Page 127 of Kings Against the World
She rolls her eyes. “I’m in college, actually. Vodka and cranberry.”
“Sure, dollface. I just need to see some ID. Big Ed would kill me otherwise.”
“Never mind.” She spins on her heel and wanders off, disappearing in the crowd.
Mick waits ’til he’s sure she’s gone, then raises both his thick white brows at us. “That girl can’t be older than twenty. She damn sure can’t be twenty-one… or I’m the goddamn crypt keeper.”
“There is a slight resemblance,” I joke to his moody scowl. “But for real, you’re right. What’s she doing running around in biker bars? Big Ed or Moses know she was here?”
“Doubt it,” answers Silver. “Neither of them came out tonight. I should probably go make sure she has a ride home. Big Eddie would kill everybody here tonight if we let something happen to his niece.”
He disappears from my side as I shake my head and take my first sip from my Diet Coke. “Silver’s such a dad.”
“He’s right. That girl has no business being here… especially underaged.”
“I started drinking when I was fifteen. Mighta been fourteen. So twenty’s nothing. Then again, I’m no role model.”
“You’re a better man than you think you are, Oz. I’ve always told you that.”
Zoe takes the stool that Silver was just in, catching the last part of our conversation. She curls her fingers around the drink that’s hers and says, “Game’s over. Mace and Sydney couldn’t keep their hands off each other so they went home. We won.”
“Standard. We would’ve won anyway. Sydney can’t play pool for shit.”
“What are you two talking about? I heard Mick’s compliment. I’d say I agree.”
Heat creeps up the back of my neck as I put my arm around her waist. “Thanks, babe. Means a lot coming from you.”
“Will any of you make it to midnight?” Mick asks accusatorially. “’Cuz it’s sure looking like you two are next to go.”
Mick’s mostly right—me and Zoe stick it out for another hour and a half, but as the clock closes in on midnight, we decide to ditch the Steel Saloon.
Zoe swings onto the back of my bike, her arms wrapping tight around my waist like she never plans to let go. The deep growl of my Softail Deluxe cuts through the stillness, a roar reverberating in the Texas night. As I twist the throttle, we shoot forward, tires eating up the gravel below, the wind slicing against us.
It doesn’t take us long before we’re flying by the welcome sign for Pulsboro.
The road stretches ahead, an endless black ribbon paved across the landscape. The stars above are scattered like diamonds across a velvet sky, brighter than they ever are in the city. Fireworks begin to pop and crackle overhead as the countdown to the New Year officially starts.
Zoe’s hold on me tightens, and I can feel the press of her cheek against my back, the warmth of her body melting into mine. Every so often, she shifts just enough for me to catch the smallest sigh of contentment, barely audible over the rumble of the engine. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, knowing that we’re together and get to share moments like this.
We ride for miles, the empty highway stretching endlessly as if we could just keep going forever. We probably will some other day, when the mood strikes us to go on an adventure. I’ve already promised to give Zoe riding lessons so she can get a bike of her own soon. Then we can rule these roads side by side like we’ve done so many other things.
Eventually, Pulsboro calls us back, the distant bursts of fireworks brightening the sky, flashes of gold, silver, red, blue, and every other color you can think of. I ease off the throttle,guiding us toward the ravine next to the trailer park, where the land dips low and the water streams through.
Zoe slides off the bike first, stretching her legs before sinking down into the grass. I follow, settling beside her, close enough that our shoulders brush. She tips her head up to watch the last of the fireworks show, her expression thoughtful.
I’m busy counting my lucky stars. Thanking the Big Guy upstairs—if he’s real—that I’ve managed to bag a catch like her.
“Happy New Year,” she says, aiming a smirk at me.
I lean closer and press a slow kiss to her mouth. “Happy New Year, babe.”
We sit for a long time, mostly in silence, taking in the dark landscape and bright, glittery sky, and then we finally do call it a night.
The air turns colder, the chill making us shudder. I pull her to her feet and our fingers stay intertwined as we head inside, ready for the rest of our future to begin tomorrow.
TO BE CONTINUED…
