Page 95 of Road to Absolution

I swallowed. “Please talk to me.”

She pointed over to her right. Leaning on a kickstand was a blue bike.

Worried she didn’t understand how bikes were affecting me presently, I looked back to her and shook my head.

Again, her soft hands touched my face, and long graceful fingers brushed through my hair. “I was once told I needed a fixer-upper. A car with a past so I didn’t feel so lonely.”

My mouth fell open. I was the one who had told her that. I helped her pick out her car, and I helped Tucker, John, and Diesel fix it up her Senior year.

Love exuded from my wife. “You are my hero because you helped me see a car and not see him.” Her golden eyes welled. “Now I need you to do the same for yourself.” She tapped my nose. “I need you to give this bike a chance like I did with my car. I need you to someday see that blue beauty as one of your girls… and no longer see them.” Her lips trembled in a smile.

My throat was impossibly tight, but I croaked out, “Anything for you.”

With trembling legs, I stood, staring at the only one I would do this for.

From her chair, looking like a goddess, she slowly nodded. “Like I would read in one of my books, ride off into a sunset, baby.”

Panting, I faced the old bike that echoed of a past and stories I may never know, then took a step forward, trying to be willing to add to all its tales.

This new tale would’ve been in Lilah’s book, something like this: The one who felt lost, somewhere between being a man and a child, let the feel of the earth under his feet guide him to a new chapter. The love of his life whispered encouragement as she guided his soul toward one of the scariest challenges he would ever have to face.

Keys already in the ignition, I hiked a leg and sat down on my motorcycle. I placed the helmet, hanging on a handlebar, on my head and strapped it on.

They kept their distance, but men slowly gathered. The hunger in their eyes told me how much they loved to ride. It was time I figured out what they craved.

“I’ve ridden a lot of bikes, but not this big.”

Rogue’s green eyes flashed eagerly. “Gears work the same. You’ll adjust to the weight while you ride.”

With a nod, not as confident as I would like, I turned the key.

I swallowed as it rumbled to life.

Tuck walked up to my side. “Light said to tell you to ‘ride with the wind’.”

Anything for you.

I told her brother, “I’m leaving you in charge of her.”

Someone dipping their chin to my left caught my attention. It was Diesel, very proud I had heard his message and learned from his mistake.

I asked him, “You and Scorch feel like joining me?”

Without a word, they both walked toward their parked bikes.

I swallowed… then took hold of the handles.

Standing the bike up, to balance its weight, I kicked back the stand. I shifted into first gear then turned the throttle. As the bike rode forward, I let my feet skim the ground to test out the weight. Gravel moved under my sneakers and tires.

Rogue was right. The weight was an easy adjustment.

My side mirrors each showed a reflection of a bike, waiting patiently for me to pick up speed. I was a Prospect. I was supposed to be last in line, but not today. These wise men let me lead because it was my life that we were trying to save…

After rolling through the gates, I lifted my feet and changed gears. And I… rode with the wind…