5 Bikers for Valentines

The smile dropped from Nick’s face and Tyler spoke quickly. “No, Emma. This has nothing to do with that.”

“The money is from us,” Nick said. “All of us, as a unit. It’s legal, so don’t worry about that. We own some small bike repair and maintenance shops in and around Lucas Corner.”

“Tanner told us about his encounter with you at the warehouse,” Tyler said. “About how much you lit up just talking about the pla

ce you want to open.”

“And with the couple of encounters we’ve had with your mom, it’s clear she hasn’t made your life that easy,” Nick said.

“I still don’t understand how this equates to you guys giving me thirty thousand fucking dollars,” I said.

“We want to help you, Emma,” Nick said.

“Consider part of your loft renovation on us,” Tyler said.

I stared at them dumbly for a moment before I could find my words. While part of me was happy this wasn’t payment for my fucking them all, I was still uncomfortable with the gift. “I’m serious. I really can’t take this from you guys,” I said.

“And we can’t allow you any other excuses to stay under this roof with your toxic mother,” Nick said. “Tanner’s words. Not ours.”

“She is toxic, but I can’t—”

Tears were forming in my eyes as the check trembled in my hands. Thirty thousand dollars was half of what I needed to renovate the loft into an apartment. It would provide the cost of checking the plumbing and electric, and it would furnish the bulk of the space. It would be a huge burden off my shoulders.

I was lost in my thoughts until I felt a pair of lips descend onto my cheek.

I leaned willingly into the warmth as my eyes fluttered closed. An arm slipped around my waist, pulling me into a strong, broad chest. I opened my eyes and saw Tyler standing there, his eyes turned down toward me.

Then I watched as his lips descended to my other cheek.

“Make it the best apartment imaginable,” Nick said.

“You’ve more than earned it with the life you’ve led,” Tyler said.

“I have no idea how I’m going to repay you.”

“It’s not a loan. It’s a gift,” Tyler said as he released me. “So, treat it as such.”

I nodded my head as the two of them smiled back at me, then I watched as they walked to their bikes. I stayed rooted to the porch until they drove off, blending into the horizon as the sun continued to sit high in the sky. My hand was clutching the check like it was a lifeline, which, in many ways it was. I could get out from under my mother and all her drama sooner than I’d anticipated. Everything I wanted was just within my reach. Just as soon as the damn realtor called us back.

My phone ringing upstairs pulled me from my trance, and I quickly shut the door behind me.

I bounded up the stairs as energy coursed through my veins. I had to call Lindy and tell her what the fuck had just happened. Even if I only put half of it toward the apartment, we had another fifteen thousand we could put down in cash to minimize the debt we would dig ourselves into to afford the warehouse.

But the moment I saw Lindy was calling me, I froze.

“Hello?” I asked.

“You’ll never guess who I just got off the phone with,” Lindy said.

“Holy shit. You heard from the realtor.”

“Yes, and it’s good news and bad news.”

“Fuck. What?” I asked.

“The good news is that the owner accepted the offer we made on the warehouse.”

“Holy shit! That’s awesome! Are you fucking serious? Lindy, we have to go to the bank. We need to get that loan approved before we can sign the paperwork.”