Page 106 of Bronco

He grunts. “Of course I would. Erica’s important to you, and then there’s Olive to think of.”

“I can’t believe she did this. We could’ve come up with a plan together.” I can barely get the words out. I keep thinking how terrified Erica must be, and how desperate she was to do what she did. I know how that feels because I’ve lived it. We both have.

“No point dwellin’ on that now. She did what she did, and when she’s back safe and sound, you can have it out with her then.”

“Hurry back, but don’t hurry… I mean, don’t put yourself in danger…”

“I’ve got Titan with me, we’re all gonna be fine. I’ll be there soon.”

“I lov—” I stop.What the heck?The phone goes dead. He already hung up. I swallow hard, not even bothering to wipe the tears away. My words are whispered so softly, I’m not evensure if they drift off my tongue when I say out loud, “I love you, Bronco.”

Maybe I’ve always known it, or maybe I’m just feeling emotional because of everything that went down today, but I know one thing. I can’t live without him. I just don’t know how to tell him that the game has changed.

21

BRONCO

“Then what happened?”I ask Olive as we drive toward the clubhouse. She’s explaining her day with intense detail, and though she’s well and truly missing her mom, I can tell she’s fitting in and making the best of it. She’s a good kid, quick to learn, as well as polite.

“Our teacher, Ms. Phelps, was so embarrassed, but everyone knows that she and Mr. Edmonds have been dating for a while now. She said yes, and then we all clapped and cheered.”

Coach Edmonds and Olive’s teacher got engaged today in front of the school when he dropped down onto one knee and popped the question. The kids were all extremely excited, and Ms. Phelp’s blush resembled a tomato, according to Olive.

“I’m glad she said yes,” I laugh. “Or poor Coach Edmonds could’ve been in a bit of a pickle.”

“He was smiling from ear to ear,” she announces, giggling.

Titan pokes his head through the console of my truck, and Olive turns to pet his head.

“Even Titan wanted to hear the story.” I grin.

“How come you’re collecting me today, Bronco?”

“Your Aunt got stuck at work, and I was in the neighborhood.”

“Huh.”

“What else did you do in school?”

“We had arts and crafts, and some boys called me Olive pit.”

“You know boys are dumb sometimes?”

She sighs. “Yeah, I know.” Then, “Bronco? What’s your real name?”

I give her a side-eye. “How do you know it’s not Bronco?”

“Don’t most of the other men in the motorcycle club have nicknames?”

Clearly, I’m outmatched. “Yep, they do. I know a biker called Dufus.”

She giggles. “Really?”

“Nah, but I do know one called Hubcap.”

“And I know one called Meatloaf.”

“I thought he was a singer?”

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