Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

CHAPTER TWELVE

Holden

They’d made plans to ride on Sunday. Holden knew that Lindsey and Wyatt went to church, so he’d figured it would be after that, but Monroe had told him Wyatt wasn’t going. Apparently, even though Lindsey and his family went, Monroe didn’t. He and Lindsey had made an agreement that Wyatt would be free to choose his own path in that regard and they would both support his decision.

Holden had driven Sean to Everett, where they had a motocross store, and had gotten the kid all hooked up with the right boots and gear—helmet, chest and neck protectors, and all that. It had cost a small fortune, so much that Sean had tried to tell him never mind, but he knew how much his nephew was looking forward to riding, and Holden sure as shit wasn’t going to let him do it unprotected.

While he and Sean would be on four-wheelers, Monroe had said they could also teach Sean to ride Wyatt’s 125 dirt bike.

Holden and Sean met Monroe and Wyatt at the large shed at nine, the way they’d planned.

When they rounded the corner, Monroe was standing outside the building, wearing moto boots, pants, and no shirt. It wasn’t the first time Holden had seen him without a shirt, of course, but he was still struck stupid by it. Jesus, Monroe did it for him—all that tanned skin and the dark hair across his chest. Holden had always loved a furry chest, liked the brush of rough hair against his tongue and burying his face in muscles and wiry fuzz. He wished Monroe had more of it—not that he’d get to do those things to the man.

Monroe had a black ball cap on backward, and he was facing to the side as he said something to Wyatt. Holden hadn’t realized he’d actually stopped to enjoy the view until Sean bumped into him from behind.

“Oh, sorry,” Sean said, making Monroe look over at them.

The right side of his mouth kicked up, and he turned, enabling Holden to see his chest and defined abs from the front.

“Look at the two of you all fancy in your gear. Sorry we didn’t have some for you to borrow,” he said, clearly not realizing Holden was admiring him.

“No worries. It was fun to get it all. Maybe if we like riding, we’ll get our own bikes one day.”

Wyatt said, “I’m about ready to move up to a 250. Dad and I have been talking about it. If so, Sean can probably use my 125.” While Wyatt and Sean were similar in size, Wyatt could no doubt handle more since he was an experienced rider.

“Are you guys gonna sell it?” Holden asked.

“Thinking about it. If so, we can probably work out a sweet deal.” Monroe winked.

It wasn’t meant to be flirty, Holden was sure of it, but damn, did it make his skin heat up. “I’ll have a conversation with Marilee about it.”

“Really? You think so?” Sean asked.

“Maybe. Let’s take it one day at a time. I might be too old for this shit.”

They laughed, and Monroe said, “If I can do it, you can do it.”

“Yeah, but I haven’t ridden since I was young.”

“It’ll come back to you.” Monroe reached over, grabbed his moto jersey off the bike, and tugged it on. Holden fought back the urge to make a flirty joke about missing the view.

Wyatt and Monroe finished getting their gear on, all except the helmets, before the four of them pulled the bikes out and started up the four-wheelers. They gave Sean a quick lesson on running the ATV. He put his helmet on, Holden helped latch it, and then Sean took a few laps around the shed to make sure he had the hang of it.

“Stay close,” Monroe said. “Follow the trail. Don’t go off on your own. I always tell Wyatt—at least one other person with you at all times. Trail riding is different from tracks, in that if you wreck and you’re out there by yourself, it’ll take a while for someone to find you.”

Sean nodded and gave Monroe a thumbs-up. He treated Sean just like he did Wyatt, and that meant the world to him.

Holden climbed onto his ATV, which was the one Monroe usually drove. Monroe and Wyatt got their helmets on and started their bikes, the braaap sound Holden hadn’t heard in years filling the air. They headed toward the trail leading through the trees. Wyatt was first, Monroe second, then Sean, with Holden bringing up the rear. He wanted to be able to keep an eye on Sean in case he had any problems. It seemed Monroe had the same idea, though. The other man kept looking behind him, peeking at Sean and maybe Holden too—forever the protector. It fit him, Holden realized, thinking of Monroe as a guardian who wanted to take care of the people he cared about. Hell, he didn’t even have to know them well. Monroe hadn’t when he’d invited Marilee and Sean to live on his property.