Page 66 of Roan

Taking the helmet in his hand, he stares at it, then the bike. “What are we doing? I drew a map.” He takes it from his pocket again and holds it up.

I wink. “It’s a good map.” But I don’t let on what we’re doing. “Take the helmet and put it in my truck.”

He sighs, his shoulders rolling forward. “We don’t have time for riding today.”

I chuckle. “Relax, Cam-man. I got a plan.” I lift the 450 off the bike stand. “Now are you going to help me load the bikes or not.”

“It better be as good as mine.” He hits the garage door button, early morning sun filtering into the shop with each inch it rises.

When it’s open, Tiller’s standing in front of my truck, his hair looking like he took one of those crimping irons to it. “Just so you know,” he begins, putting what looks to be drops in his ear, “I have a nasty ear infection. Can’t hear shit out of my left ear.”

I hand him the bike ramp. “You don’t need to hear for this.”

He sets the ramp on the edge of my tailgate that’s already down. We load three bikes in the back of my truck. Sitting in the front seat next to me, Tiller rolls his head to the side. “Are we even after this?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

Camden slaps the map on the center console, leaning in from the back seat. “Now what?”

I turn my head toward him. “Now we destroy a wedding.” Those might be my last words, but I’ll be goddamned if I’m going to let my girl marry the wrong man.

Just as we’re rolling out of the driveway, around the front of the house, Shade is standing on the front porch, his arms crossed over his chest. Tiller rolls down the window. “Get in, bro.”

He shakes his head, rolling his eyes. “Nah, I’ll pass. You’ll need someone to bail you out.”

Camden’s eyes widen again. “Roan.” He hits my shoulder. “I’m totally serious. Ihaveto be home by three. I can’t get arrested.”

“Uh-huh.”

Don’t worry, he’s not going to get arrested. I might.

An hour later, we’re sitting on our bikes about to do something incredibly stupid.

“What are you doing? Stop taking pictures with your phone and pay attention.”

Camden holds his phone in front of his face staring at it. “I’m taking pictures for Shade. As his best man, he might need me to find a place for them to have a wedding.” He snaps another one of the entrance to the stone sign in front of the San Ysidro Ranch. “They might like it.”

I smile. “They probably won’t when we’re finished.”

Is your heart pounding with anticipation? Are you nervous? Scared? Disappointed? Maybe all the above. Do you see the three of us there at the entrance straddling our bikes?

Well, Tiller and I are. Camden, he can’t even touch the ground on the 450 let alone straddle it. Look at him. He just fell over and into Tiller, and then into me. Now we’re all three picking the bikes up off ground.

“Guys, I need a little help,” Camden grunts, red-faced and trying to lift the bike up.

I look to Tiller who is closest to him. “Help him.”

He doesn’t budge, nor does he look amused. He’s staring at the sign, his head tilted to the right a little. I don’t even want to know what he’s thinking about.

I yank on my helmet in the front. “Tiller!” I scream at him.

Still, nothing. Right. He has an ear infection. Great.

I shove his shoulder. “Tiller!”

Finally, he looks over at me. “What the fuck?” he screams, scowling at me.

I motion to Camden, who’s still trying to lift the bike up off his foot. “Help him.”

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