Page 38 of Jigsaw
“If you are.” I gave him a full smile and nodded.
Dean helped me get onto the back of his bike before we pulled on our helmets and he cranked the bike. I hated wearing a helmet, but with the trip being so long, and other states’ laws, we had to wear them. I got situated with Dean’s ass nestled between my spread legs and my arms wrapped around him before he patted my knee and pulled out of the space.
I gave the apartment I’d rented since moving here three years ago a quick glance before turning my eyes west toward my future.
We were on the road for about three hours when we hit slow-down traffic. Dean looked over his shoulder and asked, “Do you want to stay on the road and get home late, or would you like to get a room and get back on the road early?”
His phone showed a long delay, and the sun was close to setting, so I replied, “Let’s get a room and get started early.”
He nodded and used his turn signal as he maneuvered the bike to the outside lane. After pulling off the exit, we turned into the first hotel we saw. Dean got off the bike, leaving it running as he went inside and got us a room. I sent a quick text to Ghost to let him know what we’d done, and he said Rooster was on the other side of the traffic and still moving toward Rapid City.
Dean returned and pulled the bike in front of the room before turning the engine off and helping me off the back. As we walked inside with the small duffle that had an emergency change of clothes for both of us, I explained to Dean, “Rooster was ahead of the traffic. Ghost said he’ll be in Rapid City in a few hours.”
“I’ll let Roughstock know so he can have someone meet him at our house and take him to the clubhouse to sleep,” Dean said and pulled his phone out of his cut to send a text.
I collapsed onto the bed, feeling the exhaustion wash over me. I hadn’t been that physically active during the move, but boxing up my life then saying goodbye to Ghost and Felix had taken its toll on me. Dean sat on the foot of the bed and placed his hand on my leg.
“Why don’t you get showered, and I’ll order us a pizza to be delivered.”
Sitting up, I leaned over and kissed him softly. “Thank you.”
“For what, darlin’?” he asked.
Standing, I brushed my fingertips down his bearded cheek. “For being a good man and a better husband.”
He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. “Does that mean I get rewarded for a job well done?”
I smiled and explained, “If you can give me a few more days for Aunt Flow to leave, I’ll show you exactly how appreciative I am of you and all you do.”
He stood and popped my ass as he said, “I don’t give a damn about Aunt Flow, but I’ll give you the days. Now, get showered so I can feed my ol’ lady.”
I gave him a mock salute, and he smiled and shook his head as he picked up a folded menu from the dresser for a local pizza place. After shutting the door and getting undressed, I turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up before getting under the powerful spray. It felt great on my achy back and shoulders, so I stayed under the spray longer than usual.
A knock sounded before the door opened. “Are you doing okay, darlin’?”
I stuck my head out of the curtain and noticed the room was filled with steam. “Just loosening my back. I’ll be right out.”
He stepped in and gave me a kiss before pulling the door closed behind him. I exhaled before turning the water off and reaching for a towel. With little effort, I got redressed, making sure Aunt Flow was handled for the night, then I walked out of the bathroom.
The smell of cheese, sauce, and bread hit my nostrils, and my stomach growled from hunger. Dean looked over at me with a smile and lifted the lid to show me a giant Chicago deep dish pizza.
“I thought you might want a taste of home.”
I walked up and pecked his cheek, responding, “I love you.”
He chuckled and said, “And I love you. Now, let’s eat.”
As we sat at the little table in the hotel room, devouring the pizza, I couldn’t help but think how this was one of thousands of memories we were going to make. I thought about the future, and when we were going to have kids, which neither of us was in a rush for, where we would go on vacation, what the club rides would be like, and how our lives would change going forward.
Most people feared change, but I was excited about every new experience, every new day, and every new memory I would make with my husband. For years we’d crossed each others minds, but fate, timing, and the universe felt we needed time apart to be able to reconnect. I was kind of glad we had the years between so we both could grow and become the people we were today.
As we crawled into bed that night, securely wrapped in each other’s arms, I gave a silent thank you to the universe for my second chance with Dean. Some people dreamt of it and it never came to pass. Others ran from it and fate dragged them back to where they were supposed to be.
With Dean, I was clueless to what my actions would cause for him, and he could have hated me for the rest of his life. Instead, he was kind, forgiving, and gave up something important to him, all for me. In that sacrifice, he found where he was meant to be, and along the way, I found the person I was supposed to be.
Then, and only then, did the universe see fit to bring us back together.
And I couldn’t be more grateful.
