we’re older, and he has a debt to settle with you, especially because you’re a Stone.”
“I’m aRyan, have been for well over twenty-five years.” She quipped while tugging open a filing cabinet.
The urge to roll my eyes was strong. My mother was nothing if not stubborn.
“Born a Stone, Mom. Raised by a Stone.”
She waved me off, but she knew I was right. Max held back fromfinishing all of us off that night all those years ago because he wanted his nephews to join him when they grew up. And while Mom didn’t know this, he had been back…and he had left us with enough fear that we made drastic changes within the club.
“I don’t want you getting in over your head…the cops we have on payroll can’t help with this new venture the club has made with the local shops and your construction business.”
While I didn’t like being reminded of it, I knew she was right. If the FBI came sniffing, we’d be ruined.
“I’m being careful, I promise.”
My mom returned to the spot in front of me and clasped my face between her palms. “You’re so young to be carrying such a heavy burden, my love. I want you to find some joy in this life, because the club will never be enough. Not the women, or the loyalty…you need substance, roots to keep you grounded.”
“That’s why I have Gus, Mom.” I joked while pressing a kiss to the top of her head. I already knew the club would never fill that gaping hole in my chest. It had been a long time since I’d touched a woman, and if I were to go for one, she wouldn’t be from the club. I wanted roots. I wanted what my parents had, but I wasn’t sure that was in the cards for me.
Mom patted my chest as she moved back to the filing cabinet. “Speaking of that moody cat, you need to go see him. He’s been more ornery than normal. Honestly, I wish you’d take him home with you.”
I needed to get back to the club before it got too much later. Sliding the straps of my backpack on, I gave my mother one last smile. “I already picked him up. He’s at my house right now.”
“Good, maybe keep him there,” Mom suggested jokingly.
“I could never take him from such opulence, Mom. His standards are far too high.” With a quick kiss to her cheek, I walked out of Dead Roses, aiming for my bike. I was about to straddle it when I caught sight of a flash of gold.
Royce was outside, sipping her iced coffee while talking to some guy with dark, cropped hair. I remembered seeing her with him at the movies one time. She was there, holding popcorn while he held her hip, and the two walked toward some cartoon movie. Anotherthing about Royce was she hated anything that required her to grow up.
She was like the female version of Peter Pan.
Still living at home, still wearing pink like it would go out of style if she stopped. I was even present to see her apply fake tattoos once, with water and a washrag because, according to her sister, Royce could never decide on something as permanent as a tattoo. She still ate Lunchables and even used a kid’s lunch pail for work. She still sucked on lollipops, way too fucking frequently for my sanity. But that was Royce, a pink bubble floating around Rose Ridge without any cares or responsibilities. She was annoyingly unaware of her charm too.
She had a very grown-up set of tits that pushed against almost every shirt she wore, and a high, round ass that practically begged for me to stare at it, but I never did. No matter how tight the leather she wore, or the leggings on the rare chance that she didn’t dress for a ride. I kept my eyes on my feet, to remind myself that they should never be headed in the same direction as Royce Quinn.
Sometimes living in a small town was pure shit, and running into Royce had always been one of the most consistent reasons for that. Which reminded me of what Killian had told me regarding Rodney and the Hollow. If she got her dream job, she’d be here to stay.
If she didn’t…well, then maybe she’d finally leave.
FOUR
ROYCE
Three days had passedsince Rodney gave his three-month ultimatum. Each day felt like I was walking on eggshells. Dad’s comments about handing things over didn’t sit right with me. The way he kept looking at Ford had me staring up at my ceiling two nights in a row, my gut warning me there was something I wasn’t seeing.
That, or they weren’t telling me.
Which meant I had to find an alternative way to get answers.
My plan was set. Eggs were scrambled, toast had been buttered and coffee brewed. Now, I just waited for my mother to come down for breakfast. She only indulged in a savory breakfast during the weekends. Otherwise, she stuck to lighter fare, mostly because she was typically on the run, heading out to the senior center to volunteer. I’d help her whenever I had free time, but lately that wasn’t very often. Which reminded me I had an unread message on the Hollow social media account from a band in Wisconsin. The band was hoping to go on tour, and trying to find local venues along their route to play at. This always sent a thrill through me, checking the calendar and seeing if we could help make their dreams come true. I was scrolling through the month of June for open dates when my mother entered the kitchen.
“Morning.”
“Good morning!” I slid my phone onto the counter.
Mom’s blond hair was frizzed and tangled, which had me frowning at her. “Did you try the sleepy scrunchie?”
