he handed a wad of cash to Blaine. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Do I even want to know?” Chloe asked, eyeing Justin.
Justin scowled at Blaine and Dwayne and said, “I’m not sure I want to know.”
Tank was heading their way, his watchful eyes taking them all in.
“It’s nothing bad.” Blaine shoved the money in his pocket and said, “We knew you two were going out last night, and we made a bet about today’s ride. Gunner said Maverick would ride alone today. But I know how long he’s been into you, Chloe, and I knew if things went well, he’d either back out of today’s ride to spend the day with you, or he’d show up with you on his bike. One way or the other, I knew he wasn’t going to let you go.”
Chloe put her arm around Justin and said, “How do you know it wasn’t me who wouldn’t let him go?”
“Damn, that’s hot.” Dwayne whistled. “Chloe, you sure Maverick is wicked enough for you?”
“You on the hunt for a ball and chain?” Tank asked.
Dwayne looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “No fucking way.”
Blaine leaned closer to her and said, “We’re still on for skinny-dipping, right?”
“With Justin? Absolutely. With you guys?” She laughed and said, “Not a chance.”
Justin swept her into his arms and said, “And that’s why she’s my girl.”
Chapter Fourteen
WRANGLING WICKEDS WAS a lot like wrangling puppies. They darted off in every direction, endlessly taunting each other. Dwayne and Zander ended up wrestling on the grass over some woman they’d both gone out with. Zeke and Blaine tried to pry them apart and got yanked into the dogpile. Then Justin and Baz decided to take them down as Gavin and Harper came outside. Gavin took one look at the chaos and in the blink of an eye he joined those brawny, tattooed, intimidating bikers who were rolling around in fits of laughter, covered in grass and dirt, like carefree teenagers. Chloe took loads of pictures. When Tank started plucking them out by their collars and tossing them aside, she and Harper doubled over in hysterics. The guys exchanged glances, and in the next second they were chasing Chloe and Harper around the yard. Tank hoisted Chloe over his shoulder and Baz got ahold of Harper. Chloe and Harper squealed and laughed as Justin and Gavin chased after Tank and Baz.
The guys were so different from the friends she usually spent time with, she hadn’t been sure she’d fit in, but she’d never laughed so hard or enjoyed herself so much. By the time they got on the road, she felt like one of the pack.
Chloe had always been a planner. She had to be. There was no one else to do it for her and Serena. Because of that, she always knew what was expected of her, where she was going, and how to get there. Keeping on task and remaining in control had kept her safe, made her an excellent student and a valued employee. She rarely allowed herself to feel truly unencumbered, but as she sped down the open highway plastered to Justin’s back, with the rumble of the engine echoing through her and Justin’s cousins and brothers surrounding them—Tank at the lead, Zeke taking up the rear—that feeling of freedom overtook her again, and her need to remain in control sailed away with the whipping wind. She thought she was past any great metamorphoses in her life, that she was who she would always be. But Justin was helping her shed her old, confining skin, uncovering parts of her that she hadn’t even known existed.
After a while they turned off the highway and drove down a long stretch of two-lane road lined with farms and ranch-style homes. They passed under an arched sign above the road that read HARBORSIDE, WHERE HEAVEN MEETS EARTH. A thrill chased through Chloe. She’d lived on the Cape her whole life, and though she’d heard of Harborside, a small beach town with a boardwalk, known for good surfing and the Taproom, a rustic restaurant/bar located on a pier, she’d never been there.
After a few miles, the road widened to four lanes and farms gave way to grass, sand, and gorgeous beach houses. The group turned into town, passing colorful storefronts and cafés. A beautiful beach came into view. The pier shot out over the water, forming a T at the end where the Taproom was located. Chloe was excited to be in Harborside, which she could already