by Amelia Shea
“Jack would have liked this, all of us coming here for him.” She stepped back and turned, moving closer to Phoebe for a hug.
“I brought the whiskey,” Phoebe said, and Marissa laughed.
“I don’t drink, but for Jack, I’m making an exception.” She sighed. “A small taste, that’s all I can handle.”
Kase snorted and glanced over his shoulder. The words were on the tip of his tongue with a retort, but he stopped, struck by Marissa and Phoebe standing together. Good women. Probably better than what either Reilly brother deserved.
Phoebe stepped forward. “You okay, babe?”
The corner of his mouth twitched, and he nodded, turning and walking down by Caden and Trevor, who were standing at the water’s edge.
He reached out, and immediately Cora reached for him, which made Caden laugh. He curled her against his chest and stared out at the water. So many fucking memories with his old man and brother. It was easy to focus on some of the shit Jack dealt them. The hardest part were the good times. The things he’d miss. He drew in a breath and turned to Trevor.
“Heard the news.”
Trevor sighed and slowly turned to Kase. He nodded and remained silent. The kid had it all wrong.
Trevor been talking about joining the club since he was ten. Kase encouraged it, Caden not so much. It seemed he’d had a change of heart in the last year and would be heading off to college in the fall. He attributed that to Marissa.
“Proud of you, kid. First Reilly to go to college. That’s fucking big.” Kase glanced over to Caden. There was no hiding the man’s pride. This was what he wanted for Trevor; to do better than he had.
“You pissed I’m not joining?”
Kase shook his head with a smile and then turned to Trevor. “Club would be happy to have you, but you gotta do what you want, Trev. You live this life on your terms.” He pointed to Trevor. “Not mine, not your dad’s. Club will be there you ever change your mind.”
Trevor snorted. “Pop would be pissed.”
“Yeah, no fucking doubt about that.” He laughed, catching Caden smirk. Jack had always been pro club for his boys.
The spreading of the ashes wasn’t ceremonial. It was mostly them standing around sharing stories. He and Caden sharing the most, though Riss and Phoebe chimed in a few times.
Trevor opened the canister and did the honors of spreading Jack’s ashes in the river.
“Ride free and wild, Pop.” It was a hushed tone only meant for Pop, but they all heard it. It was fucking perfect.
Marissa curled up to Caden, who wrapped his arms around her waist, dropping a kiss to her cheek before resting his chin on her head.
Kase pulled Phoebe closer, and her arm wrapped around his waist.
He could almost hear his Pop’s voice.
You fuckers don’t deserve them. He was probably right, but the Reilly boys were keeping them.
“Is this illegal? Spreading ashes in the river?” Marissa asked.
Kase snorted. “Yeah, it’s fucking illegal, and the perfect sendoff.” He glanced over at Rissa and smirked. “Pop would have loved it.”
She smiled with tears rimming her eyes.
There were a few moments of silence in what he assumed was their own personal way of honoring Jack. Kase drew in a breath, remembering the good shit. There was plenty. When he glanced over at Caden, his little brother smiled and nodded.
Jack Reilly may not have been perfect, but he was their Pop.
Trevor came forward with the bottle of whiskey, taking the first sip. The bottle was passed around. When it came to Phoebe, she held up the bottle and bit her lip. Tears formed in her eyes, and she drew in a deep breath.
“To bikers and whiskey, Jack.”
She passed the bottle and curled into his side.
It was Cora who ended the ceremony when she started to get fussy. Caden had invited them back to their place for dinner. They would go. In fact, Kase had made a mental note to see them more often. They were family; he needed to be with them.
Kase and Phoebe stayed behind. He curled his hands over her stomach, drawing her back to his chest. She glanced up.
“I love you. And I’m not saying it because I want you to say it back.” She shrugged with a small smile. “I just want you to know it.” She paused. “And feel it.”
It was the wasn’t the first time he’d heard the words, but it was the first time he’d felt it from a woman.
He smirked, pulling her closer. “I do.” He cocked his brow. “Do you?”
She slowly nodded.
In the end, the words meant nothing as long as they both knew what they felt.
Pure fucking love.
The End
About The Author
Amelia Shea
Amelia Shea is an author of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2015, and has continued her passion for writing romance series. A little sweet, a little sassy and lots of steam has been her formula for her writing. And of course, a happily ever after.
Born and raised, a Jersey girl, she has settled down in the south with her amazingly, supportive husband, her fabulous (most days) children and her trusty, loyal, four-legged, furry sidekick, Bob.
Ghosttown Riders Series
The Favor
The Hero
The Samaritan
The Saint
The Enemy
The Return
The Outlaw