Hawk
Funerals are never easy. I don’t care how old you are. It’s like you’re coming face to face with the inventible when you’re staring down the dark hole of the resting place of your brother. The reaper is out in full force today, tapping each of us on the shoulder, telling us it’s only a matter of time before we join him in the fires of Hades.
Bubba left us far too soon.
But he left us a hero.
If he hadn’t stepped up, Lick might have lost his family. Jenni and the two kids, Lick’s niece and nephew, could have been victims of a drugged-up POS. Bubba went against Cut’s orders to stay the fuck away until he proved himself to the club. After he betrayed us, betrayed Sin for some fucking blow, there was a good reason why he was told to stay the fuck away from anything Fury. He put his need to get high above the bond of brotherhood, and that wasn’t something that you ever do, but damn if he didn’t gain back the respect of the club, and especially Sin. Savannah and Grace were there that day. The thought of Sin losing those two girls is something none of us can fathom. Actions always speak louder than words, and as soon as Bubba threw his body in front of Jenni and that gun, we knew where his loyalty laid.
Fury bound, Fury proud.
Not too far away from Bubba’s final resting spot is my father’s headstone. The stone is worn and weathered. It seems like he’s been gone a lot longer than what he has. My memories of him seem to fade with each passing day, and I have no problem with that. I’m still not sure where I stand when it comes to him and what he did to my mother. I haven’t brought it up to Cut, or any of the other guys.
“Who the fuck?” Sin’s voice pulls my thought away from my father.
As soon as I see them, my legs move in their direction. Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around Tessa and kiss her temple. Her arms tighten around me as her body collapses into mine. “How did you know?”
“Bianca—” her voice breaks. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
I run my hand down the silk of her hair and bury my nose in the crook of her neck. I inhale her scent, one that I never thought I’d smell again. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
She gives off a hesitant laugh. “Me either.”
Tessa Reese is here. She’s in Las Cruces.
I pull away from her body and watch as she wipes the tears from her eyes. She knew Bubba. She knew him when he was just Keith. When he would walk the halls of our high school flashing all the girls his killer smile. He was larger than life back then. That was all before he took his first solo ride on his bike. Before he wore the patch. Before he fell victim to the drugs. When life was simpler. When we were younger. She knew him.
Without any words, I bend down and scoop Sam into my arms. He doesn’t hesitate when he wraps his arms around my neck and takes a deep breath. “Are you smelling me, buddy?” He nods his head excited, and it makes me laugh. My chest feels lighter with him in my arms and her next to me. I feel whole. I’m also terrified because I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold onto that feeling.
“Tessa?” Sin calls out. I glance over my shoulder and see him, Dyke, Brass, and Cut approach us. Behind them, Lick stays rooted in one spot with his back towards us and his phone to his ear.
“Matthew.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“What are you doing here? And who’s this?” He points to Sam.
Her eyes cut to me and I can see the guilt on her face. “Um…I’ve decided to move back.” I watch her throat bob as she swallows. “And this is my son, Sam.” He turns to my brothers and waves.
Sin’s lips go tight as his jaw ticks. He turns towards me. “It seems that you’ve been keeping secrets from me, brother.” He stalks off without another word.
“Just let him be. He’ll get over it,” Cut tells me but continues to look at Tessa. Dyke and Brass take the silence as an opportunity to leave. They each pat Cut on the shoulder as they head towards their bikes, and only moments later I hear to the roar of four bikes, so I know that Lick has gone too.
“Where’ve you been, Tessa? I didn’t expect to see you around here again,” Cut asks.
“I’ve been in L.A., and I didn’t expect to ever come back here.”
“Listen, Cut–”
“No, Hawk. I’m not listening to you right now. I’m the one talking.” His gaze falls to Sam who’s studying Cut. When he brings his eyes back to Tessa, I see understanding. “I know, what running from demons is like, Tessa.” His gaze between the two of us. “I hope you stick around for a while. Sin will get over whatever stick is up to his ass. I’m sure it has to do with the shit he doesn’t know. It’s up to you to tell him and get him to understand. We didn’t only have one sister, Tessa. Blood or not, you were just as much our sister as she was. When we lost Sienna that day, we lost you too. Sin isn’t always so forgiving but give him time.”
Tessa wipes another round of tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Cut.” He nods, and turns towards his bike, leaving the three of us alone.
“Can you show me where Sienna is?”
I nod and adjust my hold on Sam. “She’s this way.” We walk a few rows back until I find the stone with the angel keeping watch. I’ve never come to Sienna’s grave, not since the funeral.
Tessa falls to her knees and then places her hands on the grass. Her body shakes as her hands turn to fists against the earth. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I’m sorry for what happened to you. I’m sorry for not being strong enough and for running. But no more, I’m not running anymore.”
She leans down and places a kiss on the grass then rests her cheek, closing her eyes. After a short time, she lifts herself to her feet and wipes the grass from her hands and clothes. She takes a few steps towards Sam and me, running her hand down his back.
“Tessa, why are you here?” I ask.
“I need a favor.”