5 Bikers for Valentines

“They are if they let a smart, funny, kick-ass chick like you get away,” she countered.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and allowed myself to hurt. I let everything wash over me as tears leaked from my eyes. I let the hurt my mother caused me over the years to impact me. I let the betrayal I felt when I saw the brothers walk away trickle through my body. I let the fact that my father never really wanted anything to do with me rush over my mind.

I let everything out of my system as Lindy stroked my hair.

“It’s okay. I’m right here,” she said.

I cried for the position I had willingly put myself in, even as I wondered what the brothers were doing. Even as I wondered if they were all right.

As I wondered if they would come back.

CHAPTER 28

I opened my eyes Tuesday afternoon and sighed. Another day and still no calls from the guys. I was beginning to think they’d made their decision, that Tyler and Nick had talked with them and they had decided to back away. The thought was agonizing, but I knew I didn’t have a choice in the matter. They were going to make whatever decision was best for them, and there was nothing I could do about that.

I lay there in bed and thought through everything regarding the business. If it was going to take two weeks for the loft renovations and six to seven weeks for the business renovations, then in less than two months the place would be finished. That meant the painting, the decorating, and everything else that was necessary to open our store. The only thing Lindy and I were responsible for now was getting the interior decorator the pieces we wanted to decorate with, the cash register we wanted hooked up, and any clothing racks and shelving we wanted to be set up or mounted.

Then, we would be ready to open.

I was working with the manufacturers now while Lindy was taking care of the advertising. We were putting up flyers around town that showcased pictures of the place Lindy had sketched. It was amazing, the talent she had been hiding, and I was happy to put it to good use. Lindy was getting things printed off today so we could put them up around town this week. Then all we could do was sit back and wait.

I hadn’t spoken to my mother recently, and I was glad. The last thing I wanted to do was witness her antics or deal with her bullshit. I slid out of bed and got myself cleaned up so I could get ready for work, but when I stepped into the shower, it reminded me of the brothers.

The shower I had taken with Nick and Tyler had been fantastic. Nick held me close as the two of us swayed underneath the warm water and Tyler had helped me wash my body down. It was their way of helping me recuperate from our passionate and intimate session. I could feel how much they cared for me when I was with them. I could tell I made them happy. I could feel it when they kissed me

And while I loved all the attention, it served as a bitter reminder that something bad was going on inside the Road Warriors.

I washed myself down and got out of the shower. I took my time getting ready, hoping my mother would wake up and leave before I had to emerge. I dried my hair and styled it for the night, hoping to get some coffee somewhere before I had to make my way into work.

But a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Coming!”

I slipped on my work clothes and rushed dow

n the stairs. My hair was flowing behind me, and the house was silent. My mother wasn’t here, which meant I could take my time getting into work, and the thought made me smile.

The less time she spent here, the less time I had to deal with her for the next couple of weeks.

I pulled the door open and was shocked to see the brothers standing there. Jacob with his black eye, Adam with his limp, and Tanner with his guilty conscience. I stared at the three of them, my eyes darting around as I took in their haggard forms. Just looking at them was a dark reminder that I felt nowhere near as important to them as they were to me.

And the thought made me ache.

“Could we talk?” Jacob asked.

“I’m actually about to leave for work,” I said.

“It’s only five o’clock,” Tanner said.

“I’m getting coffee beforehand. We’re out,” I said.

“You look nice, baby girl,” Adam said.

I cringed at the nickname, cursing myself for buckling when I knew I needed to be strong. Jacob’s voice rumbled in my ears, and Adam’s nickname weakened my knees. Tanner’s dazzling blue eyes held mine as tears crested my eyes, and I looked away before my emotions built any more than they already were.

“Emma,” Tanner said.

“I can’t do this right now,” I said. “I have to go.”