Page 59 of Harley

“Seriously? Hell, I didn’t sign until today!”

“Doesn’t take much. That game was televised. There has been a lot of attention from other teams, but most guessed you’d sign with Carmine. The word spread the Cubs were courting you, and Carmine is hot at the moment. Which makes you both desirable when you’re announced in the line-up,” Nielson replied.

“Okay. So, what does that mean for me?”

“It means we can get the ball rolling and reply to some of those who’ve tentatively reached out. You’ll also do some interviews, and you need to get used to being famous. That charity game raised a lot of questions, and people are curious to learn more about Harley Michaelson.”

“Not much to know. I won’t discuss my past. And Oakley is to be protected at all costs. I’ll not have her exposed to malicious gossip.”

I waited for Nielson to push, but he nodded. “Carmine is the same with Molly. We can let them have the public persona, the blacksmithing, Cubs, and so on. But we’ll keep your private life just that.”

“Good. I don’t want to be dragged over the coals and have endless questions. Who I was as a child isn’t who I am now. Nielson, I might get five years before fading into obscurity. That means I don’t need shit following me there.”

“Understandable, Harley. Let’s get this contract signed. The Cubs have applied to use some of the footage from the game for promotional use. I can’t see your mother saying no.”

“Probably not,” I agreed.

“Then be prepared to be mired in publicity for the next few months,” Nielson warned, and I nodded, wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into.

Chapter Twelve.

Harley

Iwoke up curled around Oakley as my phone rang. Reaching out, I grabbed it and blinked as I saw it was three a.m. What the hell?

I clicked answer, and Leila spoke.

“Harley, sorry, I know it’s early. I’ve found Aspen and Archer, but Oakley’s parents are already on their way to move them. The Fergusons have been driving for two days.”

“Where are they?” I asked, referring to Aspen and Archer.

“In an asylum in Bellingham, Washington State,” Leila replied.

“Can you send me the details? Oakley and I are moving.” I cut the call after thanking her.

Oakley was yawning as she looked at me.

“Babe, get dressed. We need to catch a flight.”

“Harley, it’s three in the morning,” Oakley murmured and rolled over.

“Leila found Aspen, but your parents are trying to get there first,” I explained as I punched in the number to call the standby pilot.

“What?” Oakley cried, sitting bolt upright.

“Get ready. Don’t worry about luggage, we’ll buy whatever we need there.”

“Where, Harley?”

“Washington State. They’re in Bellingham, and your parents have a couple of days head start on us. Babe, move. I’m calling for Mom’s plane now.”

Oakley was up and moving before I finished speaking.

The captain answered, and I gave him instructions. He said he’d file a flight plan and call the crew. Luckily, Mom paid them good money because emergencies often cropped up. As Oakley dressed, I made a couple more phone calls and got ready too.

Oakley and I crept downstairs and headed out to the garage where my bike was. We roared off without a backwards glance.

On arrival at the hanger, Steven was there looking sleepy. Ten minutes later, Matthias, second in charge of security at the Hall, arrived with a team. And just after him, Doc Gibbons arrived. Half an hour later, we were in the air.

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