The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Sixteen

Regina tossed her bag on the couch and scanned the room. It wasn’t anything fancy. A small, old cabin in the woods. She’d rented it the previous month. The write-up was far more impressive than the actual cabin. A combination kitchen and living room with a wood burning fireplace. She walked toward the back, peeking inside the room. A large queen-sized bed, two nightstands, and a shoddy dresser that had seen better days.

It wasn’t anything special. It wasn’t meant to be. She lived on a fairly fixed income, which didn’t leave much for extras. The location was what she wanted. It was rare she and Grain had time away from everything between her work and the club. This was meant to be just for them.

She walked to the back door, glancing out the dirty window. There was a level clearing with a few plastic chairs around the fire pit overlooking the mountains. It was the only thing worth the three-hour drive.

Regina moved her bag into the bedroom and unloaded her car. She’d made a point of picking up groceries before she left knowing the area was desolate. After she’d unpacked, she heard the rumblings of a loud engine coming up the drive. It was perfect timing. Regina walked to the door, opened it, and for the first time in hours, she smiled.

This getaway was meant to be for her and Grain. But this woman was a worthy substitute. The car pulled up behind hers and the door swung open. The blonde popped out of the car with a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other.

“Two drunk girls in the woods.” Lola cocked her hip, closing the door. “You do realize this is how every horror movie starts, right?”

Regina laughed. “Only the trashy ones.”

“Well, that’s perfect for us.”

Regina had every intention of coming to the cabin on her own. But she’d spoken to her best friend, Lola, earlier. Mostly to complain about Grain. Lola insisted on making it a girls’ getaway. How could she resist?

Two hours later, unpacking, settling in, and two tequila shots, they had retired to the yard. Regina started a fire and grabbed blankets from the cabin. It was what she’d planned with Grain.

“This is really nice, Gee,” Lola said as she sipped her margarita.

It was nice. At least she could count on her best friend to come through and make her a priority. Obviously, it was too much to ask of Grain. She would have preferred anger, rage, and hate over what she was currently feeling. Hurt had a way of digging inside the heart and festering.

Lola chuckled, and Regina glanced over. “What?”

“Nothing.” Lola shook her head and giggled again. Clearly, there was something.

“What?” Regina snapped, shifting in her seat to face her friend.

Lola shrugged, smiling down at the fire. “It’s just, I don’t know. You planned all this, made reservations. It’s not your usual MO when you’re with a guy. I mean, celebrating an anniversary?” Lola smiled and cocked her head. “It’s sweet.”

And unappreciated by the intended recipient. There was the hurt again.

“You and Grain ever talk about getting married? Having kids?”

Regina scoffed, playing it off. “No.”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“Do you ever think about it?” Lola whispered.

Regina had thought about it. Maybe too many times. She’d never been in a committed relationship that had lasted this long. She’d never wanted to be. Usually by the fourth month, she was itching for her freedom and didn’t want to be tied down. With Grain, it was different. Everything felt stronger and united. And the sex had only gotten better, which she didn’t think was possible. Still, it wasn’t perfect. Tonight was an example of that.

“No.” It was a lie.

Lola slowly nodded and flattened her lips. Her friend wasn’t buying it, but Lola didn’t call her out on it. They sat in silence. The night couldn’t have been more perfect for looking at the stars. It was unseasonably chilly. She shivered and tightened the blanket around her. If Grain was here, she would’ve ditched the blanket for the warmth of him. She banished the thought from her mind and grabbed her drink, finishing it off.

“Refill?”

Lola downed her glass and handed it to Regina. With the cooler temperature, the jug was still half frozen. She bent down, pouring the drink in their glasses.

“You love him,” Lola said.

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. A deep one. Aside from her family, and even that was questionable, Regina had never loved any man. Until Grain. It didn’t need a response, but Regina gave one anyway.

“I’d love to cut off his balls. Does that count?”

Lola burst out laughing and leaned across the small table, grabbing the drink Regina offered.

“So, what happens next?” Lola asked.

Regina settled in her seat, glancing up at the sky. She was the least sentimental person on the planet. But she couldn’t escape the beauty of the sky and the peacefulness. This was supposed to be ours. Just a few days away from her work at the bar, from their time at the clubhouse, and Grain’s duties for the MC.

It’s supposed to be just us.

Regina sighed. “I don’t know.”

“You know what I think?” Lola asked.

Regina rolled her eyes. “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

Lola grinned. “I think you and Grain got something special. And he fucked up.” Lola sipped her drink. “Isn’t the first time. Won’t be the last. But at the end of the day, I really do think he loves you. And you love him.”

I think you’re right, Lo.

But again, it was soft, too deep for Regina.

“And he’s got a big dick.”

“Fuck!” Lola jerked up, laughing. “I knew it.”

Regina chuckled, settling into her chair. They’d finish off the pitcher of Margaritas while shit talking Grain and Lola’s current man. They would drink too much, eat greasy food, and sleep until noon tomorrow. They’d do the same thing the next day. Then they’d be back to their real lives. Regina would have to contend with Grain. But for now, it was all about the sky, the drinks, and the company.

’Cause real life is too hard without a little peace.

****

The ride was fairly smooth considering the distance. By the time they reached the motel, it was after eleven, and instead of their usual protocol of hitting a bar, they retired to their rooms. They had a short ride to their destination the next day, and the meeting was set up for the afternoon. It was an easy trade with no expected hiccups.

Unless they had their women, the brothers always doubled up at motels to keep costs at a minimum. Grain didn’t care where he slept or who he roomed with as long as he got his own bed. Mick opened the door, and Grain followed inside. He was in desperate need of a shower, but that wasn’t his priority. He dropped his small duffle bag on the floor and walked over to the nightstand. He grabbed the receiver, dialed nine, and waited for the dial tone.

“You want first dibs on the shower?” Mick asked, hooking his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the bathroom door.

“No.” Grain tapped the buttons on the phone. “Gotta call Gee.”

He tried her at the clubhouse first. Even without him being there, she was one of few women who had free rein to stay there. It wasn’t the first time he’d been gone on a run, and she’d stayed there. But she wasn’t there this time.

He didn’t feel guilt often, but this hit him. Regina wasn’t the type of woman to make a big deal about anything romantic. She’d said it herself, flowers, jewelry, and candy were for suckers, and she didn’t buy into it. The one time he’d bought her flowers, she nearly tried to beat him with the bouquet thinking he’d fucked up with something. My woman is a different fucking breed.

He called their apartment. but it continuously rang. It left only one plausible conclusion. She had to be working. If he hadn’t been so tired and in a better frame of mind, it would’ve been the first place he’d called. Weeknights at Starr’s weren’t usually busy, which added to his aggravation when the phone rang four times.

“Starr’s.” The voice on the other line was high-pitched and too welcoming to be his woman’s.

“Put Gee on the phone,” he snapped, dragging his hand down his beard and tugging lightly.

“She’s not working tonight.”

Grain stilled and furrowed his brows. “Put Ernie on the phone.”

“He’s a little busy with customers, but I can…”

Grain tightened his grasp on the phone and shouted. “Put him on the fucking phone!”

He heard the music in the background and mumblings before Ernie answered.

“Yeah?”

“Where the fuck is Gee?”

Ernie snorted. “Not working tonight.”

“Yeah, I fucking know that, so where the fuck is she?”

“You’re asking me where your girlfriend is? How the hell should I know?”

For most bosses, it would be a valid, understandable, and believable response. But Regina and Ernie were close. They had a bond that resembled a dysfunctional father-daughter relationship. Ernie might not keep tabs on her, but considering the current situation and her fight with Grain, Ernie would know.

“Where the fuck is she? Tried her at home, she ain’t answering. Not at the clubhouse. I’m gonna ask again, where the fuck is she?”

He heard a heavy sigh, “Haven’t seen her since she finished her shift. The last I heard, she was taking a few days to spend with you.”

Fuck. That had been the plan. The same one he’d forgotten about when he took the job for the club.

“Run by her house. See if she’s there. I’ll call back in fifteen.”

“Grain.” Ernie sighed. “I’m running a fucking business here, and I had a no-show waitress. I can’t leave my own bar to check up on your woman. Maybe if you had kept your promise to her, you’d know exactly where the hell she is.”

“What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me.” Ernie paused. “Look, I can check on her once we close. But if she is home, she’s probably not gonna answer. Maybe she’s off somewhere celebrating your anniversary. Just ’cause you don’t give a shit about it, doesn’t mean she doesn’t.”

Grain opened his mouth, prepared with a rage-fueled response, but Ernie hung up. In a more sensible mind frame, Grain may have considered Ernie’s words. Probably not, but maybe. However, he was beyond livid and letting his anger take the lead in all his thoughts and actions. He balled his fist and punched the closest thing to him, cracking the drywall. He’d regret his loss of control when his knuckles swelled and ached. For now, it did nothing to temper his rage. He slammed the phone down and stalked across the room to his bag. He swung it over his shoulder just as the bathroom door opened.

“What’s going on?” Mick asked, eyeing the duffle bag.

“You gotta go three in. You good with that?”

Mick furrowed his brows and started across the room. “What’s going on, Grain?”

“She ain’t at the clubhouse, the apartment, or the bar. Ernie said she took a few days, and that motherfucker has no fucking idea where she is.”

“Why would she take off?” Mick asked.

Grain drew in a breath, clenching his teeth. An anniversary? Who the fuck came up with that idea?

“Brother?”

Grain scowled at Mick. “She’s pissed ’cause I left her on our fucking anniversary .”

Mick raised his brows and flattened his lip but remained silent.

“That’s fucking bullshit, right? How the fuck am I supposed to remember? Does she even know all the shit I’ve got going on with the club, working, the runs? And she expects me to remember the first time we fucked?”

Mick folded his arms, staring back at Grain. There was something in his stare. Disappointment?

“Do you remember your fucking anniversary?” Grain blurted.

The corner of Mick’s lips curled. “Which one?”

Grain furrowed his brows. What the hell did he mean, which one? Mick must’ve read his confusion.

“Met Meg on September twenty-third and married her on May twenty-fifth.”

Grain couldn’t even remember one date after being reminded multiple times. He drew in a breath, his anger turning on himself. Though, Grain was notorious for deflecting.

“That’s a pussy fucking answer.”

“You say that, but I know where my woman is right now. And” —Mick laughed, shaking his head— “it gets me a lot of pussy when I remember.”

This conversation was only adding to his anger.

“How the fuck do you even remember it?”

“Not that hard. The day I met Meg, she changed my life.” Mick shrugged. “Maybe you changed Gee’s.”

It was finally settling in for Grain. He dragged his hand over his face, cupping his mouth. He’d probably never remember the actual date, but he’d never forget the moment she walked into his life.

I fucked up.

“Gotta go.” Grain started toward the door, but Mick stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Mick widened his eyes. “You’re gonna head back? Tonight? Grain, brother, we just did a whole day of riding. You need to fucking rest. Those roads are a death trap for tired bikers at night. You know that.”

Grain shook his head. “I’ll be good.”

“Grain,” Mick warned, “at least get a few hours before you head out.”

I don’t have a few hours.

“You call Jack for me?” Grain asked.

Mick sighed, gripping his hips. “He ain’t gonna be happy, man. You’re gonna catch shit for this.”

Grain didn’t doubt it. “I know.”

“Alright brother, drive safe,” Mick said.

Grain walked out of the room, heading for his bike and fighting against a yawn. This would be a bitch of a ride. Everything Mick warned him about was true.

Grain rolled his neck with only one thought on his mind. He’d risk it.

’Cause she’s worth it.