Page 28 of Brooks (Dirty Misfits MC 1)
She snickered. “Am I at least allowed to leave? Or call work?”
I finally turned around to face her. “It probably isn’t for the best until you absolutely have to.”
Porter stood. “There are some leftovers that Brooks set aside for you last night if you’re hungry.”
Raven glared at him. “I want to leave. That’s what I want.”
I stood to my feet. “How about we go for a ride instead? Maybe get some coffee?”
Raven’s face softened as she looked up at me. “Sure, that’s a good start.”
I held out my arm toward the door. “Perfect. I’m pretty sure your coffee shop opens in a little bit. We can take the long way around. Guys?”
Archer waved his hand at me. “You two have fun.”
Porter chuckled. “Bring some coffee back for all of us, too. I think we’re out here.”
I nodded. “I’ll get a to-go jug or whatever and pick up some grounds at the shop.”
Then, I ushered Raven out the door as she ran her fingers through her hair. Trying to make herself look more presentable after a long night’s rest. She didn’t need any of that shit, though. Not the makeup, the fake nails, or the jewelry. She was just as beautiful now as the day I first laid eyes on her in that booth after Gage nudged me and pointed out his “conquest for the evening.”
What a tangled web we all wove together.
Thank fuck I didn’t change out of my clothes last night.
Fourteen
Raven
Riding on the back of Brooks’ bike and getting coffee passed like a daydream. One moment, I was clinging tightly to him, and the next moment I was walking into the coffee shop where Gage had proposed. This place had always been my favorite. I came here every morning for a large dirty chai tea latte and ended my day with a decaf caramel latte and a few desserts for after dinner.
At least, I used to come here all the time.
I hadn’t been in the place since Gage passed.
Nevertheless, Brooks made it as painless as possible. And I tried not to hold it against him that he brought me back to this place. He’d been locked up for a while, how the hell was he supposed to know that I hated this place?
“Raven! Long time no see. Guys! Raven’s back!”
Maggie, the barista that apparently still only worked mornings, rushed around from behind the cash register and came to give me a massive hug. I felt Brooks’ inquisitive eyes on me as she hugged me tightly, so I patted her back with as much feeling as I could muster. She rushed around behind the counter, whipping up my regular morning drink before fulfilling the rest of the order. Brooks got a large black coffee with sugar and a massive cardboard carafe of coffee for the rest of the guys. Then, he got seven bags of dark-roast coffee for the clubhouse before we set our sights back on the road ahead of us.
Only, we took the long way around again.
And found ourselves paused at a scenic overlook.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
My arm twitched around his waist as I sighed. “I didn’t want to seem rude.”
He snickered. “You could’ve told me you didn’t go there anymore. I would’ve understood.”
“I just wasn't ready to answer the questions I’d knew you’d have.”
“Since when have I ever bombarded you with questions when it wasn’t appropriate?”
He had a good point. “Anyway, I haven’t been there in a couple of years now.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
I shrugged. “Just hurts too much.”
“I’ll remember that for next time.”
There’s going to be a next time?
My heart fluttered at the idea, but that fucking guilt swallowed it whole before I could enjoy it.
“I’m sorry for dragging you back into this mess,” Brooks murmured.
I pressed my cheek against his back. “It isn’t your fault. I feel like the blame completely lies with those Black Flag assholes.”
He chuckled. “And I can’t even be of any help right now because I’ve got no fucking clue why they’re already breathing down my throat.”
“Do you think they saw you out there? I mean as they were rushing off?”
He took a pull of his coffee. “I can only operate under the assumption that they did, yes. Which was foolish and reckless of me.”
I nuzzled softly against his leather-clad back. “It’s okay. I know this isn’t your fault.”
A long pause hung between us as the sun rose over the city behind us. We watched mindlessly as the waves lapped at the cliffside that plummeted to the sand before us, and it painted the most serene scene I’d taken in with my eyes in a long time. Gage loved the beach, and I hadn’t been able to bring myself to enjoy it was much as I once did.
But sitting here with Brooks helped with that.
“I’m so sorry about Gage,” he whispered.
