Page 91 of Chasing After You
The green highway signs started appearing more frequently, counting down the miles to Yakima. Josh was now squinting atthe GPS on his phone as if he didn’t quite trust it.
“It says we’re supposed to get off at the next exit and then go through some industrial park… weird place for a meetup.”
I shrugged. “Probably intentional. Easier to park a ton of bikes without getting in trouble.”
After pulling off the highway, he nodded and rolled the window down farther. The wind whipped through the car. I reached over and ran my fingers through his short hair. He leaned into it unconsciously, and something in my chest pulled tight.
“Almost there now,” I murmured.
Josh grinned and leaned his head back against the seat. The whole ride, he’d had a faint blush painted across his cheeks. I was guessing that was from what was going on under his pants.
The industrial park came into view not long after. It was all low buildings with sun-bleached signage and patches of dirt masquerading as landscaping. At the far end, a warehouse lot buzzed with life. I slowed the car, taking in the sea of gleaming motorcycles, patched leather jackets, and men clustered around a smoker rig that was sending out mouthwatering plumes of barbecue smoke.
Josh sat up straighter. “Wow, this is a lot bigger than I expected.”
“You sure this is it?” I asked, scanning the perimeter. My fingers twitched on the steering wheel.
He nodded. “That’s Paul’s bike. The one with the red tank and black skull decal.”
I pulled into the lot and parked on the edge of the space. Several of the bikers turned to look as we got out—some with mild curiosity, others with a stillness I recognized instantly. The kind of stillness that came from watching people who might be a threat.
I put a hand on the small of Josh’s back as we approached, claiming my territory.
A tall man broke off from the crowd, walking toward us with a casual stride that didn’t quite hide how carefully he was looking us over. He was older, with gray in his beard and sun-worn lines around his eyes. He didn’t look like someone I was supposedly related to.
“Paul,” Josh breathed, then smiled brightly and turned towards me. “That’s him!”
I stepped back slightly as Josh jogged the last few feet and wrapped his arms around the man. Paul hugged him tight, clapped him on the back, and grinned.
“Damn, kid,” Paul said, voice gravelly. “What the hell have you been eating? You haven’t lost an ounce of muscle since I last saw you.”
“And you haven’t lost any hair,” Josh joked, poking fun at the man’s shiny bald head.
Paul looked over Josh’s shoulder at me, his gaze assessing.
Josh turned, still smiling. “Paul, this is Dorian. My—uh, my boyfriend.”
There was a half-second beat too long before Paul extended his hand.
“Dorian,” he said neutrally. “You better be taking care of my Josh here.”
I took the offered hand and shook it once. Firm. Respectful. I didn’t bother pretending to be something I wasn’t. But I also didn’t want to be the reason this moment soured. Still, I couldn’t help gritting my teeth at another man claiming Josh ashis.
Josh stepped between us like a bridge, still glowing. “You said we could crash here for a bit and catch up?”
“Yeah,” Paul said, eyes still on me. “We’ve got some suites booked at the lodge just up the road. I reserved one for you, soyou don’t need to worry about driving back tonight. Food’s still hot if you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” Josh said. “I thought I filled up on the gummy worms, but I guess my stomach wants something a bit more substantial.”
Paul laughed, giving Josh a fond look. “Alright. Come on, then.”
He turned, and Josh followed easily. I fell into step behind them, my shoulders loose, but my mind alert.
I hadn’t missed the slight tension in Paul’s handshake. The not-so-subtle way he looked me up and down, as if calculating whether or not I was good enough for the boy he raised.
But if he recognized me, he made no mention of it.
We wove through the sea of leather and chrome, the smell of barbecued meat growing thicker with every step. Laughter and the low thrum of engines filled the air, a current of testosterone and camaraderie buzzing beneath it all. Josh walked just ahead of me, animated as he chatted with Paul—his posture loose and comfortable, like he’d gone back in time to college baseball games and his first glimpse of a life without the dark cloud of the Halbrookes hovering over him.
