Page 3 of Oops! I Fell for the Biker Next Door

It’s fine. Really. He barely got out a greeting before I bolted, and whatever brought him back here has nothing to do with me. Even if he caught me off guard by remembering who I am, he has zero reason to come knocking.

I let out a sigh, pinching the dry leaf of a struggling potted plant. It needs sunlight, but the dread of running into him keeps me glued to the chair.

Half of these plants won't make it through the coming winter if I don't build my greenhouse, but my brain can't focus on soil or seeds.

Then, a deep rumble rattles the windowpanes, bringing me out of my worried thoughts about my plants.

I press against the glass and peek through the slats. There he is—in the flesh, clad in heavy black leather. The insignia patched across his back leaves no room for doubt. A motorcycle club? Is that where he disappeared to?

The patch is one that's familiar in town; there's no way he's been living at the base this entire time. I would've seen him by now; I'm sure of it. He would've visited more often.

He would've given me at least a single, agonizing hello after ten years.

I force myself to look away before I can dwell on how unfairly well the years have treated him, watching as he tears down the drive, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

Returning to my latest hobby, I finally step out onto the porch to set the potted plant beside the others to soak up what few hours of sunlight the sky has to give. Glancing next door, the urge to confront Mary Lou burns in my chest.

Why now? How long until he disappears again for another decade?

I need to steel myself. Because this time, I can't afford to let him close enough to break me again. One thing I know for certain—I'm not going to fall hopelessly in love with Lucas Cross again.

However, the traitorous heat coiled in my stomach tells me my resolve won’t stand a chance. I’d fallen for him so easily back then—and old habits die hard.

It unfortunately doesn't take long for me to run into Lucas again.

I'd already known his mother was getting moved out eventually, but I hadn't realized it was this soon. Even if I had a reason to stay away, I couldn't. Not while I had maintained a relationship with her over the years.

We're next-door neighbors, after all. I'd be heartless if I didn't say goodbye because I was too scared to face her son.

"You can easily come visit me. I'm sure I'm going to need all the company I can get," she says, clicking her tongue fondly.

For the first time in ten agonizing minutes, Logan stops boring holes into the side of my head. He'd taken notice of me the moment I stepped off my porch, and I don't think he's looked away since.

Pretending I didn't feel his eyes on me was easy enough. The hard part was ignoring the traitorous flutter in my chest every time I accidentally made eye contact.

He drops to one knee beside her wheelchair, his bulky frame softening instantly. "I already told you, Ma. There are a lot of nice people in that community—and not just old folks, either. You're going to love it. Tonya's still going to keep you company, too. Don't you worry."

While he convinces her to go without holding a grudge against him, I watch the aide finish packing the transport vehicle of her necessities.

"All set, Ms. Cross," Tonya calls out, sliding the vehicle’s back door shut. "We should get moving before the afternoon traffic hits."

Mary Lou nods, her smile turning a bit tight. There's no doubt in my mind that she's going to hate adjusting to something new, but surprisingly enough, I agree with Lucas. I think it'll be good for her. She'll have enough care surrounding her, and she won't have to lift a finger ever again, from what I've been told. With how much her knees have been bothering her of late, this'll be good.

Lucas stands once more, and I'm forced to remember just how tall this guy is. He towers over me, and most definitely over his mother while she's secured in her wheelchair. Rounding her, he grabs the handles to push her toward the vehicle. Before he can, he pauses when she reaches out toward me.

Without hesitating, I sink to her level and pull her into a hug.

"You take care of yourself, dear. Don't keep to yourself too much," she whispers softly against my ear. "Get out a little more, will you?"

I just nod, trying my best to swallow down the lump in my throat.

Stepping back, I watch as they load her in. Tonya gives us a small wave before the van pulls down the drive, leaving us behind in a cloud of dust.

Once the engine's rumble dies into total silence, reality sets in. It’s just the two of us now. The wide-open yard suddenly feels suffocatingly small.

I take a deep breath to steady my racing pulse. "Lucas—"

Before the name fully leaves my mouth, he steps into my space. He’s so close I can smell the faint heat of his skin, tobacco, and worn leather. Looking up at him, the distant, cautious speech I rehearsed completely vanishes.