I wait in anticipation, not daring to hope as I glance at the collection in Murph’s garage. He has the truck and a collection of motorcycles in various stages of completion. I wonder briefly when Murph even has the time to build his bikes.

My eye catches on one bike that sits separately from the others. It’s not his, but there’s something familiar about it.

I gulp down the sudden emotion that lodges itself in my throat.

“He’d want you to have it,” Rafe adds. “We just had to wait until you were ready.”

My brother, tall and smiling, sitting on that bike, flashes through my mind, and I clear my throat to keep myself from completely falling apart.

“Go.” Rafe pushes me toward the motorcycle.

As my hand slides across the worn leather, I let my eyes well up where the guys can’t see. They’d be fucking crying too.

“I don’t know what to say,” I manage.

“You don’t have to say shit,” Murph says as he steps up next to me. “Just start her up and let’s go for a ride.”

“Fuck yeah,” Rafe answers.

They fire up each of their bikes, and the three of us head out on a long ride around the island. And as fucking lame as it sounds, I can feel him there with us, on that ride.

Sierra

I’m on the phone with the food vendor for our book fest event next month, when I hear the low rumble of a motorcycle park in front of the store. I sneak a glance at Mrs. Walker who is still dusting the new low shelves in the teen reading area at the back of the shop. She doesn’t seem to even notice the deafening sound that now overwhelms our quiet store.

After I hang up, I check in with her to let her know that I’ll be taking an early lunch.

When I step out front, I let a smile spread across my face as I take in the delicious sight of Logan leaning against a black motorcycle.

“Don’t make me file a noise complaint,” I tease him, my arms crossed.

“You’re not surprised. Rafe already told you.”

He says it like it’s supposed to be a question, even though it’s not. Of course Rafe told me. He had to brag about it to someone and it has been in the works for weeks. We worked together to keep Logan clean, but it was Logan who deserved the recognition.

With the support from his brothers and having me with him at the apartment, it’s like Logan has the guts to be at his very happiest, and I’m loving every minute of it.

“Wanna go for a ride?” he asks.

“On that?” I smile.

I climb on the back, and he takes the same easy ride around the island as we did only six months ago.

When we reach the quiet beach on the suburban end, we walk down to the water where we shared our first kiss. He leans down and pulls me into a tight embrace, and I feel the gratitude in his touch.