Page 44 of Rocky Top

Rocky just leaned against the doorframe, looking too damn fine in jeans, boots, and a black Henley that stretched across his chest like it was made to test my self-control. As Iscrambled around inside, I shouted, “Is it weird I’m more excited for this than my own love life?”

“Sunshine, your love life’s just gettin’ warmed up,” he said loud enough for me to hear, and I swear I nearly dropped my mascara wand.

Ten minutes later, because I am a miracle worker, I was hopping on the back of Rocky’s Harley like a damn Pinterest board exploded on me. Oversized sunglasses, fresh mani in electric pink, hell, even my purse matched. Knox was already waiting on his, sunglasses on, smirking like he knew some secret the rest of us didn’t.

We rode out, the wind in my hair and sunshine on my cheeks, heart racing with joy and confusion. Rocky’s back was warm under my hands, and the feel of his body moving beneath me had me thinking very unholy things. Again. Why didn’t this biker come in last night?

By the time we pulled into the little jewelry store in Knoxville, my thighs were warm, and my brain was mush. Inside, the place glittered with glass cases and gold trim, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the man beside me and the one about to pop the question.

Knox scanned the cases like he was casing the joint. “I want somethin’ special,” he said. “Not too fancy. But it’s gotta mean somethin’.”

I wandered past rows of glittering bands until one caught my eye, delicate, shaped like a butterfly in mid-flight.

“This one,” I whispered, my throat thick. “She said once you gave her butterflies. This… this feels like my Eliza.”

Knox stared at it for a long moment. “My Eliza,” he challenged. “That’s the one.”

He bought it without blinking, like money was no object when it came to Eliza. I tried not to cry in a public store like a fool, but I felt every ounce of love in that little box. Watching a biker like Knox go soft for someone. Well, it was enough to make a girl believe in fairy tales.

We walked out into the sun, and Knox pulled me in for a half hug. “You picked good, Birdie. She’s gonna love it.”

“You better make sure she cries,” I teased, wiping a tear from my own cheek.

“I’ll make her cry,” he said with a wink before hopping on his bike. “Y’all behave.”

He roared off down the road, leaving me alone with Rocky.

We didn’t speak for a second, just stood there in the hum of engines and late-morning traffic. Then he reached out and brushed a piece of hair from my face.

“Wanna come back to the clubhouse? Help me wrangle the boys for tonight’s celebration?”

“I don’t know,” I said, biting my lip. “Will there be cake?”

“No cake unless Jolene’s bringing one later,” he said, grabbing my waist. “Look, I don’t know the particulars. Womenfolk plannin’ it mostly. But there’s beer. And me.”

“Well, hell. That’ll do.”

Back at the Wild Dog, the party prep was in full swing. Bikers moved tables and cursed at decorations, and I found myself hauled into a whirlwind of activity. Someone handed me a box of plastic champagne flutes, and Smokey, yes, the fire fighter, pulled me into a corner with ideas for mood lighting.

But the best part?

Rocky didn’t leave my side. Not for long.

He didn’t say we were together, not out loud. But the way he touched the small of my back, the way his hand lingered on my waist, the way his eyes tracked me across the room like a hawk—yeah. It was starting to feel like something.

Until Bandit showed up.

Now, I’d seen Bandit around before. He was my age, cocky, charming, and always wore sunglasses indoors like he thought he’d give me a run for my money. He also hit on me once and had been smirking my way ever since.

“Hey there, pretty girl,” he said, sidling up while I was hanging a banner that readCONGRATS, ELIZA & KNOXin crooked letters. “You lookin’ mighty fine for this shit hole.”

I laughed, trying to play nice. “Thanks, Bandit. I’m just trying not to staple my own hand to the wall.”

He moved closer. “If that big bad wolf ain’t treating you right, you let me know.”

I stiffened, caught between annoyance and shock. “What?”

That’s when I heard it, a deep, throaty growl behind me.

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