Rhythm of the Road (Lost Kings MC 16)
“We had breakfast.”
Since it seems we have a few minutes after all, I tug her over to my bike, resting my butt on the seat and pulling her between my knees. “You want coffee or something for the road?”
“No.” She loops her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“What about it?”
“My mom. I…I know you’re right. It’s just…”
“Hey.” I tip her chin up with my finger. “I get why she worries about you. She’s been through a lot.”
“I don’t want you to be mad at her.”
“I’m not.” I curl my arms around her waist and kiss the tip of her nose. “Fucking loved the way you stood up for us.”
Her eyes widen. She tries to pull back but I tighten my hold on her.
“I love you, Shelby.”
Of all the places to tell this woman I love her. A cheap motel parking lot isn’t my first choice. But now that I’ve figured out what that warm sensation spreading through my chest is every time I think about her, I can’t stand another second of her not knowing exactly how I feel.
“Logan.” She leans in and kisses me. “I love you too. Been fighting it for a while.”
I draw back. “Why?”
“I don’t have a lot of myself to give right now.” She waves toward the van. “You deserve…more.”
That sounds a lot more ominous than I’m prepared for. “All I need is you. I knew this going in. I’m here for all of it, Shelby.”
“You mean that?”
“I do.” I push her hair back. “Hate leaving you right now. Wouldn’t do it if I hadn’t promised to finish up some things down in Virginia.”
Every word’s the truth. My body’s already protesting the idea of heading in the opposite direction.
“We’ll meet up in a few days.” She bites her lip. “You’ll still be down there, right?”
How can she even ask? I just told her I love her and she’s worried I won’t make the effort to see her? That visit’s the only reason I’m willing to let her go today.
“Fuck yeah. Planning to roll out with you.”
“Really?”
“Think you’ll be okay with that?”
“I’m more than okay with it.” She shifts her gaze and picks at a loose thread on my shoulder. “Tour ends in Texas. I’m supposed to go home for a few days, then up to Tennessee to record…then another tour.”
“I don’t mind dropping in to say hi to your mom.” I grin down at her but she doesn’t laugh.
“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.” She shakes her head quickly.
“I’ll win her over.” Yeah, I’d been pissed about what I overheard. But the woman’s been through some of the worst tragedies life can throw at you and still managed to raise this strong, incredible woman. I can’t blame her for wanting the best for Shelby.
“While you’re recording, I’ll head home to take care of stuff so I’m not in your way.” I have no idea what her recording process entails. I’m damn curious though. Want to worm my way into every single crevice of her life.
“You could never be in the way.”
“Think somewhere in there we can schedule a few days to spend in New York?”
“I’d like that. A lot.”
Relief flows through me. I kiss her forehead. “Good.”Shelby
Once again, Rooster waits until the van pulls away.
He loves me.
Now he knows exactly how I feel about him too.
“You two looked intense. Everything all right?” Trent pushes my blanket to the side and drops down next to me.
“Better than all right.”
“Good.” He glances out the window. “He seems to make you happy.”
“So far, so good.”
“Can you give us a minute, Trent?” Greg jerks his head to the side, dismissing Trent.
Trent pats my leg. “We’ll talk later.” He brushes past Greg, knocking into his shoulder.
I scowl at Greg’s tense face. “What’s going on?”
“I got a call from your mother this morning.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time she’s called Greg. It’s embarrassing as all hell. “I just talked to her last night.”
“She had some…strong opinions about Logan visiting you on tour.”
Anger and frustration bubble up, threatening to leak from my eyes. “That’s not her decision to make.” I stab him with a look. “Or yours.”
He holds his hands up. “I told her that. I’m not sure why she’s so adamant. Logan seems to treat you well. You’re happier when he’s around. He gets you back to us on time. Helps out when he’s here. She doesn’t seem to care about the biker thing—which would be my concern.”
“They’re his family,” I say, annoyed he brought up something he knows nothing about. “And they’ve always been kind to me.”
“Good. That’s all that matters.”
“I’m sorry she called you.”
“Don’t be.” He huffs a short laugh. “That’s my job.”
“Dealing with your twenty-two-year-old client’s mother?” I roll my eyes his way. “Come on, Greg. That’s not in your job description.”
“Will we see Logan again?”
“Uh, yeah. The Virginia dates.” I don’t want to let Greg know Rooster’s planning to join me on the tour after that. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, I’ll feel silly.