She throws her bag over her shoulder as she kisses me one more time before heading two doors down. I love having her just two doors away, but it makes working such a distraction. A lucky bastard like me doesn’t just ignore the fact that the girl of his dreams is just a ten-second walk away. I can’t help it when I sneak out of the shop and slide into the bookstore to get a taste of her lips.

Things don’t normally happen so easily for me. My whole life has been one fight and failure after another. I fought for my brother and I failed. Until I just stopped fighting. When Sierra came along, I didn’t deserve her, but that didn’t stop her from pulling me from the lowest point I’ve ever fallen. Her love was my beacon and still is.

A couple hours later, Rafe and Murph show up at the shop together, which is surprising. We don’t technically open for another couple hours, but I keep myself busy with commissions and sketches.

“You’re coming with us,” Rafe says with his arms crossed.

“You know it makes me nervous when you say that,” I quip back with a smirk. “Where are we going?”

“It’s kind of a surprise,” Murph answers, which makes me laugh. Murph is not the kind of guy to do surprises.

It’s a short car ride before we pull up to Murph’s garage behind his big-ass house. This is when I start to get nervous—not because I think anything bad is in store, but because they’ve clearly done the math, and they know today marks my six months sober anniversary.

And it’s Theo’s birthday month.

They don’t say a word as they get out of the car. I’m in the passenger seat, and something is holding me back. Looking at these two guys who are standing by the garage door clearly talking about something, I feel the sudden inadequacy of my place in their group. I was the one to bring us back together, but I wonder if I’ll ever feel like I truly fit in. I mean…I sold my bike for drug money, so I’m not really a fitting member of a motorcycle club.

But then again…Rafe is a cop.

And Murph is a mysterious millionaire.

So maybe we’re just the strangest motorcycle club that’s ever existed. But we did manage to nearly eradicate the sale of meth and heroin on the island, and that’s not nothing.

“Get out of the car, kid!” Murph barks at me.

Quickly, I open the door and walk toward the two guys. They clap a hand on each of my shoulders. My eyes widen in anticipation.

“It’s been a rough couple years,” Rafe says.

“Let’s not make a big speech out of it,” Murph cuts in.

“I’m not, but we have to say something.”

“Kid, you’ve earned this.” Murph reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. A couple quick touches on the screen and the garage door starts to open.