Tripp doesn’t want an ol’ lady. I get that. Why can’t we move past all this and be friends? I’m stuck on this ride with him. I don’t want to hate him and I’m sick of the distance between us. Fucking Carmine in the hallway was a good thing. It makes sure I have no illusions about a future with Tripp. He’s a good time, and this ride is a chance circumstance. When I get home, it’s time to settle down and get serious about my life.

My dad will handle Delatorre. Once I’m safe, I can return home. Time to put my big girl panties on and have the talk with my dad we have both avoided. Can my dad accept if I want to be an ol’ lady? He’s chased away every guy I’ve ever brought home. It’s time he let go and realize I’m not a little girl anymore.

Pulling in, I realize tonight we are staying in Yellowstone National Park. If I could feel safe, this would be a nice stop. Road trips are always nice to take in scenery and such. On a bike it’s even more of an experience because you feel it surround you.

I’m off the bike waiting for Tripp to finish his conversation with my dad. My worry must show on my face because he’s staring hard at me before he pulls me up against him.

The smell of leather, gas, road, and Tripp mixes together in an aroma of comfort for me. His voice brings an ease over me, as he reassures me.

“You’re safe, Doll. Things are being handled. Relax, that’s why we came here. Let the tension go.”

With that, he pulls away. Grabbing my backpack while he grabs his bag from inside the saddle bags, I take a moment to breathe. Tripp will keep me safe. After the run in before, I know he won’t let anyone get to me. He takes my hand in his, interlacing our fingers, as we check in to the cabin we’ll be staying in.

The cabin is small, more like a motel room, but in a separate building instead of wall to wall. Sass and Rex had to get their own cabin to share because the four of us wouldn’t fit comfortably in just one. The cabins are a basically one open room. Each cabin has one queen bed, a small living area, a kitchenette, and a bathroom in each. Not even a Jacuzzi tub, amenities may be lacking but the views are breathtaking. Immediately, I take a shower. Road grime does not feel good. I love the back of a bike, but the wind and air dry out your skin. Once I’m done, Tripp follows suit.

We’re both in the sitting area. Tripp’s in the low slung sweat pants he usually sleeps in. His hair down and wet. His face is now sporting the rough look of days on the road without shaving.

Rather than sit idle in awkward silence, I decide to do laundry. Going over to our bags, I remove the dirty clothes. There is a small stacked washer-dryer unit in the cabin, so I get started. Being on the road, I don’t know how often we will have access to washers so each stop that I can catch up, I do.