that needs to know. Send her a message or give her a call. Let us know when you get where you’re stayin’ tonight. Yeah?’
“For sure.”
“Be safe, Joelle. Love you.” Dad hugged me.
“Love you so much, Dad. See you soon.”
Christian grabbed my suitcase. I grabbed my purse and followed him and Dad down the hall.
Jenna, Pippa, and Ella saw us off with hugs for both of us and then my brothers hugged me and shook Christian’s hand.
Christian stopped in front of Deacon and took his hand in a bro-shake, putting his free hand on my brother’s shoulder.
“It’d mean a lot if you’d be my best man, brother,” Christian asked.
Deacon smiled. “Absolutely, Fork.”
I got all misty-eyed. So did Ella.
Ella and I hugged it out one more time and then everyone waved at us. We got outside and I saw his truck had Deacon’s toy hauler attached. I knew his Harley was inside.
I looked at my motorcycle parked there and bit my lip.
“You want it to come? You wanna ride back, there’s room in the hauler for your hog.”
“Naw,” I said smiling. “I wanna ride on the back of your bike.”
My mind flitted back to our first conversation in the TV room. Now here I was. I had been put over his knee and I was getting put on the back of his bike. My perseverance paid off. This. Was. Incredible.
“Good. That’s exactly what I hoped you’d say.” He squeezed my hand and threw my bag into the back seat where I could see there was already his bag along with the still packed bags from our mini road trip.
“Only a special man would make me wanna ride on the back of his bike,” I whispered.
His eyes sparkled. He knew I was talking about that first conversation in the TV room where I told him only a special man would make me wanna ride ‘bitch.’
“I guess we’ll have to travel light with the bike,” I said.
“I’ve done plenty of long road trips on my bike; I can roll our shit tight. Plus we’ll just take enough for a few days and then stop ‘n buy more shit and mail our laundry home.”
I smiled. “My man has a plan. And any plan that includes buying more shit is a plan I like.”
He kissed me and then swatted my butt and opened my door.
Dad, Ride, Spencer, and Deacon all made a face at the butt swat. I saw a jaw go tight, a fist clench, some flaring nostrils and a lip curl. Dad looked away and made a sound at the back of his throat.
Too bad. They’d just have to get used to it. I’d seen every single one of them put their hands on their women. He closed my door for me, and everyone waved us out.
14
We were in a motel, a nearly decimated pizza beside us, and I was lying on my belly with my feet in the air, my chin on his chest, looking at him.
We’d been talking about our post-wedding road trip plans. He tucked my hair behind my ear. “Feelin’ conflicted, babe.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Let me help you work it out.”
He smiled and shook his head slow, like I was a dream come true. My heart spasmed beautifully at the look on his face.
“We’re heading through Wyoming tomorrow on the way to Vegas,” he said, playing with a lock of hair.
“Your mom?” I asked.
He looked surprised.
“I already thought about this. I was gonna suggest we see her on the way but hadn’t worked out a way to bring it up. It’d be good if you two patched things up. If she’s worthy, that is. Unless she’s---”
“Wanna get you my grandmother’s rings.”
I blinked, surprised.
“Beautiful rings. Loved my grams. She died when I was eight and told me that her rings were for me to give to a girl someday. Told me to pick a good one. Didn’t think I’d need them. Didn’t think I’d meet anyone worth that. But I did.”
I bit my lip.
“Heard Jonny got engaged a few months back,” he said.
“Jonny?”
“Jonathan. My younger brother. My brother woulda got my grandfather’s watch and his wedding band.”
“Oh.”
“If his woman is wearin’ that engagement ring, I’m gonna be fuckin’ pissed.”
I winced.
“They’re yours, Jojo.”
“Call your mom,” I said. “Invite her to come if you want.”
He blew out a breath.
“Or don’t. We can just go get the rings and then leave. Why don’t you guys talk? Is she not---”
“She had to leave me with him.” His eyes were filled with so much pain I