The Hero

by Amelia Shea

  He let the night unfold just as he knew it would. His father bragged about shit that wasn’t true while Gillian hung on his every word. It was pathetic and growing increasingly impossible to take. His only saving grace was Macy, who stuck by him the entire night. She must have sensed when he was about to lose his shit because every time he was set to explode, she’d grasp his hand or caress his back.

  They were seated in Trini’s living room with Gillian, his dad, and Trini on the couch, and Macy in the chair with Emme seated on her lap. Rourke chose to stand.

  “We plan on visiting Skyla tomorrow.” His dad glanced up at him and Rourke glared. His dad shook his head, putting on quite the performance of grieving father.

  “My baby was so young.”

  Gillian laid her hand on his back. “I can’t even imagine losing a child. It’s heartbreaking.”

  Rourke breathed heavily and tightened his lips.

  His dad shook his head, continuing with the charade, and Rourke felt the extreme rage building as he watched.

  “I wish I coulda done more.”

  Rourke snorted. “Had you fucking been around, maybe you coulda.”

  The tension in the room thickened. This was not the ideal scene, especially in front of Macy. He glanced down and watched as she tugged Emme closer in her lap and whispered something in her ear. He didn’t know what she said, but seconds later, his niece hopped down from Macy’s lap and walked to her room.

  “Son.”

  Rourke seethed, and his nostrils flared. How dare that bastard call him son? He gave up that right the first time he’d abandoned their family. Rourke pushed off the wall, but Trini’s desperate tone stopped him.

  “Rourke.” She held up her hand.

  “No,” he snapped, pointing to his dad. “He doesn’t get to come in here and put on this fucking show, Tri. Not while I’m here.” He turned to his dad. “Where the fuck were you? Five fucking years and you didn’t show up once, and I know she fucking called ’cause I was standing by her bed when she was crying and begging you to come see her.” Rourke exploded. “And you didn’t. But you made her think you would. Ya gave Skyla hope, so she fucking waited and waited. And you never showed up.” Rourke lunged forward. “Not once, you motherfucker.”

  Trini scrambled up from the couch rushing toward him, but it was Macy who gripped his neck and forced his eyes to hers.

  “Let’s go, okay? We’ll leave, right now. C'mon, baby please.” Her tone was hushed and desperate. It was only then he realized he’d lost his shit completely.

  “No!” Trini screamed, and Rourke jerked his gaze toward her. She was dragging her hands through her hair. “No.” She glanced up. “They’re leaving, not you.” She spun around to his dad and Gillian. “Both of you have to leave. Now.”

  Gillian gasped and grabbed her chest. “You’re kicking us out?”

  Trini snorted. “Yeah, I am. Go.” She pointed to the door.

  His dad shot up. “What has gotten into you? You’re kicking out your old man?”

  “Yeah, Dad, I am.” Trini gripped her hips. “You don’t get to come here and talk about her. You don’t get to walk in and upset our lives. You’ve done it for too long. Rourke and I have done just fine without ya. Now, go.”

  Rourke watched as his dad sneered. He knew he was seconds away from saying something which would cause Rourke to beat the hell out him.

  “Another word and I’ll throw your ass out,” he snarled.

  His dad whipped his head. Rourke was prepared to storm across the room and make good on his threat. It wasn’t needed. Gillian grasped his hand and hurried to the door. Neither one of them gave a second glance. Macy curled her arms around his waist.

  “Nothing quite as entertaining as a Hanson family reunion,” Trini said and started to laugh.

  Hopefully, it would be their last.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Macy glanced over her shoulder at the clock on the stove. 6:32 a.m.

  It had been a long time since she’d been up this early on a Saturday. She tapped her nails against her mug and scanned the room for something do. She needed to kill time, which proved especially difficult this early in the morning.

  If she’d been in her apartment, she would have watched TV, but Rourke’s trailer had very thin walls. She’d have to watch it on mute or run the risk of waking him. Wasn’t him waking up what she wanted anyway? They had plans this weekend. Why was he still sleeping? Because it’s six-thirty in the morning on his day off.

  She turned toward the stove and groaned. 6:36 a.m. Time seemed to be standing still. Patience had never been one of Macy’s strong suits. She flattened her lips, weighing her options.

  Wake him up.

  She sipped her coffee and strolled through his living room. It was still dark out, and on an average day, she would be curled up in bed fast asleep. Not today. She’d woken up at five and taken a shower, got dressed, did her hair, and even made coffee. She was having flashbacks of herself as a little girl on Christmas.

  She pushed open the door and watched as Rourke, who was half asleep, reached over to the opposite side of the bed. My side. She smiled when his hand swiped the empty space then lifted his head, searching for her.

  “Morning.”

  He squinted and angled his head in her direction. It took him a minute to respond.

  “What time is it?”

  “Six-thirty.” She watched as his gaze dropped down her body. Macy shrugged. “You said you wanted to leave early.”

  He huffed a breath which could have very well been a laugh, but it was hard to tell. He dropped to the mattress and rolled onto his back.

  “I meant early as in eight.”

  She put her cup on the dresser and climbed onto the bed, making her way to straddle her legs over his lap. “I’m excited.”

  He snorted. “Thinking you might be disappointed, Macy. It’s called Ghosttown for a reason.”

  She rested her hands on his bare chest, caressing his pecs. Her fingers glided over his skin softly. I love his body. When he shifted his hips against her, she could feel his arousal rub up against the seam of her jeans. She pulled back her hands and shook her head. Rourke scowled which made her laugh. It reminded her of a pouting child. She leaned in for a quick kiss and sat back on his lap.

  “Too much temptation. I start touching you, then you’ll touch me, and before ya know it we’ll be naked.” She winked. “And while the dirty scenario sounds amazing. I really wanna see Ghosttown.”

  He gripped her waist and lifted her. In one swoop, she was flying through the air and bouncing back onto the mattress. He came over her so quick she had no time to react. His lips pressed against hers, and she was done. She may have been fully clothed, but Rourke was bare ass naked. She took the opportunity to slide her hand between their bodies and grasp his already hard cock.

  His tongue slid against her, and he groaned when she moved her palm over the head of his shaft. His lips dropped down to her neck. She closed her eyes and tried to fight back against the moisture in her panties. If she lost any article of clothing, they’d definitely be spending the day in his bed.

  “Rourke.” She moaned. “You’re not playing fair.”

  He immediately stopped kissing her neck and glanced up with a small smile. She tilted her head. “Two more seconds of you touching me and we’ll never get outta here.” She whined. “I really wanna go, Rourke.”

  He dropped his head to her neck, and his chest rumbled. He was laughing at her. She playfully swatted his back. “I’m serious.”

  Rourke shifted to his side and leaned up on his elbow. “Let’s take the truck.”

  Oh, hell no, not this again.

  He barely finished speaking before Macy shot up on the mattress. “No. C’mon, you said we could go on your motorcycle.”

  He sighed. “It’s a long fucking ride, Mace.”

  Yesterday, he had suggested they take his truck for the ride up to Ghosttown, but Macy insisted they take the bike. She wanted to be on
the back of his motorcycle. It was where he loved to be, on the open road and on his bike. She wanted to share that with him too.

  She widened her eyes. “Yeah, so? You do it all the time.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, and I’ve been fucking riding half my life.” He rubbed the palms of his hands against his eyes. “I’m used to it. You’re not.”

  She leaned closer, kissing his hands, which covered his eyes. “Please.”

  He dropped his hands and rolled his eyes. “Gimme ten, and we’ll head out.”

  “On the motorcycle,” she insisted.

  He shook his head and grunted. “Yeah, on the bike. But don’t say I didn’t fucking warn ya.” He pushed off the bed, and she watched him walk to the bathroom.

  “I’m a biker bitch now, I can handle it,” she shouted and smiled when she heard him chuckle.

  By seven-fifteen, they were on their way.

  The first hour was a pure rush of adrenaline. With the wind ripping around her and her arms wrapped around Rourke, she was in heaven.

  The second hour had her wiggling on the small seat, trying to find a comfortable position.

  By hour three, she was counting down the minutes till they arrived.

  He had warned her, but nothing prepared her for the ache in her ass cheeks and legs when they finally pulled into Ghosttown. She had no doubt she’d be walking weird for at least a day or two. The thought of getting on the bike again almost made her weep. Luckily, they had plans to spend the night at Caden’s house and head back tomorrow. Kase’s brother Caden lived in Turnersville, about twenty minutes away.

  Rourke pulled up next to the curb at the end of the street. She slowly got off, and all her worst predictions came true. Her legs and ass were killing her. She unsnapped her helmet, pulled out her ponytail, and shook her hair out. Cheyenne had given her sound advice. Tie down her hair, or she’d have tangles for days.

  Her first step toward the sidewalk was brutally painful. She wiggled her legs, then crouched down to the ground.

  “Told ya,” Rourke muttered, but she heard him.

  Macy stood “How do you do that for hours at a time?”

  Rourke rolled the bike back and glanced up at her with a half-smile. “You get used to it.”

  “You owe me a butt massage.”

  He growled. “I’ll pay that debt.”

  They made their way to the sidewalk, and Macy scanned the area. Oh, my God. From where she stood, she could see all of Main Street. All three blocks. A total of six buildings with individual storefronts on each. There were a few benches on the sidewalk. It was someone’s idea to make it more welcoming. It was a pitiful effort, but an effort all the same. It was a quaint and small town. The only thing missing were people.

  “Where is everybody?”

  Rourke shrugged. “Most of the commercial stuff is vacant. There’s a small diner on corner.” He pointed to left on the opposite side of the street. “There’s a market at the very end, and next to it is a gas station.” He cocked his brow. “One pump.”

  “That’s all the businesses?”

  “For now.” He started walking, and she rushed to catch up. It was odd to be the only people around.

  As they neared the first block, she caught a few cars parked on the side road and an older couple walking into the diner. When the older woman glanced over, she immediately waved. Macy smiled and waved back. She leaned next to Rourke.

  “It’s almost like stepping back in time.”

  “For now.”

  She jerked her head. “Why do you keep saying that?”

  Rourke shrugged. “’Cause things will be different in a year when everyone makes the move and opens up their businesses. Gage and Dobbs are planning on opening a junkyard on the edge of town. The club is opening up a parts store there.” He pointed across the street to the building on the second block.

  “Which one?” The building had several separated storefronts.

  Rourke snorted. “The whole building. They plan on gutting it and taking over the entire building.”

  “Damn, the club must be doing well.”

  “Five fucking years in the making.” She wanted to ask what he meant, but he pointed across the street to the corner on the third block. “One of the brother’s old ladies is opening a coffee shop there.”

  Macy giggled and grasped his hand. “I can’t wait to come back when it’s all done.”

  He tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her closer. He didn’t say anything, but she felt as though he wanted to. She hadn’t talked in detail with Cheyenne about the move, but she knew Trax was building a house for them. Cheyenne held back on specifics, probably because Macy never asked. She was happy for her best friend, but it wasn’t lost on Macy, her move would mean they wouldn’t see each other often.

  A bit of her excitement died down. Being in Ghosttown was a reminder she and Cheyenne would have to sit and figure out how to make it work covering the orders with them in two separate locations. She dropped her head and stared down at the concrete as they continued toward the end of Main Street.

  Rourke hadn’t mentioned whether he was moving with the club. After the three-hour ride, she was realizing he probably would. It was too far to commute. Her shoulders sagged. Suddenly, she was regretting coming to Ghosttown. We should have stayed naked in bed.

  Rourke abruptly stopped, and she jerked her head.

  “What do ya think?” he asked, looking at the building in front of them.

  She stared up at the storefront. The window was hazed over with dirt, and the only thing visible was the for-rent sign. She moved closer. It was one of the smaller stores. She cupped her eyes, glancing in through the window. It was narrow but a decent size. There were a few barren shelves on the right wall and some garbage littered on the floor.

  “Uh, what am I looking at here?”

  “A store. It ain’t big, but for a starter, it’s good, I think. There’s a small office behind the back wall and access to a parking lot for the businesses. A decent bathroom and a small storage room. Shit needs to be gutted ’cause the layout sucks, but shouldn’t be too big of a project, probably have it done in three months.”

  She jerked her head. She wasn’t following.

  “For who, the club?” She asked.

  “You and Chey.”

  She whipped around and widened her eyes. “What?”

  Rourke lifted his chin over her head. “Trax and I checked it out. Like I said, storage is small, but enough to keep more stock than ya got in his closet and your apartment right now.” He shrugged. “Probably double.”

  She laughed without humor and scratched her forehead. “Wait, I’m confused.” She stared back at the storefront, and while it was a current disaster, she could almost see herself there. After renovations, of course. Renovations I can’t afford. She sighed. “We’re not even close to having what we need for startup, Rourke.” It was a gut-wrenching truth.

  Rourke cleared his throat. “Trax and I will cover ya.”

  She spun around. “What?”

  He shrugged and gestured to the building behind her. “The store is yours if ya want it. Rent free. You just gotta pay for renovations, taxes.” He paused and eyed her. “And five percent of your quarterly earning goes to the club.”

  She held up her hand. “Rourke, I’m so confused right now.”

  He tugged her into his chest. “The club owns the building.” He raised his brows. “All of them. No rent, but five percent of your quarterly earnings goes back to the club. It’s the same with all the businesses opening up.” He drew in a breath. “Mine too.”

  “Yours?”

  He nodded. “Trax and I are gonna go in together, open a garage. The lot is about two miles from here.”

  Her heart sank. “You’re moving here?” she whispered and jerked her head away from his when she realized her eyes began to tear. She pulled away slightly, but Rourke had other plans. He yanked her into his side and slid his hand under her chin, forcing her to meet his stare.<
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  “Yeah, me, Trax, Chey.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “You.”

  Her heart raced at the insinuation. “Me?”

  He snorted. “Fuck, I mean, I can’t exactly kidnap ya, but yeah, I want ya here.” He sighed, glancing up at the store. “It’s yours if ya want it, if not, we’ll see what else is available. But I gotta say, Trax and I checked most of them out and thought this one would work for you and Chey.”

  It was all too much. He wanted her to move with him to Ghosttown and possibly live with him. He hadn’t been specific as to where she would live. She glanced back at the storefront and smiled. She and Cheyenne would finally get their dream shop. With his money. The realization stomped down hard on her excitement. She turned around and forced a smile.

  “I can’t take your money,” she whispered.

  Rourke snorted. “I’m not giving you any.”

  She furrowed her brows. “You’re not?” She was back to being confused. Her brain was going to need a long rest after this.

  “Fuck no, knew you wouldn’t take it even if I offered, which I’m not, ’cause ya get all pissy when you’re offended.” The corner of his mouth curled. “I wanna invest.”

  “In what?”

  His finger grazed under her chin. “You.”

  He wanted to invest in her. Because he believed in her? There were few moments when Macy was overly emotional, but this was one of them. She swallowed the lump in her throat, unable to speak. He must have sensed it.

  “Mace, it’s a loan, same as you’d get with a bank. We put up the cash, ya pay us back. Real fucking simple.”

  “So, this would be like a partnership until we repaid our debt?”

  He nodded with a small shrug. He didn’t seem a bit concerned about being paid back, but he and Trax both would be.