“Nah,” he said, smiling. “They’re probably happy to ride, even in the shit.”
“Until one of them goes down because it’s fucking snowing.”
He leaned forward to look at the sky above us. “I think we’ll make it through before it gets bad,” he argued. “Rain’s nothing. They’re used to it.”
“I’m going to miss the sun,” I said wistfully. “But it’ll be nice to have actual seasons again if we stay that long.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “That’s one of the things I missed most. The fall when it starts getting cooler and everything smells like wet leaves. You never really get that in San Diego.”
“And Christmas trees,” I said, looking in the rearview mirror again. Mark seemed calm, but I was still on high alert. “They’re so expensive in San Diego.”
“I know, right?” he replied. “Nothing like paying twenty bucks to some roadside stand for a seven-foot tree.”
“In San Diego, I always paid at least a hundred for a small one for my condo,” I confessed. “The fake ones just don’t do it for me.”
“They don’t smell,” we both said at the same time. Mark laughed.
“What’s the point of a Christmas tree if it doesn’t make the house smell like Christmas?”
“Agreed,” he replied.
We lapsed into an easy silence, and long before I was ready, we took an exit that led to a rest stop right off the freeway. Sitting up straight, I stared through the front windshield trying to see something beyond the rain. Suddenly, a whole row of headlights flashed on, and I felt tears clog my throat.
I hadn’t wanted them there. I still didn’t want them involved. But, Jesus, it felt good to know that they were.
“Say hello to the cavalry,” Mark mumbled.
Though he’d never say so, and would probably deny it, I could tell he was bracing himself for whatever came next. He was on good terms with the club, he always had been, but he also wasn’t one of them. It had been his decision, but I imagined it still probably stung a little.
“We’re not stopping long,” he said as I grabbed my purse from the floorboard. “Quick hello and we’re back on the road again.”
“Got it,” I said, throwing open my door. “But I’m not going anywhere without a weapon.”
Mark grinned. “Smart girl.”
“Woman,” I corrected.
“My girl,” he argued. He turned and hopped out of his side of the truck, leaving me there with my face slack and a warm feeling burning up my chest. Dammit. I threw the hood of my sweatshirt up and stepped out into the rain.
“These are Woody’s people,” my dad was saying as I rounded the hood of the pickup.
“Hell,” my Uncle Grease said, reaching out to shake Mark’s hand and slap him hard on the shoulder. “I thought we were your people.”
“Always,” Mark replied with a smile. “This is my team—Forrest, Eli and Lu. The others will meet up with us in Eugene.”
“There she is,” my cousin Tommy said happily, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “Long time, no see, cousin.”
“Jesus, Tommy,” I complained. “You’re soaked.”
“Is that a problem?” he asked as he held me tighter, wrapping his other arm around me. “I’m not getting you wet, am I?”
I could feel the water soaking through my sweatshirt, and I squirmed to get free.
“She’s been sick,” Mark said, his tone far from amused. “Not a good idea.”
“How’s it goin’, Mouth?” Tommy asked. I pinched him hard in the side. He knew Mark had never liked that nickname. He was being an ass on purpose, but he let me go, anyway.
I looked around the group. My Uncle Grease, cousins Will and Tommy, the Aces’ president Dragon and his son, my ex, Leo, had all ridden down to meet us. I was surprised that they hadn’t brought more men until my dad spoke.
“Kept this quiet?” he asked Dragon.
“Just like you asked,” Dragon confirmed. “Any problems?”
“Fuck,” my dad muttered, shaking his head as he drug the word out.
“Like that, is it?” Dragon replied, glancing at me. I stiffened.
“I’ll fill you in when we’re not getting’ pissed on,” my dad said, gesturing to the rain.
“Sounds good,” Dragon said. He nodded at me and Mark and headed for his bike.
“That went well,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Good to see you, sweetheart,” my uncle said, coming forward to give me a hug. “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too. How’s Rose?” I asked, breathing in the scent of leather and tobacco smoke.
“She’s doin’ good,” he said with a squeeze. “Thankfully. We’ll catch up more when we get home, yeah?”