November’s Ride with Viper (Mustang Mountain Riders #11)

2. Marlowe

CHAPTER 2

MARLOWE

I pulled a garland of fall leaves from one of the big boxes Orville had dropped off earlier. Decorating the Community Center for the upcoming Friendsgiving celebration gave me something to do, but it was so odd being back in Mustang Mountain. I’d been to events in this building too many times to count over the years. From holiday parties to school fundraisers, the Community Center had always provided a central gathering place in town.

It had been years since I’d been inside, but not much had changed. If I closed my eyes, I could pull up the memories of hunting for Easter eggs on the front lawn and playing Bingo for books with my grandmother. Mustang Mountain was the last place I thought I’d be this Thanksgiving, but a part of me was glad to be home.

“How’s it going?” Ruby bustled in, her arms full of cornucopia-shaped baskets.

“So far, so good.” I climbed down from the stepladder I’d been using to hang garlands around the edges of the room and took some of them from her before they ended up on the floor.

She set the baskets down on a nearby table and let out a loud sigh. “That should be the last of it. Now all we need to do is finish the room decor. One or two of the Mustang Mountain Riders should be stopping by this afternoon to set up the tables. They’re so good about pitching in when we need some muscle.”

My back stiffened at the mention of the local motorcycle club. “Oh. Any idea who got stuck with that job?”

“Not a clue.” Ruby pulled another garland out of the box. Seemed like they were multiplying inside. I’d already been at the center for a couple of hours and hadn’t made much of a dent. “You don’t have to worry about them, though. Every single one has been a godsend to this town over the past year.”

“I’m not worried.” I offered her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Inside, my heart ricocheted around the walls of my chest. I hadn’t stayed in touch with many people when I blew out of town right after graduation, but last I’d heard, my best friend from high school had joined the Mustang Mountain Riders. We hadn’t had a chance to connect yet, and based on how we left things between us, I wasn’t even sure if he’d be interested in seeing me.

Ruby winked at me. “I bet you’re thinking about Viper, aren’t you?”

My jaw dropped open, but I slammed it shut. “We lost touch. I don’t even know if he still lives around here.”

“Mmm hmm.” Ruby picked up another garland and followed me over to the ladder. “The two of you used to be close, weren’t you?”

Distracted by her comment, I almost taped my finger to the wall instead of the edge of the garland. It had never been a secret that Viper and I were good friends. We even worked at the Sweet Addictions ice cream shop during the summer together and rode our bikes around town before either of us got a license. Though we’d never moved beyond friendship, we’d been inseparable during the last few years of school.

“Well?” Ruby prodded.

“Yeah. We used to be pretty close, but we lost touch several years ago.” I shrugged, hoping she didn’t notice how bringing up his name rattled me to my core.

“Well, he’s definitely still around. In fact, I saw him at the Merc the other day. Still single, in case you were wondering.”

I chuckled. “Thanks for the update, but it makes no difference to me whether or not he’s single.”

“Whether who’s single?” A deep voice came from the front of the room. Rougher than I remembered, but still familiar, I knew it was Viper before I turned around.

Ruby’s earrings jingled as she walked over and wrapped him up in a hug. “Don’t you give it any mind. The two of us were just engaging in a little girl talk.”

I got down from the ladder and stood there, not sure whether I should go over and greet him or keep working on the decor. Whatever I did, there was no denying the way my pulse had spiked the second I heard his voice.

“Viper, you remember Marlowe, don’t you?” Ruby took his hand and tugged him closer. “What am I thinking? The two of you used to be tighter than two peas in a pod, weren’t you?”

This close, I could see the flecks of amber in his dark green eyes. I lifted my hand in what had to be the world’s most awkward wave. “Hey.”

His lips curled up in a grin that made my heart beat even faster. “Marlowe Henson. What the hell are you doing back in town?”

“I, uh, well, I made a bunch of changes recently and decided to move home.” If the floor had opened up underneath my feet and swallowed me right that second, the universe would have been doing me a favor. I’d never felt so out of place. Not even the time I walked into my ex’s office Halloween party dressed like a zombie prom queen and it turned out costumes weren’t encouraged or required.

He spread his arms wide and came in for a hug. Not sure how to respond, I more or less just stood there, then awkwardly patted his back as the scent of leather engulfed me.

“It’s good to see you, Lo Lo.” He pulled back quickly, leaving me standing there in shock that he’d called me by the nickname he’d given me in high school.

“Good to see you too.” He was the same, but also so different. When I’d left Mustang Mountain, we’d just graduated from high school. Back then, he’d been tall and thin, even gangly. Now, he’d definitely filled out his six-foot-plus frame. The thick jacket gave nothing away, but I’d felt nothing but solid muscle for the few seconds I’d been pressed against his chest.

Ruby’s eyes went wide, and she sucked in a deep breath. “I’m going to go get the rest of the decorations. While I’m gone, maybe the two of you can catch up?”

“I thought you said we had everything we needed?” I asked.

“I’m sure I forgot something. I’ll be back soon, but not too soon,” she said as she bustled out of the center.

Viper cocked a hip and leaned against the table. “So, what have you been up to lately?”

“Um…” I stalled, hoping divine intervention would provide some guidance on a safe place to steer the conversation. “I’ve been working a lot. Remotely, thank goodness. I’m with a great non-profit out of Chicago. They’ve been incredibly supportive of the move.”

His lids drifted to half closed. “You always did put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own. It doesn’t surprise me a bit that you’re working for a non-profit. How’s your family doing?”

As long as we steered clear of my love life, I was more than happy to provide updates on my job and family. Viper had spent so much time at my house back then, he’d practically become one of us. “Mom and Dad are happy down in Florida, though they miss the change of seasons. Grandma would much rather still be living in Montana, but the warmer weather has been good for her. And she still owns her place here, so I’ve got somewhere to live.”

“How long have you been back?” He kept his tone casual. Clearly, he was affected by our unexpected reunion, though he’d always been able to keep his emotions under control.

“A little over a week. I was going stir crazy all by myself, so Ruby conned me into helping set up for Friendsgiving. I’m sorry I haven’t reached out yet, it’s been?—”

“Don’t worry about it.” He cut me off, preventing me from having to come up with some lame excuse for why I hadn’t told him I was back. “It’s good to see you, Marlowe. We should grab a burger together sometime and get all caught up.”

The tightness in my lungs gave way. He was making this too easy for me. If he’d basically ghosted me for the past ten years, I wouldn’t have been so willing to move on without a heartfelt apology and some sort of explanation.

“I’d like that.” Once upon a time, we’d been close. Even though we’d gone our separate ways and followed different paths, I’d shared things with Viper that I’d never told anyone.

Over the years, we’d both changed, but he still knew me deep down at my core. He knew how scared I’d always been of being alone… of never finding someone who would appreciate me for who I was on the inside. Who would look beyond the extra pounds I carried on my hips and the way my belly jiggled. That’s what led us to make that silly pact almost fifteen years ago. He probably didn’t even remember it, but I did.

It was right after I’d been dumped by my first real boyfriend my sophomore year of high school. I thought we were going to last forever. He just wanted to string me along until I gave up my V-card. When he found out I wasn’t willing to let him have it, he dropped me so fast it left my head spinning and my heart spiraling.

Viper was there to pick up the pieces. He told me that asshole wasn’t worth my tears and that someday I’d find someone who’d love me for me. And if I didn’t… he said that if neither of us had found true love by the time we both turned thirty, then we’d marry each other. It sounded like a great backup plan to fifteen-year-old me and we’d sealed the deal with a handshake and by sharing a malt at Sweet Addictions.

Looking at Viper now, I couldn't believe he hadn’t been snatched up by one of the women in town. Clearly, he didn’t need a backup plan. His birthday was coming up next month and twenty-nine looked damn good on him.

“You’ve got a birthday coming up this weekend, right?” His brows arched slightly, while one side of his mouth tipped up in a smirk. “The Big 3-0. If you don’t have plans already, let’s get together then. What do you say, Lo Lo?”