Page 5 of Jet

He runs a hand down his face, looking older and wearier than I’d ever seen him.

“I wish I knew about him before. Twenty-three years I’ve missed out on, and if the kid is tracking me down, how well was his home life?”

“Kenny, you know that kids can have the best parents but will still be curious about who they share genetics with,” Mac tells him gently.

“I know you’re right. I just have a feeling,” he looks around the table. “Let’s get down to other business. Keith Ugart has been hanging around Humberton. He hasn’t officially broken his restraining order, but it’s making Michelle nervous he might show up at her work again.”

Echo leans forward. “I think club members should be seen around town. He knows we helped Michelle restart her life. Let’s show him we didn’t go away.”

“Good idea. Can you set that up? I want you to take the lead, Echo, but make sure you don’t take it all on.” I can’t help snorting.

Echo would take an army on by himself if he could.

“Will do, prez,” Echo nods. “I’ll make a spreadsheet for people to sign up.”

Kenny smiles at him fondly. “Sounds great. I think that’s everything. Hopefully, next week, we’ll know more.”

Everyone moves to leave, but I stay back.

“This guy is going to be so fucking lucky he has you as a dad, Kenny. Reed and I are going to smother him in brotherly love.” I tell him when it’s just the two of us in the room.

“I hope so. He sounded like a good kid, but what if he’s small-minded? I don’t want to bring that into our lives.” He groans, closing his eyes.

“If he is, then we’ll see if we can help him open it. Maybe away from Reed and the others, though.” I tack on as an afterthought. Reed is only fifteen and came out as a demi boy two years ago. No queer person needs to be around ignorance, especially not queer youth.

“Thanks, Booker, dunno what I’d do without you, Reed, and your Mom.”

“You’ll never have to find out.” I give him a hug, and then we both head on with our day. I have to get back to the shop and get ready for my next client.

I don’t know what’s going to happen with Kenny’s son. I just really fucking hope he doesn’t break Kenny’s heart.

Chapter three

Nicky

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Max says, biting his lip nervously. He stands on his front doorstep as I finish loading my bags onto the bike. I turn to him and pull him in for a hug.

I’ve been here a week, and I swear the longer I’m around, the harder it is to say goodbye. Maybe when Bron gets signed to a team, I should think about settling down nearby. Or at least stay in the same state. I have to turn down business from all over the country, so my job wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not like I really have to go where the work is. I do it because I love to travel.

Maybe Bron will play for a West Coast team. I do like the warmth.

The DNA test results came in last night, and we have a winner. Kenny, the biker from Oregon, is my father. I’m relieved I don’t have to go all hacker on my parents and destroy their lives. I just don’t have the energy.

“I’m going to be fine. You need to stay here. You’ve got a game in two days and this is a five-hour trip. Plus, I’ve already seen that the next town over from where we’re meeting has a gay bar.I’m going to have a great time finding a hookup to release any tension from the ride,” I pull back so he can see me waggle my eyebrows, earning me a smile and an eye roll.

“I just worry about you. You don’t know anything about this man other than he’s part of a motorcycle club in Oregon.”

“I also know his name is Kenny, and I know that the motorcycle club helps victims of domestic abuse and at-risk queer teens.”

“What if that is all front and they’re actually smuggling drugs?” he says, nervously biting his bottom lip. I give him a look. “You know you shouldn’t stereotype. Just because you watched that one show doesn’t mean that every motorcycle club is going to be like that.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, it’s just… I wish I could be there for you like you’ve always been there for me.”

“I wasn’t there when you first moved to LHU and had issues with Bron.”

“Yeah, but that all turned out great,” he says, and I smile, knowing he’s fallen into my trap.

“Exactly dude, and so will this. Just trust me, okay?” He nods. Good enough for me. “I promise I will keep you updated, and I will even turn on my location the whole time so you can keep track of me.”

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