DaltonIt's a shitty day, cold with rain, almost freezing, coming down in sheets atop the garage. Hard to believe it's almost April, but sometimes our worst weather is in March. No one speaks over the noise, preferring to not wreck their voice, not even the radio we have playing in the background can be heard. "It gets much colder out there and we'll be fucked."It's shameful to admit, but I can't tell if it's Tyler or Caelin speaking to me. They both sound the exact same now that Caelin's balls have dropped. Shit, I mean gotten a little older. Sneaking a peak in between the spot my arm makes, I see it's the younger of the two."True." I turn so we face one another. "What are you doing here today? I thought you were at the clubhouse?""I was told to bring you this phone."My gaze moves down to the iPhone he holds in his hand. I eye it like it's a snake. "The fuck you bringing me a phone for?"He shrugs. "Just do as I'm told. You should be getting a call in the next halfh
Mandy"How did your conversation with Dalton go?"I hold my phone call with him close to my chest, not wanting to share it with anyone, even Dr. Crawford, even though she's the one who's brought me far enough to be able to recognize most of my bad habits."It was good," I allow. "Just good?"Taking a deep breath, I trudge ahead, trying to explain with a limited vocabulary how hearing his voice made me feel. "It was as if a cloudy, rainy day was pushed aside and the sun shined, birds sang, and a rainbow appeared. I had no idea how much I missed him.""You didn't want to tell me all of that." She makes a note on her pad of paper. "Thank you for pushing past it.""It's just…" I situate myself on the couch, pulling my leg up under me. "It's always felt like everything involving my relationship has included more than the two people in the relationship. My brother is best friends with Dalton, Dalton and my brother run Heaven Hill together, and before that Dalton was under my d
Dalton"Mail call." Caelin drops an envelope on the couch in my dorm. Stepping out from the bathroom, still brushing my teeth, I walk slowly over to where he placed it. From where I stand I can see it's pink, and I truly have no idea who might send me a damn pink letter.Tilting my head to the side as I keep brushing, I see the familiar feminine handwriting undeniably Mandy's. Excitement makes me gasp, causing me to swallow a mouthful of toothpaste. "Shit," I cough, running back to the bathroom. Bending down, I cup my palm and get as much water as I can before rinsing my mouth out. Hurrying, I dry my hands off as best I can, running back out into the dorm. Walker's gone to school, so I don't feel bad when I shut the door from my room leading to his. This is private, perhaps even more than the first one. I've heard her voice now, the voice I know and love. It was full of life, and everything that makes Mandy, Mandy. It wasn't the lifeless voice I've heard over the past f
MandyI can't believe he wrote me back. Writing and correspondence haven't been a part of Dalton's life since we used letters in high school to communicate, but I'm excited as I rip into the envelope.Babe,I have to admit, I didn't even really read through all the list you gave me. I made it through the second point when I was reminded of that one New Year's Eve. You know which one I'm talkin' about, right?Your mom and dad watched the kids. We had a little too much Jack and Coke. You even smoked a little with me, and we were both feeling really good? I picked you up by the waist and threw you over my shoulder. Then out in the open, I stuck my hand between your legs.You remember?You were so wet and had me so hard we almost fucked in the hallway.My cheeks flush and burn at the same time. The night he's describing I remember like the back of my hand. That was one of the most passionate encounters we've ever had.And smoking with him? It isn't something I do often, bu
Dalton"Are you nervous?" Looking up, I see Liam standing in the doorway of my dorm. I'm doing my best not to show it, but fuck yeah, I'm nervous."Yeah.""You know she'll be okay, right?"He ambles over to the couch I have in here, taking a seat on it. He's slower than he used to be in most everything, but sitting down and getting up is hard on him. Hell, it'll be hard on all of us after we get past fifty."I always thought she would be," I admit to him. "But this last time, it scared the shit outta me.""Scared all of us, Dalton. But she's learning what she needs to, in order to have a great life.""I thought we had a great life." I pull a brush through my hair, anything to keep my hands moving."You did, you do, but you know as well as I do that mental health isn't one size fits all. You're doing the right thing here, going to visit her today."This is the day I've waited for, for so long. The day I'll finally get to see her and I'm scared as fuck. What if in th
MandySitting across from Dalton is worth everything I've done to get to this point. Seeing him again is my present for all this pain I've endured, for the work I've accomplished, even when I haven't been sure if what I'm doing is working."You look really good." I smile, holding his hand tightly across the table.What I wouldn't give to lay in his arms right now. "You do too, babe. God I've missed you."Those words make my soul feel lighter, they get rid of some of the doubt and punishment I've put on myself. "How's Walker? I wish he could have come with you.""He's good, doing much better since you wrote him that letter."Our conversation flounders, and I know it's not because there isn't a lot to say. It's because we're nervous. Which makes sense; the last time we saw each other, wasn't good for either one of us. One of the things I've realized in my therapy is I need to be the one to start the conversation."I'm sorry." I tilt my head to the side, pulling my
DaltonAfter the amazing day I had yesterday, I didn't expect this one to be such shit. I overslept, was late to work, got Walker to school late, had to run back to the clubhouse to get something he left, and ran out of gas on my way to the school.Which is why I'm sitting here on the side of the road waiting for someone to pick me up. I'm in a foul as hell mood when a little sports car speeds by but then brakes and pulls a U-turn in the middle of the road, coming back to where I wait."Who the fuck is this?" Already I'm on the defensive, and I don't want to fuck with anyone today. Scratch that, they don't want to fuck with me. They come to a stop in front of my bike and get out. Tennis shoes cover the feet of the person getting out. Nothing I recognize, but then again unless they're popular sports shoes that my son asks for, I'm not noticing them. Those fucking pansy ass skinny jeans are tight against their legs, and as they get out, standing to their full height, I see
WalkerThere are so many things about home I miss. My bed.The smell of breakfast cooking in the morning when I get up.The scent of Dad as he comes in from working on his motorcycle and it's cold outside. The familiarity of everything.But most of all, I miss my mom.How we all used to be together as a family. I haven't felt togetherness like that in months. At first I thought it was hard not having my dad around, but now trying to sleep without my mom? It's even harder. Especially when she isn't here to do the stuff we enjoy together."You ready for bed?"I've told Dad over and over again he doesn't have to check on me like this. I'm not a little kid anymore, and honestly, I've been taking care of Mom while he hasn't been around. I don't need anyone to take care of me, but I know he looks forward to this. "Yeah, can you hand me the remote?"For as long as I can remember I've fallen asleep to the TV. It's always been my comfort. This one isn't as big as the on
William Walker Jr., 85 of Bowling Green, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence. The Warren County native was the son of the late William Walker Sr. and Lauren Walker. He was the husband of Denise Walker, who survives.He was the owner of Walker's Wheels.His legacy will be carried on through the members of the Heaven Hill MC, Bowling Green Chapter, and the numerous friends who became family. Liam, as he was known to everyone who cared for him, had a gift of taking people who had given up on themselves or had no direction, and showing them they were worth putting work into. Over the years many have found themselves under his tutelage. Hundreds have called him friend, and others have called him family. He took great pride in who he was, and what he did. The loss of him is a hole that won't be filled - ever.He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Denise. Son Drew (Charity), daughters Mandy (Dalton), and Tatum (Remy), sister Sharon (Rooster), nephew Carter (Storm), numer
HarleyFifteen Years Later "Are you sure you want me to teach you, and not your dad?" I question Erick, looking up at him, because he's now taller than me. He grins, the one so much like his dad I have to do a double-take. "No matter how good he is on the back of a bike, I think everyone knows you're better." "I wouldn't say that. He can hold his own, but I've been riding longer than him." "Exactly," he runs a hand through his shoulder-length hair. "He can show me how to do all the mechanic shit, but I want you to teach me how to ride." I should reprimand him for the curse word, but he hears it so often with the group we hang around. It'd be like telling him not to breathe. "Okay," I nod. "The first thing I want you to know is you're going to be wearing a helmet until you're eighteen and can make your own decision about what you want to do." "Mom," he groans. "Don't mom me. It's what's going to happen. It's a right of passage, and you're go
Harley"He looks like us, doesn't he?" I whisper to Justice as we sit on the screened-in back porch at Grandma and Gramps' house. "He does," she coos. "Those eyes and the set of his chin are one-hundred percent Walker. His little wisp of blonde hair. Are you going to let yours go back to blonde?" She asks, lifting up a lock of my still-dark hair. "I don't know, I kinda like it. Not that I want to be different than you, but it sets us apart." "It does and I understand. You should do whatever you want. "His lips are Bishop's, though. Full and plump, always ready for a smirk or a smile. I think he's got his forehead too." Grandma walks in. "Give me that baby. He looks so much like Drew did when he was his age." I roll my eyes. "Don't give Dad any more bragging rights than he already has. He's been almost unbearable to put up with. You'd think he pushed this kid out of his vagina." "He doesn't have one," Justice points out. "Exactly."
BishopCarrying my son out for the members of Heaven Hill to meet him is one of the proudest moments of my life. There are still remnants of tears below my eyes and I can't be bothered to wipe them away. This is one of those moments I don't mind showing my emotions. The doors open and there they all are, standing and waiting. "Hey." I smile up at them over his head. "How's Harley?" Justice asks immediately. "She's good. They're sewing her up and then she'll be okay for visitors. She told me to tell you not to leave, she wants to see you." Immediately, her shoulders relax. It must've been hard for her to be out here knowing her twin was going through everything inside those doors. "I'd like you all to meet Erick Walker." There's a murmur of confusion as everyone questions his last name. Drew puts his hand on my shoulder. "Bishop came to me a little while ago and asked if he could take my last name. He and Harley plan on getting married at some p
HarleyAfter sex with Bishop, I fell into the best sleep I've had in what seems to be months. When I'm jolted awake by a pain stretching across my abdomen and a gush of wetness between my legs, I'm more surprised than anything. I gasp loudly. "Lee, you okay?" His voice is sleepy and I don't want to disturb him if I don't have to, but as another pain stretches across my abdomen and then goes down into my back, I know I need to. "I think my water broke." I gasp as the pain keeps going. "How far apart are they?" We went to the classes they offer but, truth be told, I'm blanking on everything they told us right now. So much for paying attention. "I just woke up so I haven't been able to time them, but I know if my water's broken we need to get to the hospital." "Your bag is here, isn't it?" "Yeah I have one here, at the shop, at home. Just in case." I grimace as I try to sit up, but this has been hell on my core muscles. "Give me a minute and I'll
Bishop"If you roll over one more time, you're going to roll off this bed." "I can't get comfortable," she grumbles. "My belly's too big. I can't sleep and I just wanna be able to lie on my stomach. I haven't been able to do it in months. I wish you could feel this. It's annoying," she complains, turning over so that she's cuddled up against the body pillow she's taken to sleeping with. "Do you want me to shove a pillow under my shirt? Put a watermelon around my waist?" I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard, but whatever it takes to put her at ease, I'll do. "That's a great idea. There's a cantaloupe in the kitchen, why don't you go grab it?" She's absolutely not kidding. The tone of her voice isn't playing around. I squeak out. "Right now?" "Why not? If I can't sleep, why should you?" She says with an evil laugh. "Alright, if I'm getting up, so are you." "Easy buddy, I'm already awake." She reaches out, without words, ask
Harley"Get out of here." I shoo Will's hand away. "We're gonna eat in less than an hour.""I've watched you, you keep eating," he complains."I am heavily pregnant," I argue with him. "It's fucking hot and my ankles are swollen, do not argue with me."Bishop grabs Will's hand. "C'mon, little man, let's go play some Call of Duty with Caelin.""Gladly." He sticks his tongue out at me."You've got to be nicer to him," Mom admonishes me.Justice interrupts. "She's got to be nicer to everybody.""You try carrying around a watermelon on the front of your body and see how you feel," I retort. "I'm fucking uncomfortable.""It gets better," Grandma says as she comes over to rub my shoulders. "I know it's hard to think it's going to, but it will. I promise.""I'm so sick of people saying it's going to get better," I grumble. "Every time I go and they make me spread my legs, I dread it. She did this thing called scraping my membranes this week. I mean, what the fuck? It hurt so bad. Like, do I
BishopI'm nervous as I watch Drew across the bays. This is something I never thought I would do and since we talked about how Liam wasn't his biological father, I've gone back and forth, wondering if this was the right decision. In the end, I know it is. He catches me looking, narrowing his eyes in a what the fuck way. Putting my hands in my jeans pockets, I walk over to him. "You mind if we talk?" Immediately, he looks worried. "Is everything okay?" "Harley's fine, but what I want to speak to you about has to do with her." "Okay, wanna go behind the shop?" "I wanna ask her to marry me." I hold up my hand. "But I have a request for you. I wanna take the Walker last name." He opens his mouth, then shuts it, before opening it again. My stomach drops and my heart pounds. The silence stretches on between us and I'm worried about what I've just requested. "I'm sorry, you don't have to say anything." He reaches out, holding on tightly t
Harley"Eight more weeks and it's looking like he might come early. You're carrying low. He's a good weight, though, so as long as we can keep him in four to six more, you're good," Doctor Simmons says as she checks me. "Have you been having any pain or anything?" "No." I shake my head then think better about it. "Actually, yeah I did. Bishop and I were..." I stop, not sure how to proceed without being crass. "Being intimate and I felt some pressure." "Was there bleeding afterward?" "No, it just got uncomfortable very quick. To the point where I had to ask Bishop to stop. I've never done that before, not since we had sex for the first time." My face flames as I tell this woman more than I ever expected to. "It's okay," she explains. "You're going to be feeling more pressure the closer you get to him coming. Like I said, you're already carrying low. The lower he gets, the worse it's going to be for you. Your hips are widening and preparing for you to give birth,