Page 45 of Cassie
“We’re rollin’ a massive column tomorrow. Anybody needs any last-minute shit for their ride, you need to get with Brute and Myron ASAP, motherfuckers. Shoulda done it last week, but what the fuck ever. Your Road Captain will be checking your plates and tires, and I ain’t above puttin’ a blade in one I think it’s not gonna make the trip. We got our own fuckin’ garage, boys. Don’t make me open a can on ya.”
That earned laughter from the edges of the room, and Hoss saw other members noting who reacted to the statement.Ten will get you twenty every one of them have baldies. He shook his head. The club would get the members’ bikes ready, including tire changes as needed.
Mason continued, “We got a KSU to meet, and if you aren’t ready to go by then, it will be noted.” He raked his gaze left to right, pausing to stare at Hoss for a moment. “You need to bail early tonight and deal with your own shit, do so. Everyone staying to take care of the home front, know that you’re appreciated.” He straightened and thumped the chair a final time, then lifted one fist into the air. “Shiny side. Let me hear you now, yeah? Rebels forever—” the crowd roared, every man wearing a vest lifting their fist in response as they shouted out, “forever Rebels.”
***
Cassie
The deep-throated rumble of Hoss’ bike caught at her attention and Cassie turned her eyes towards the front windows in time to see the headlight flick off, darkness reclaiming the street. He had a key now, but she liked to greet him at the door so she muted her show as she pushed off the couch and made her way quickly to the entryway, pulling open the interior door. She knew the smile on her face was as big as her happiness at seeing him unexpectedly. When he’d called earlier today, he’d talked about something he needed to do, so she hadn’t anticipated his presence at her door.
When she flipped on the porch light, his expression was solemn, and he grimaced, a look of pain that crossed his features so quickly she nearly missed it. A flinch of the muscles around his mouth, pulling down the corners of his lips. “Hey,” he said softly and reached for the screen door handle. Stepping inside, he laid a hand against her cheek, cupping and steadying her as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Hey there.” She pursued his lips, making him smile when she gave him a resounding smack as she pulled away. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. This is a nice surprise.”
“Yeah?” Hand-in-hand, they moved towards the couch. He took the end cushion and she curled up against him, feet underneath her. He handed her the cup of tea she’d abandoned to open the door. “I missed you and wanted to see you. So—” He shrugged, the movement jerky, uncomfortable to watch. “—here I am.”
“Is everything okay?” She leaned away slightly and studied his face. His eyes looked sad, and he held himself as if he were in pain. “No,” she murmured, answering her own question. “It’s not okay.” She reached across and grabbed the remote, then turned off the TV. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I have a trip coming up.” He stared into her eyes, fingers tightening around her hand. “Soon.”
Why would a trip have him sad?If it were for his art, that would be cause for celebration, even if he didn’t want to be away from home. If it were family, he wouldn’t sound as if it were such a chore. “How soon?” She shook her head. “What’s going on, Hoss? What are you not telling me?”
“Soon-soon.” He trailed his fingertips up her arm, teasing the sensitive skin inside her elbow. “Tomorrow-soon.”
“Tomorrow?” She pulled back, settling on her butt to face him, one leg crooked on the couch in front of her. “You’re going on a trip as of tomorrow? Where are you going?”
“Yeah, tomorrow morning. The club is heading down to Texas in a huge group, one of Mason’s boys is playing in a show down there, and we want to show our support.” She watched his Adam’s apple bob for a moment, saw him grit his teeth together before he continued. “I’ll be gone a while, baby.”
“How long is a while, Hoss?” The swooping feeling in her stomach was nauseating, Cassie felt as if she were unmoored. “You’re flying out tomorrow?”
“Riding.” He blinked and sighed. “We’re riding.”
“Okay.” She closed her eyes, breaking their stare, escaping the pain that was growing in his gaze. “Let’s go back a minute to where I’m happy to see you. If I…” She hesitated, then pushed through the weight of hesitation and fear that clutched at her throat. “If I come over there right now, will you kiss me like you mean it?”
“Baby.” His voice broke and then his hands were on her face, her arms, her waist and he lifted her, pulling her towards him until she settled in his lap. She rested her hands on his shoulders and angled her chin when she felt him leaning into her. Then his mouth was on hers and he kissed her. Deep and slow, his tongue moved against hers, slipping and sliding and he tasted like everything she’d ever wanted in her life. Nipping at her lips, he caught the bottom one between his teeth and let it slip through gently. “Open your eyes, baby.”
She blinked slowly, letting the wetness that had gathered there slide away. His homecoming had felt like a goodbye, but that kiss was all about being glad to be here. “That was what I needed.” The admission cost her little, but from the stricken look on his face, it hit deeply. “No, Hoss. I just meant, I needed you.” She arched up and kissed him softly, caressing him with her lips before she bit his bottom one, pulling back and grinning at him. “Hello there.” He adjusted his arms and she nestled against his chest, resting her cheek over his heart, a feeling of contentment pooling in her heart. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” His voice rumbled through his chest like his bike had the night and she smiled at the mental comparison. “I’m gonna miss you a lot.”
“How long will you be gone? Since you’re riding down, I’m guessing it’s not a fast trip?” He shook his head. “Do you have everything sorted out for the kids?”
His chuckle rumbled, too. “We’re expecting three weeks. Gonna be a long-ass three weeks, I can tell you that right now. And yeah, I’ve got a family friend gonna stay with Faynez when her brother’s out of town for games.” Softer, slower, he asked, “You gonna miss me, Cassie?”
“More than you can know.” He sighed under her ear and his arms tightened around her in a silent hug. “What time tomorrow?”
“In the morning. I told Mason I would get there early to help with everything.” He sighed again. “All the boys said to tell you hello.”
“You got to see them? That’s awesome. When?” His breathing was slow and even, and his hold on her made her feel safe. “I wish I could have seen them.”
“Yeah, they were at the party tonight. Tug told me to tell you to wear your lid, don’t matter how short the ride.” He chuckled. “I told him you were smart enough to figure that out on your own.”
Cassie didn’t respond to the message from their shared friend. She was stuck back at his casual announcement. “There was a party?”
“Uh-huh. At the clubhouse. A preride kickoff kind of thing.”
Her eyes stung, and she blinked. “So a guys-only kind of preride kickoff kind of thing?”
