A Rock An A Hard Place

The bike shop

Kolby's POV

I spent the day assisting Randon at the bike shop, and he's been wearing a grin that could light up a room since Haven returned home. It was as if the very air around him had brightened, infused with the joy of her presence. Haven had been living in Tennessee while Jaxon was stationed there, but he tragically lost his life in combat about 16 months ago. Attending his funeral was one of the most heart-wrenching experiences I've ever had. The somber atmosphere, the muffled sobs, and the sight of Haven, so fragile and broken, will forever be etched in my memory. She struggled immensely; their relationship had already faced so many challenges, especially during the times he cheated and while he was deployed. They had plans to mend their relationship, and he was due to come home in just three days when the unthinkable happened. It was painful to witness her turmoil—she was a whirlwind of anger, sadness, and grief all at once, a storm that raged within her, leaving her feeling lost and alone.

Mama and I decided not to tell Brantley about the funeral; he was already dealing with so much, and I couldn't imagine how he would have felt attending the service of the one person he truly despised for taking Haven away from him. Brantley had always been protective of her, and the thought of him facing the man who had caused her so much pain was unbearable. Haven loved my brother deeply, though she would never openly admit it. Their relationship had been a complicated tapestry of emotions, woven together with threads of love, heartache, and unspoken words. That pivotal day when she got her period marked a shift in their relationship, a moment that signified her transition into womanhood and the deepening of their bond. He was her prom date, and they shared so many significant moments together, each one a building block in the foundation of their connection.

I still remember the time a football player humiliated her during the end of her freshman year by stealing her clothes, forcing her to run out onto the field naked. The memory is vivid, a snapshot of raw emotion and bravery. Brantley didn't hold back; he took on the entire varsity football team for her, fueled by a fierce protectiveness that left me in awe. I watched as he leaped over three rows of spectators to reach her, his determination palpable. Haven, wrapped in my jacket, was carried off the field by Brantley, her face a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude

At that time, I was 18 and Brantley was 20, soon to turn 21. He was incredibly protective of her, even though she was just 14, nearing 15. It's amusing how he's always been that way. Now, I'm 33 and she's 29. Brantley stood up for her at her wedding to Jaxon, who used to be a good friend of his and a respected member of the motorcycle club. However, everything changed when Jaxon began cheating on her with his ex-wife. I never had the balls to tell Brantley about it none of us did especially knowing what the outcome could be. Jaxon had a history of being abusive when he drank, and during one of those episodes, he seriously injured her, breaking her eye socket and sending her to the hospital. That's when Randon, Eli, PJ, Jamison, daddy and I intervened, sobering him up and making him face the consequences of his actions against his wife.

As I shake off thoughts of our child, I park the truck and step into the bike shop. There, I spot Haven and Michelle chatting with Ashleigh. I greet all three with a kiss on the cheek. Ashleigh mentions she dropped Cam off to learn how to fix his bike, saying if he's going to ride, he needs to know how. I can't help but smile when she shares that Cam is about to prospect, with Brantley and Eli as his sponsors. My boy and Barrett will also be up for prospecting when they're old enough.

Entering the shop, I make my way to Mrs. October from Harley Digest, the face of the Harley calendar, and the star of the short film about girls who ride. She's always been my favorite—Georgia Mae, with her fiery red hair, striking emerald eyes, full lips, and curves that could stop traffic. I envision her as my future wife one day. I give her cutout a kiss and dive into my work.

Brantley's POV

I was at the Georgia peach orchard, picking up Cam's bike for him and Eli since I had the flatbed today. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the rows of trees heavy with ripe fruit, and the sweet scent of peaches filled the air. Kolby was using my truck because his was in the shop after he curbed a tire and blew it out last week. I couldn't help but shake my head at the thought; sometimes I wondered if he really had a clue about how to handle a vehicle. It was a miracle he hadn't gotten into more trouble than he had.

Cam was thrilled to have me, Eli, and Kolby supporting him as he prepared to prospect. The excitement in the air was palpable, and I could see the determination in Cam's eyes. I felt a swell of pride for my godson; he had taken a few rides on one of my bikes this year with Eli and me during our motorcycle club outings. Each ride had been a lesson, not just in handling a bike, but in camaraderie and the unspoken bonds that formed among us as we roared down the open road.

His girlfriend, a sweet girl with a bright smile, couldn't officially be his old lady until she turned 18, but he mentioned he plans to get her a kutte that says "Property of Lil Coop" when the time comes. The thought made me chuckle; it was a rite of passage in our world, a way to signify commitment and loyalty. He wanted everyone in the club to know she was his, and I admired that he was already thinking ahead, planning for their future together. It was a sign of maturity, a step into the life he was eager to embrace.

As I loaded the bike onto the flatbed, I couldn't help but reflect on how quickly time was passing. It felt like just yesterday that Cam was a little kid, riding on the back of my bike, his laughter echoing in my ears. Now, he was on the brink of adulthood, ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead. I hoped he would navigate this new chapter with the same passion and enthusiasm he had shown in everything else. With Eli and Kolby by his side, I knew he had a solid support system, and I was proud to be part of it.

I strolled back, playfully smacking my brother on the back of the head. I gave Coop  a friendly pat on the shoulder and did the same for Cam as I passed by them, making my way to the desk to settle up with Michelle the wife of Jamison, the VP of our club and the county sheriff. He was a solid guy, one of my closest friends. When I reached Michelle, I asked, "How much do I owe you, darlin'?" She just shook her head and replied, "You know that flirting won't lower the price, right?" I chuckled and said, "I know, darlin'. Randon and I discussed a price a couple of weeks ago. We wanted Cam to get new brakes and a tune-up on his bike." She smiled and said, "That's sweet! If you give him your first bike..." I replied, "If that bike could talk, it would have some wild stories to tell." She laughed as I paid her and then headed to the farm to drop off the broken bike in the doghouse before picking up my kids from my mom. She had taken them yesterday because she was feeling lonely, as she put it.

If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought she was marrying him solely because he was a doctor at a prestigious hospital in Atlanta. I tried to push aside the memories of my encounter with Amber as far as I could. After unloading my bike, I finally made my way to Mama's house to see my kids, the only reason I was still going at this point. As I pulled into the driveway, I was eager to share the latest antics of my lovely daughter-in-law.
Entering the house with divorce papers in hand, I spotted my dad dozing on the couch, Bray nestled comfortably on his chest. Mama and Barrett were busy in the kitchen, often teaming up to grandparent when all the kids were around. Kolby must have dropped off his boys and baby girl earlier, prompting Mama to call Papa for backup. I chuckled at the thought of that frantic phone call he must have received just as Cricia emerged from the laundry room. I greeted both ladies with a kiss on the cheek and shared Amber's latest escapade, including the impressive diamond already adorning her finger.