by Rachel Cade
“I want a town gathering. I need to see the people and I want them to know I’m alright. It’ll be a big celebration so we can get everything back to normal.”
Nothing was going to be back to normal as long as that fucking gang was here.
“That sounds perfect.” Ashley nodded with a smile.
“I want you to plan it, my dear.” Hugh reached for his daughter’s hand. “All the bells and whistles. I want it to be a night the people never forget.” Langley made a point to stare at Will.
*
With Durand busy with Langley’s skip from the grave, police presence near the property had been pretty low over the week. Occasionally a car or two would cruise by, but no one had stepped to the property since their little warrant didn’t turn up shit.
Noa hadn’t been able to see Lyndie or Max since they ramped up deliveries of cars to California. He’d been in and out of Amber Falls and everything had been kind of a blur.
Maybe it was for the best, though, for them to get a little break. She needed time to think and he needed time to plan and prepare.
Deathstalker was dusty from his last trip, so he was giving her a detailed cleaning when he heard, “Kid,” hit the air.
Noa looked up to see Tin with a big cup of coffee jutting his head toward his office.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Noa asked as he stepped inside.
“Close the door.”
Noa did and once he saw Tin seat himself, he grabbed a spot on the bench.
“You doin’ alright?” the older man asked.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Like you’d tell me anyway.”
“I tell you more than most.”
Tin smirked.
“I’m trying to manage,” he answered truthfully.
Tin sat back in the chair. “I’m glad you’ve been staying out of jail. I had a quiet bet on when you’d get pinched in Nevada.”
Noa rested his elbows on his knees. He bit his lips as his head lowered for a second. “Are you serious?”
Tin just gave him a look, raising his brow.
The raspy chuckle Noa let out was followed by a shake of his head. He had been on a streak there for a minute in Tallahassee.
“Lot of fires need to be put out.”
“I agree.”
“Remember when I said I had some stuff going on back home?”
“Yeah.”
Tin didn’t look at him for a moment.
“My brother… he’s not doing too good.”
Noa sat there, kind of stunned. Tin never talked about his life outside the club. And despite treating most of them like sons, he didn’t have much of a relationship with his own family. From the bits and pieces Noa knew, they were estranged.
And Noa could relate - his family was half a world away and he was alright with it.
Tin was staring off, and silence filled the small space.
He cleared his throat and straightened in the chair. “I need to go to the reservation and see him. But I need someone in charge here. Can you do it?”
Noa was so busy processing Tin’s first confession that the question was like a left hook.
He stared at the old man who he usually said yes to without a thought.
“When do you have to head out?” he asked, trying to keep his heavy breath discreet.
“I have a flight in the morning. It was the quickest I could get.” He placed his coffee above some paperwork on the desk. “If it’s not something you want, I can ask Bleed. He ran a batch of guys in his military days. I’m sure he’ll pitch in if necessary.”
“I …” Noa hated the uncertainty that clenched his gut, cutting off his answer. But he had to be honest with himself about the fact that it was there. “Can I have some time to think about it? I will let you know before you go, I promise.”
Tin stared at him in that way he had.
After a minute he nodded. “Yeah. Now get out I need to get some work done.”
Noa gave a short salute to signal he was leaving.
He turned back to Tin before opening the door. “I’m sorry about your brother.”
Tin nodded.
*
Lyndie was in town running errands.
Her car drew a bit of attention as she parked on the side of the pharmacy.
It was the smoothest ride she’d ever been in, and for about half of it, she had to hold in her screams to not scare Max in the backseat.
Once she was in the car, she noticed something on the front seat: the license plates.
Biting her lip, Lyndie picked it up, reading it.
“Babygirl.” She ran her fingers over the letters and smiled.
She and Max were dressed similarly today, she was in a yellow dress and he was in a yellow t-shirt with a dinosaur print and dark shorts. He kicked his feet in new sandals as they walked around the corner. She knew he likely couldn’t tell the difference in their lives and what it meant, but she was so happy to be able to provide for him. And she was so thankful to Noa… she couldn’t even put it into words.
She stopped in front of the theater. It really was more a town relic at this point. She remembered her grandmother bringing her here when she was little. It was always such a treat. She never cared that the movies weren’t new; she just loved the experience.
It hadn’t been open in so long. A lot of things changed in the town after the plant closed, the population started to dwindle and so did the businesses. The Blob poster was still in the front window.
Max laughed a bit as Lyndie pointed at the poster.
“I’m happy you’re happy, munch.” She kissed the top of his forehead before looking up at the theatre sign.
“Morning, Lyndie.”
“Morning, Mr. Baker.” He gave a quick smile to the baby and continued up the street, presumably back to his shop.
Instead of heading right in the pharmacy, Lyndie made her way to Langley Realty.
When she peered through the glass door, she saw Ashley at her desk.
The two women made eye contact and Lyndie pulled the door back to enter.
Max was quick to look around his new surroundings, shifting in her hold as he tried to see everything.
“Welcome to Langley Realty.” The formal greeting had an uncomfortable tone beneath it.
Lyndie glanced around.“I wanted to know about the theater property.”
Ashley didn’t hide her confusion. “What about it?”
“Is it currently owned by anyone?” Lyndie kept her focus on the question. “They haven’t played a new movie in six months.”
“Are you looking for a second job?” Her dainty brows rose along with her voice for the question.
“Mm.” Lyndie’s front teeth clenched briefly behind the sound. “Some things really don’t change.”
She noticed Ashley’s eyes kept wandering to Max, watching her in her peripheral as she offered him his pacifier.
“And some things do,” Ashley said softly.
“How’s your dad?” Lyndie knew the question came out of the blue, but she wanted a subject change before she reached across the desk.
“Fine. He’s doing well.” Ashley smiled like the huge picture of herself on the company banner displayed behind her head. “He’s getting stronger every day.”
“I’m glad,” Lyndie said and meant it, since Langley’s presence was a barrier between Will and Noa. “The fire looked really scary that night.”
Ashley didn’t respond.
“I’m sure Will and the police will figure out what happened.”
“Yes. But in the meantime, what is it you’re doing here exactly?”
“I was asking about the theater.”
Max leaned into her and Lyndie knew he’d be ready for a nap soon.
“It’s available for lease. But it’s a commercial property, so it’s expensive.”
Lyndie stayed focused. “I’d like to see it.”
Ashley did a double take. “Lyndie Hargood, do you see your little self as a busin
esswoman?”
“Do you waste everyone’s time that comes in here?”
The princess’s response came quick. “Just the ones that plan to waste mine. You can’t afford that place. Stop being delusional.”
“You think I can’t afford it,” Lyndie answered just as quickly. “It makes you feel good to look down on me.” Lyndie stepped closer to the woman’s desk. “But if I’m so lowly, why do you want everything I have? First you took my boyfriend and then you tried to come after my baby.”
Ashley’s eyes narrowed.
Lyndie continued. “I’m making an appointment with you right now and you’re going to show me that property this week.” Lyndie pressed her finger on top of Ashley’s paperwork, staring hard into her eyes.
“Lyndie?” The front door opened, and at the sound of Will’s voice, she felt her anger shift to him.
“What’s going on?” he asked, glancing between the two women.
Lyndie adjusted Max on her hip, lightening her voice. “Ashley and I were just talking about the property she’s going to show me. The old theater.”
“What?” He looked surprised and confused at the same time.
“Yeah.” Lyndie turned and smiled down at Ashley.
“Can I talk to you?”
Lyndie looked over at Will to see him staring at her.
“Okay.”
Ashley made a noise under her breath as Will held the door open for Lyndie and her son.
The instant she was in his orbit, Lyndie knew something was off.
He was far more intense than usual.
Will walked her away from the building and Lyndie imagined Ashley pressing her face to the glass to try to hear.
“Where were you the other night?” he asked. “I went by the diner and your car was there late. I tried the house, but you weren’t home.”
That wasn’t true. She had been home, with Noa.
Her longing for him crashed into her hatred of Will and the cruelty he’d shown them both.
“So, are you stalking me?” she asked right after.
Max had nodded off and she quickly placed him on his stomach so his head could rest on her shoulder.
“Lyndie.” He stared at her when there was some privacy on the street.
Those dark green eyes bore into hers. It was like he was trying to dig into her head, and it was strange.
“My car died. I was at Peggy’s,” she spoke off the top of her head.
“You didn’t answer my calls. And you never called back.”
“I had no idea you held such great concern for me, Will. It hasn’t always been like that, you know.”
He sighed, narrowing his eyes at her.
“You’re the mother of my child.”
She didn’t roll her eyes. But she really wanted to.
“And that only means something when you want it to.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She didn’t hide her annoyance. “Exactly what I said. When I matter to you, when Max matters, is on your timetable.”
“Lyndie…” His lower teeth flashed before he set his jaw.
She was right; something was off. Was he angry because she was with Ashley or something?
“I made a lot of mistakes with you before Max was born. I made a lot of mistakes after, but you could have waited for me to…try to figure this shit out.”
“Wait for you to figure out what, Will? You told me you didn’t want me anymore.” Part of her couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but she managed to filter her reaction.
Maybe she could use this to her advantage, but she had to keep her head on straight. Lowering her head, she added, “So I accepted that.”
“You shouldn’t have, though. Because it’s not true. It was never true. I think about you all the time.” The words rasped near the end.
Lyndie’s stomach could have hit the cement.
What did he just say?
“I kept lying to myself about it after you found me with Ashley.”
Lyndie looked up him. She was thankful Max was asleep, but she wished he wasn’t here then. Her baby had been caught up in enough.
“Why did you hurt me like that?” she asked. And the question was genuine. The pain he’d caused her couldn’t be understated or forgotten. “How could you cheat on me and treat me like you did if you care so much?” Vulnerability and cynicism twisted her voice.
“I’m an asshole. Alright?” he admitted.“I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I knew what I was doing. I thought you were someone I needed to put in my past.” His jaw tightened. “And I was mad about you having Max. I wasn’t ready to be a father.”
Lyndie shook her head. It was hard to part her lips and not yell. “We didn’t deserve how you treated us, Will.”
“I know you didn’t. I know.” He may have been trying to fix things somehow, but his answer angered her more. “I know it’s why you-” He gnashed his teeth, and she could see a vein at his temple. “I know it’s why you hate me.”
She couldn’t see his eyes. As she looked up, he turned his head, focusing on the brick building at their side.
Lyndie’s face was hot. She had to relax her throat to say the next words. “I don’t hate you, Will. I just wish things were… different.”
Max turned his head and snuggled harder against her, and she held him close against her. “I had to let go of you, Will. That’s what you wanted, so I listened.”
“Lyndie.” He reached for her face, touching her cheek lightly.
This conversation really hadn’t gone the way she thought it would. His touch was as unexpected as his confession.
A low rumbling split the air.
Motorcycles.
She pulled back from Will’s touch.
“I need to go.” She held her son to her as she quickly checked the street before crossing it.
By the time she got to the middle of the road, she could see three motorcycles halfway down the block.
Lyndie’s eyes quickly zeroed in on Deathstalker and its owner in the center.
He was wearing a helmet and she couldn’t tell if he’d spotted her.
She glanced back towards Will once she was safely on the sidewalk to see he was gone.
Chapter Ten:
The Hunter
Lyndie pushed open the door to Peggy’s salon. The first thing that hit her was laughter and Elvis Presley music. It was a needed distraction to her stomach still being on the ground. Playing out things in your head versus actually doing them came with an emotional component she hadn’t been ready for.
She just needed a second to pull herself together and figure out what needed to be done next.
She was just thankful Noa hadn’t caught her with Will.
Peggy’s brows rose as she placed a hair dryer down over her client’s roller-filled blue hair.
“There’s both my sweethearts! Pretty in yellow today.”
Lyndie found an open pink styling chair and sat as a customer said, “Aww, it’s sleepy time.”
“You hear about the welcome back shindig they’re throwing for Langley?” Peggy asked.
“No.” Lyndie welcomed the distraction. “He’s up and about?”
“He was at his half-burnt house rantin’ and ravin’, so I guess he’s doing alright.”
“When is it?”
“I think next week. Ashley said they’re going to make flyers.”
“Of course she did.” Lyndie was ready for that brat and anything she tried to throw her way. And she didn’t just hate her over Will. There was a maliciousness to her, something that was so unnecessary that she just delighted in wielding…
Lyndie was going to deal with her too.
The front door opened with a tiny ding, drawing everyone’s attention.
Noa stood in the open door.
Lyndie stared at him from the chair and from her peripheral, could see the blue-haired lady lower her glasses.
He wore a black sleeveless t-shirt and extra ripped dark
jeans. Both of his wrists were covered in spiked wristbands. His hair was out and windblown, and she imagined he’d been riding his bike without the helmet before they came into town.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said to her, then held up a large hand. “You dropped this outside.”
Holding Max, Lyndie stood up and walked over to him. She didn’t know what he was holding and could feel holes being stared into her back from the ladies.
Noa’s gaze never wavered from hers as she opened her hand beneath his.
Something soft dropped into her palm, but she couldn’t stop staring at him to look down.
“Thank you,” she answered.
“You’re welcome.” There was a glint in his eyes like light bouncing off the ocean. He glanced down at Max before pulling back from the door.
“We do men’s hair here, too,” one of the ladies called.
Noa smiled as he let the door close before walking off.
“That was one of those bikers, wasn’t it?”
“My goodness.”
Lyndie heard the knowing in Peggy’s voice and turned. It was a struggle to keep the sheepish expression off her face.
“What did you drop, honey?”
“Max’s pacifier string.” It came out so quick. She kept her hand closed, but held a tiny piece of it out.
Peggy just nodded. “I heard from Vicky finally. She’ll be here in a little bit.”
“Sure.”
Lyndie heard her, but she was more focused on the satin tie in her palm. It was soft and warm from his hand. All the air held in her chest for a second.
“I better get to the pharmacy. It was nice seeing you guys.”
The ladies offered her goodbyes and she left the salon.
The bikes were gone and so was Noa. Once she cleared the building, she opened her hand to see the black satin ribbon that shifted in the soft breeze.
*
“What were you talking about with her?” Ashley asked.
She was standing outside her office building when he walked back.
“You want to do this out here?” he asked.
“I don’t give a shit. What were you talking about?”
“Are you going to be insecure every time I talk to my kid’s mother?”