Page 6 of Thunder

“Only two hundred and forty-nine thousand to go.”

Chapter 1

Thunder – Seven Months Later

My phone rings for the fifth time in the space of ten minutes. I pick up speed as I change lanes and move over towards the shoulder, checking my mirrors as I do before I pull up right next to the barrier. I press the side button on my phone that is strapped on my handlebars to see what is so important at the constant calling, the ringing in my helmet pissing me off but I smile at the name.

Brit

“Hey, little sister,” I answer without hesitation as I push up my helmet visor.

“Unc, unc?” a sweet little voice whispers, echoing in my helmet. I grin wider as I lean back slightly, trying to stretch out my throbbing knee while rolling my right shoulder.

“Bailey Bell,” I murmur softly, “Was it you continuously calling me?”

“I miss wew, and Lew-Lew misses wew,” she replies, and I swear my heart fucking pulls as guilt fills me.

I wasn’t supposed to be gone for this long. Doc agreed I could ride for five months to get my head straight. The longer I rode, the freer I fucking felt, and I kept putting off going home. Everyone there is playing happy families while I’m struggling with pain because it’s all I can focus on.

I really should have come up with better ways to keep the club together.

Having had several missed calls, I thought it was Doc who was trying to get me to return home like my dad has tried since I left. Nope, instead it’s my sweet little niece who has her mother's sweet nature.

“I miss you both too, sweet girl,” I say as horns blare behind me.

Being away from the kids, it’s hard because I’m always there for them, always helping them. Especially Bailey Bell and Lewis, my nearly three-year-old nephew along with June, my one-year-old niece, and yeah, I feel guilty. I feel guilty that I’m away from my sister who is keeping her mama at arm's length, but I just- fuck me- I needed this, still need this.

I can feel myself getting angry and frustrated with the constant pain, and being home won’t help me. Like fuck am I telling my sister or brother-in-law about my pain.

“Come home, Unc,” Bailey whispers, and I wince.

Shit.

“I can’t right now, sweet girl, but I promise to always speak to you until I can,” I say softly, and the sweetheart sniffles, breaking my fucking heart.

“But who take me to daycare?” she mumbles and I sigh.

“Your daddy, sweet girl, or gramps,” I say softly instead of correcting her, “and as soon as I do come home, I promise, I will take you to daycare.”

“Kay,” she whispers before I hear, “Breaking my daughter's heart again, big brother?”

“That’s just mean,” I grumble, “It isn’t like I want to hurt Bails, Brit.”

“Then don’t, come home,” she says matter-of-factly, “Preferably before I force my husband to come and get you.”

I roll my eyes and remind her, “Doc is aware I’m not ready, so he won’t come and find me, little sister.”

“He will if I bring another dog home,” she retorts, and I roll my eyes.

Over the years, fuck, Brit has brought several animals home. Ace has only taken three of them in, meaning Doc is at the end of his tether but he knew who he got with.

My little sister is a vet nurse, and even before finding her passion, she had always gravitated towards animals. Which meant bringing them home, much to Dad's dismay. It started off small, you know, the stray cat here, the injured bunny there, but then she began working at the local vet office. All it took was for the wrong owner to walk in for her helping strays to turn into a felony of animal napping.

Twelve fucking dogs she stole from her office with the help of Trigger's old lady, Ashley, who has also gotten into the stealing game.

Those two give the Untamed a run for their fucking money I tell yah.

“Fuck, I really shouldn’t have helped you regain your memories,” I mutter, and she gasps dramatically, making me snort, before I remind her, “Doc said if you bring home any more animals then he’ll go to your boss personally.”