Shaded ✔️

CHAPTER 28

Jax was waiting for me in the Jeep, his eyes focused on the space in front of him. I got in the driver's side, starting the car and turning up the music to fill the awkward silence. I pulled into the clubhouse, the car barely stopping before Jax was hopping out and practically sprinting inside. I sighed, resting my head on the steering wheel. The mixed signals I was getting from Jax were giving me whiplash.

"You alright darlin'?" I looked over to see Chuck had stopped in front of my window. I smiled at him, knowing it didn't reach my eyes.

"Getting there."

"You look better than you have in a while." I laughed.

"Thanks Chuck, you really know how to make a girl feel good about herself." He gave me a wry smile.

"Val told me to let you know that there's something in the garage for you. Brought it out from storage, said it's yours if you can fix it." I gave him a confused look, but he just gave me his signature Chuck smile that gave nothing away.

"See you later darlin'." He hopped on his bike, slipping his sunglasses over his eyes and driving off.

I headed over to the garage, wondering what it could be. If Chuck said they got it from storage, it was probably something of Nate's. I opened the garage door, not expecting to see Nate's Harley among the bikes and cars. I sighed a little as I looked at it, my mind playing all the memories I had from this bike in my head like a movie. I ran my fingers over the cold metal, knowing exactly how it got each little scratch and dent. I grabbed the keys, trying to start the thing with no luck. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I thought back to all the times I had watched Nate and the guys work on their bikes, trying to remember anything that could help me. I didn't remember much about the bikes or how they worked, but I knew someone who would. I made my way through the clubhouse to where the guys were hanging around by the bar. I grabbed a beer before I reached him.

"Ash?" he turned around to face me, his messy hair falling across his forehead and into his hazel eyes.

"Scar, hey. How are you darlin'?" I smiled.

"I'm okay, but I have a favour to ask." I held up the beer. He smiled and grabbed it.

"Anything for you Scar." He winked at me before draining the bottle in one go. I nodded my head, impressed. He smirked and gave me a nod, telling me to lead the way. I dragged him through the clubhouse to the garage where my brother's bike was waiting. I heard him suck in a breath when he saw it, his eyes filling with sadness.

"Nate's bike." He said as he ran his hand along the metal. I sometimes forgot that Nate was their brother, their president, but more than that he was their friend, and they were hurting too. I squeezed his hand gently, silently telling him that I knew how much it hurt to see his bike without Nate perched on the back.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't there for you these past months. I forget that you guys are hurting too."

"No one blames you Scar. We just wanted to be there for you, we saw what losing him did to you and we just wanted to help." He squeezed my hand, reminding me that his hand was still in mine. I smiled softly.

"I know. I'm trying."

"We're here for you, darlin'. Every step of the way, you know you have your brothers. Now let's fix this bike so you can get back on the road." I looked up at him excitedly. He released my hand and checked out the bike. It went on like that for about an hour, him working on the bike while I passed him the wrong tools and then resorted to just grabbing us more beers. I was twirling around on one of the desk chairs in the garage when Ash released a big sigh and stepped back from the bike. He looked at me, an excited smile on his face.