Page 59 of Dutch

"Come on, let's do some old people shit and go take a nap." He laughed.

It was now or never.I gripped the edges of the countertop, trying to work up my nerves. "I'm opening a bike restoration business," I announced, happy the words tumbled out of my mouth.

Makari's eyes shot up. "For real? That's a great idea."

I grinned, my smile spreading across my face. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it for a while now.

"Damn, that's big!"

"Yeah, I'm ready for something new."

"What's your plan?" she asked.

I launched my business plan detailing potential locations and the types of bikes I wanted to work on, and my excitement took over. Knowing she was an artist her eyes lit up when I mentioned her possibly doing custom paint jobs.

"This could be good, really good!" she gushed.

I nodded as her expression changed. She bit her lip in contemplation.

"What?" I asked. "What's going on in your pretty little head?"

"I need a favor. Can you take me to my storage unit?"

The request caught me off guard, but I was game. "Are you sure?"

Makari nodded. "Yeah, you're moving forward, so maybe I should, too."

We grabbed our jackets and headed outside to my bike. After a short ride across town, I pulled up to the storage unit, and she approached unit thirty-two. Makari pulled out her keys and opened the lock, pulling the door up.

"Shit, I should have a sale and get rid of some of this stuff," she commented.

I watched as she moved a few boxes before it caught my eye. "Is that?—?"

Makari was already pulling the dusty tarp back, revealing a motorcycle. I could see its potential.

"Damn." I circled the bike. "This is a beauty."

Makari ran her hand over the handlebars, leaving a clean streak. "It was his pride and joy," she softly stated. Finally, she looked up at me. "I want you to take it, restore it, sell it. Use it to kick start your business."

I blinked hard, surprised by the offer. "What? No, this is Malakai's?—"

She cut me off. "Was. And he'd want it to be loved, not rotting away in storage. Time to let it go."

I nodded. This wasn't just some bike. It was a piece of her brother, a link to her past. "Thank you, I'll do it."

I gave Makari a big bear hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.

"He'd like that," she said, giving it one last pat before turning away.

Weeks later, I led Makari through the house in a blindfold. My heart pounded like I was about to pull off a heist. She was moving slowly and cautiously.

"Dutch, what are you doing? It'd better not be no funny shit," she warned, the familiar sass in her voice as she gripped my hand tight.

I chuckled. "Weird shit is my specialty, darling, but I think you'll like it."

"Mm-hmm, the last time a man told me that, I ended up with a unicorn tattoo on my ass." She laughed.

"Damn, and here I thought you were being original with the unicorn ass tat." I laughed.

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