The Last Riders - First Four Votes (69 page)

Starting over, she redirected her thoughts, making herself mentally remember what had gone into each order she had filled that day.

She had just finished reciting her fifth order when she thankfully pulled into the driveway of the house she shared with Beth and Razer. Breathing a sigh of relief, Lily got out of her car, going to the door and unlocking it.

Turning on the lights, the tension lessened as she entered the home she had been raised in since her adoption. Shutting the front door, she grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator in the kitchen before then going upstairs to her room.

The soothing colors of her room relieved her nerves even further. Going to the medicine cabinet, she took out a prescription bottle and removed a pill, swallowing it with another drink of the bottled water she had carried upstairs.

Returning to her bedroom, she slipped off her shoes before lying down on her bed that she made every morning before she went downstairs. She pulled the small quilt her mother had made for her that lay on the bottom of her bed over her, rubbing her cheek against the soft material, letting the pill she had taken make her drowsy.

Closing her eyes, she drifted off, escaping the migraine and the look on Shade’s face as he’d watched Rider hold Bliss.

L
ily awoke
from her nap with her headache gone. Finally feeling well enough to wash the smell of the factory off, she took a shower, washing her long hair. Afterward, she dressed in over-large sweat pants and a large t-shirt that hung on her body then brushed her wet hair, leaving it to dry naturally.

Going downstairs barefoot, she found her sister and Razer sitting at the table, eating dinner.

“Are you hungry? I kept a plate warm for you.” Beth’s eyes searched hers as she started to rise from the table.

“No, thanks, maybe later.” Lily picked up a glass from the counter, pouring herself a glass of tea before going into the living room and curling up on the sofa. Flicking on the television, she searched for a program to watch as she listened to Beth and Razer doing the dishes.

Beth eventually came over and sat down on the sofa next to her. “What are you watching?”

“A cooking show.” Lily saw the concerned look on her sister’s face. “Is something wrong?”

“No. No, I guess not,” Beth answered; her eyes looked over Lily’s shoulder then returned to hers. “Razer and I were going to the clubhouse, if it’s all right with you?”

“Of course,” Lily answered.

Beth sighed, getting to her feet and then going upstairs as Razer sat down in the chair next to the couch.

Lily liked Razer. He was laid back and always friendly with her while being a grouch to everyone else.

“How was work today?” he asked casually.

“Fine.” Lily shrugged, not taking her eyes off the television screen. “I’m glad you and Beth are going out. You haven’t been to a party at the clubhouse since I came home from the hospital.” She’d had the misfortune of stopping by Sex Piston’s when both her and T.A.’s exes had decided to rob them.

During the robbery, her hand had been broken and she had developed a hematoma when she had hit her head. Since then, both Beth and Razer had been overprotective. They hadn’t left her one night by herself. Before, they would spend most of their weekends at the clubhouse.

Their new home they were building themselves was even situated behind the clubhouse. It was almost finished and Lily hadn’t been invited to even see it yet.

Her fingers went to the red rubber band on her wrist, snapping it against her flesh.

“What’s bothering you, Lily?”

Razer’s concerned gaze met hers. She gave him a reassuring smile but didn’t confide her hurt feelings at not being invited to the house. She hadn’t wanted to foist herself on them without being invited.

“Nothing that a little rest won’t solve, Razer.” Lily’s eyes went back to the cooking show on the television.

Razer’s cell rang and he headed into the kitchen to answer it.

The program was almost over when Beth came back downstairs. Her pale-blonde hair had been smoothed down and she had put on smoky eye shadow, giving her a sexy look. Her jeans and t-shirt with boots were all casual, yet Lily saw her lay a covered dress bag on the stair rail.

“I can’t wear my skirt on Razer’s bike.” She always explained with the same reason each time she carried her clothes to the clubhouse.

Lily picked at the red rubber band. They treated her like a child, and Lily was becoming frustrated that they watched everything they said around her.

“I guess we’ll be going.”

“Have fun.” Lily rose from the couch, giving her sister a hug, her frustration at her sister’s over-protectiveness disappearing at Beth’s look of concern. “Don’t worry; I’m going to spend the night catching up on my reading.”

Beth gave her a relieved smile. “What are you going to read?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I have one about discovering Alaska that I haven’t read. I usually read inspirational.” Lily smiled. “It may inspire me to leave the lower forty-eight.”

“Alaska?” Beth asked, picking up her dress bag.

“When I graduate, I’m thinking of going there. That’s why I wanted to work this summer. I’ve been saving all my paychecks,” Lily said enthusiastically.

“Lily, give me time to get over almost losing you before you start talking about going to Alaska.”

“All right.” Lily laughed, opening the door for her sister. Beth went out frowning while Razer’s amused chuckle had her looking up into his laughing eyes.

“Lil’ sis, I think you need to dream about visiting a warmer climate.” He followed his wife out the door.

Lily locked the door behind them, already missing their company. She didn’t enjoy being by herself. The problem was, she didn’t fit in with most groups. People her own age thought she was old-fashioned, older groups thought she was immature; the only place she really fit in was at church.

Lily went to the closet and took out her reading bag that she had placed there when she had come home from the library the other day. Taking the oversized bag to the couch, she took a seat, making herself comfortable before she pulled out the large book she was looking for.

The book had a cover of the Alaskan wilderness, which had instantly stirred Lily’s sense of adventure. Opening the book, she relaxed back against the soft cushions, tucking her feet underneath her.

She had just turned to the third page when the doorbell rang. Lily went to the door and checked the peephole, pausing before she opened it.

“Open the door, Lily,” Shade’s impatient voice sounded from the other side.

Lily did as he’d asked, coming face to face with Shade.

He held out his hand with keys in the palm. “Rider fixed the battery in Beth’s car.” Lily wondered why he hadn’t just left it at the clubhouse—Beth could have simply driven it home tomorrow—yet she stayed silent about that.

“Thanks.” Lily reached out, taking the keys from his palm, careful not to touch him.

“Do you mind if I come in? I want to order some Chinese and they won’t deliver to the clubhouse.”

“Of course not.” Lily opened the door wider, letting Shade inside before closing it behind him.

He pulled out his cell and then Lily heard him ordering his food as she retook her seat on the couch. Picking up her book, she started reading again, ignoring the man that had her jumpy again.

Shade took a seat on the couch beside her, looking at the book she was reading. Unconsciously, she stiffened, about to get up from the couch, but Shade’s hand on her thigh pressed her back into the cushions. Taking the book from her, he turned it so that he could look at the pages.

“You like Alaska?”

“Yes,” Lily said, remaining still.

Shade turned another page. “What do you like about it?”

“The snow. I love snow. I like how pretty it looks on the mountains in the winter.” Lily was aware of how silly she sounded.

“It snows in Kentucky,” Shade said absently.

“Not deep like it does in Alaska.” Lily looked at the pictures as he turned the pages, sinking back onto the couch.

“I’ve been to Alaska,” Shade commented.

“You have?” Lily asked, staring at Shade in surprise. She had never met anyone who had ever been there before. “Is it as beautiful as the pictures?”

“Yes, but I was too busy freezing my ass off to appreciate it at the time.”

Lily laughed at his expression.

He began flipping the pages of the book, describing the places he had been to in Alaska. He was describing Juneau when the doorbell rang.

Lily started to get up, but his hand on her thigh pressed her back down onto the couch once more. He went to the door, opening it to the delivery driver, who handed Shade a large bag after Shade pulled out the money to pay him.

Lily watched as Shade closed the door behind the delivery driver. He set the food down on the coffee table before going to the kitchen where he pulled out plates and forks then took out two bottled waters from the fridge.

He returned to the couch, setting the plates down. He then opened the bag of food and began dishing it out onto the two plates.

Lily sat stunned, not knowing what to do except to take the plate he had made for her out of reflex.

“But I thought—” Lily had assumed that he would take the food and leave.

“Eat, Lily. The food would have been cold before I got it back to the clubhouse.”

Lily immediately began eating, satisfied with his explanation. Chinese food was actually one of her favorites, but because Beth didn’t care for it, she didn’t have it often.

Curiously, Lily questioned Shade. “What other places have you been to?”

Lily ate while Shade talked about the different countries he had been to when he had been in the Navy. Listening, she was amazed that he had traveled as much as he had.

“My dad was in the service so we constantly followed him from base to base.”

“I bet that was fun.”

Shade shrugged. “I didn’t mind, but my mother got tired of it quick. That was the main reason they divorced.”

“I’m sorry,” Lily said sympathetically.

“Don’t be. They both remarried and have happy marriages.”

Lily finished her food, setting her plate on the table before curling back on the couch, watching as Shade loaded his plate with food again.

Lily picked up the book about Alaska, flipping through the pages while Shade finished eating then took their plates to the kitchen.

“I was going to do that,” Lily protested.

“Finish looking at your book. I’ll take care of them.”

Lily went back to looking through her book, only half-aware when Shade resumed his seat on the couch, looking through the other books on the couch.

“You have several books here on Texas and Arizona,” he said.

“Um, hm.” Lily turned another page before stopping. Her hands tightened on the book and her stomach turned. She gasped as a blinding pain struck her head again. She dropped the book to the floor as she tried to get to her feet to run to the restroom, feeling as if she was going to lose the food she had just eaten. That was the last thing she remembered.

L
ily woke
to a concerned Shade leaning over her. She was briefly disoriented at finding herself lying flat on the couch, but the realization of what had happened came back quickly.

“Lily, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She rose up, embarrassed, and Shade helped her back into a sitting position on the couch.

“What happened?” Shade asked, his blue eyes searching hers.

Lily put her hand to her head, but the pain was gone. “I don’t know. I was just looking through the book and suddenly got sick. Maybe I had a reaction to the food?”

“I think if it was the food, it would have just made you sick, not faint.”

“I had a terrible headache. I’ve had them on and off my whole life, but they’re getting worse. Do you think it could be from when I hit my head during the robbery?”

“I don’t think so. Your doctor did several tests to make sure everything was clear. Beth insisted he was thorough since there is so much new information coming out about head injuries.”

“I know. It’s just that I’ve never had two in one day before,” Lily said shakily, reaching for the bottled water sitting on the coffee table.

“When did you have the other headache?”

“On the drive home. I took a nap when I got home and felt better.” Lily sat the bottled water back on the table before reaching down to pick up the books on the floor, sliding them back into the bag.

“I see.” Shade handed her one of the books, giving her a speculative look, which she didn’t understand. She slid the book into the bag without looking at it.

“Is your headache gone?”

“Yes.” Lily brushed her hair back from her pale face. She felt silly for passing out in front of Shade. She consistently seemed to have some incident or other in front of him, which made her appear to be a weakling.

“Maybe watching something on television will take your mind off it.” Shade picked up the controller, flipping the channels until he found a comedy.

Lily sat on the couch watching the screen until the show finally managed to draw her into the silly plot. She was still laughing an hour later when the program went off.

Lily stretched, yawning.

“Go to bed, Lily.” The friendly man who had sat and shared his travels with her was gone, and in his place was the same withdrawn man that she knew.

“I am tired. Thanks for dinner, Shade.” Lily expected him to get up and leave.

“Go on to bed, Lily. I’m going to sleep on the couch.”

“There’s no need for you to stay,” Lily protested.

“You just fainted an hour ago. I’m not leaving unless you want me to call Beth and Razer. I’m sure she would come home.”

“I’m not a child you’re babysitting that isn’t feeling well so you need to call the parents to come home,” Lily snapped angrily. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“No, Lily, you’re not. People who are fine don’t almost do a face-plant onto a coffee table. If I wasn’t here, you could have hit your head again, and no one would have known until Beth came home in the morning and found you.”

Lily gritted her teeth. She had known he was waiting to throw that at her.

“Shade, I’m fine now,” Lily repeated her words, hoping this time he would believe her.

“Lily, go to bed, now. I’ll lock up. I’ll even be a gentleman and leave in the morning before Beth and Razer get home.”

Lily knew from his expression that he wasn’t leaving.

“Fine. If you want to sleep on a couch, go ahead.” Lily angrily left, going up the steps to his mocking laughter.

When she reached her bedroom, she slammed the door behind her then immediately felt guilty. She had never been one to throw temper tantrums and wasn’t about to let that stubborn man make her start now.

She lay down on her bed, leaving her bathroom light on as she curled into a ball, pulling the covers over her even though the bedroom was warm; however, she was too drowsy to get up and turn the air conditioner down lower. She had always burrowed beneath the covers to sleep since she had come to live with Beth and her adoptive parents.

As soon as the thought came to mind, Lily pictured an imaginary door blocking all thoughts of her life from before. It was a trick she had learned when she was a little girl, and she still used it to keep all the memories at bay.

She became angry when everyone treated her like a child, yet she used childish tricks to keep the negative tide of emotions away instead of facing them. She didn’t want to remember the memories that were locked away behind that door, though. She fought her fears and anxieties every day, terrified that what was behind that imaginary door would take what little sanity she had left.

T
he next morning she woke
, sitting up, covered in sweat with her pajamas clinging to her. She took a shower, washing her hair and enjoying the cool water on her overheated flesh. When she dried off, she dressed in a cool, pink sundress that had little cap sleeves. Lily preferred wearing dresses to jeans, liking the loose feel of them on her body than the more constrictive clothes women of her age preferred.

Going to her bed, she pulled the sheets off then put fresh sheets on, making it carefully. She picked up the dirty ones, carrying them downstairs as she hoped Shade had kept his word and left.

Beth and Razer were sitting in the living room drinking coffee when she came down the steps.

“Good morning,” Lily said brightly.

“Good morning,” they both replied.

“Can I get you some breakfast?” Beth asked, starting to get up.

“No, thanks. I’ll pour me a cup of coffee in a minute.”

Going into the back laundry room off the kitchen, Lily started her sheets in the wash before pouring herself a cup of coffee.

“Did you have a good time last night?” Lily asked, sitting in the chair, carefully balancing her cup of coffee.

“Yes,” Beth answered. Lily wondered at the blush on Beth’s face but didn’t make a remark.

“What did you do last night?” Beth asked.

“Read for a while, watched some television and then went to bed.” Lily watched Beth’s face to see if Shade had told them about her fainting then decided he hadn’t when her sister’s expression remained the same.

“Any plans for today?” Beth asked.

“No. I thought I would just clean the house.”

“I’ll help,” Beth offered.

Razer got to his feet. “I’m going to mow the lawn while you two clean. I’ll throw some hamburgers on the grill when I get finished.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Lily grinned, getting to her feet.

They managed to get most of the cleaning done before Razer had lunch ready. They spent the remainder of the day taking care of the household chores and relaxing. Lily enjoyed spending time with Beth and her husband, knowing the moment wasn’t far away when this time would be gone forever.

“What’s wrong?” Beth paused in loading the dishwasher.

“Nothing.” Lily smiled. “I was just thinking about how things are changing. I’m graduating in December and your house will be ready. I guess I’m already missing you guys.”

“Lily.”

Lily took her sister’s hand when her eyes filled with tears. “Beth, I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“I don’t want you to leave Treepoint.”

“I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do. It all depends on where I get offered a job. At one time, you didn’t want me to settle for Treepoint.”

Both of them knew the likelihood of getting a job as a social worker in Treepoint was slim. It was a small county and state jobs didn’t open often.

“Promise me that you won’t rush out and make a decision if you get offered a job somewhere else?”

“Of course. I prefer to stay in Treepoint.” Deciding to lighten the atmosphere, Lily said, “But I have to go find my cowboy first and convince him to come back with me. Penni is loving Texas. I’m thinking of going to visit her after Christmas. The band she’s managing, their tour doesn’t leave until February.”

“That sounds like fun,” Beth said, finishing loading the dishwasher.

“I thought so. Maybe I need to change my mind and go after a rocker instead of a cowboy.”

T
he next morning
, they walked to church, enjoying the pretty summer morning. Lily and Beth walked arm-in-arm with Razer following behind. In church, they sat together with Beth in the middle. Many of The Last Riders had begun going to the church. Viper joined Winter in the front with Evie, Jewell and Bliss sitting along the same pew. Lily wondered how many motorcycle club members attended church regularly, not that it really mattered. She was perfectly happy to have this club at her church.

Shade never attended, though. Lily shook away any further reflection on him. She found her thoughts wandering to him more now that she worked with Shade and shared lunch with him every day. Her eyes went to The Last Rider women, wondering at his relationship with them and which one he was involved with. Lily never asked Beth any questions about The Last Riders. Every time she had previously broached the subject, when Beth had first started getting serious with Razer, Beth had avoided discussing the individual members and their relationships. Lily had shrugged it off, not one to invade others’ privacy when she didn’t want anyone questioning hers.

After the service, they stopped and talked to Pastor Dean who was standing in the front of the church. Lily smiled at him brightly. He was an excellent pastor who had taken over after her father’s death a few years before.

“Lily, how are you this beautiful morning?” he greeted her.

“Just fine, Pastor Dean. I enjoyed your sermon.”

“Thank you. I have a favor to ask of you. Several parishioners have made donations which I put in the basement. Since it has a separate entrance, I thought that, if I could get a couple of volunteers to clean out the basement and then organize the donations, I could open it to the public who need our help.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea. I would be glad to help,” Lily offered.

“I would appreciate it. Rachel has volunteered to help next Saturday. Does that work for you?” Pastor Dean asked.

“Yes,” Lily said eagerly.

“I could help,” Beth joined in the conversation.

“I think Rachel and Lily will be enough for now, but thanks for offering. If it becomes too much for them, I’ll give you a call.”

“Oh, okay.”

Pastor Dean gave Beth a warm smile. “Beth, you have plenty to keep you busy with our food outreach program. I think that’s enough of a contribution of your time.”

Beth laughed. “I do stay pretty busy. I’ve promised Razer I wouldn’t take on anything else until we get in our new house.”

“I have every confidence that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, Beth.” Lily watched as Beth gave Pastor Dean a bright smile at his response. Her sister was so pretty standing in the sun with her flaxen hair shining and her light-colored, paisley dress. She looked like an angel. Lily turned away, her eyes darkening with torment.
Not like me with my demons constantly chasing through my mind
.

Attempting to shake herself from the feeling, Lily walked to the sidewalk and waited for Beth and Razer. Her eyes drifted across the street to the diner, seeing the motorcycles outside the restaurant.

“Ready?” Beth asked, coming to stand by her side.

“I’m not going to join you today. I thought I would go on home. I’m not very hungry.” She wasn’t in the mood to go to lunch and watch everyone monitoring their words around her.

“That’s fine. I’ll go with you and fix us something later,” Beth said.

“Don’t be silly. Go have lunch. I can manage an hour on my own, Beth.”

Beth hesitated. “All right. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Lily smiled, brushing a kiss on her sister’s concerned face. “You worry too much.”

Lily waved at the others as she left, walking down the sidewalk back to their home. It really was a lovely morning and Lily enjoyed the walk on the tree-lined road. They always walked to church and then would have lunch at the diner. The Last Rider members that didn’t make it to church would meet them at the diner afterward for lunch.

She had seen Shade’s bike outside and knew he would be waiting inside with Train and Rider. Those three needed to go to church more than anyone else. From the way her friends acted, they kept the women population busy.

Several of her girlfriends from high school, who still lived in Treepoint, were constantly talking about how good looking the men were. They had even tried to use Lily to gain an introduction to them. When they saw that Lily wasn’t going to perform the introductions, though, they had devised other means. A couple had even succeeded, unable to hide their glee at showing off in front of the others, yet when the others would ask what they were like, a secretive look would appear, and the girls would change the subject.

Lily wasn’t a fool. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the club had a policy about keeping quiet about what took place at the clubhouse. Again, Lily had to smother her hurt feelings. She felt as if each day she and Beth were drawing further apart.

Pushing away yet another bothersome thought, she turned the corner onto her street. It never failed to give her a sense of homecoming when she saw her house.

As she walked, Lily began to feel as if someone was watching her, though. She looked around, not seeing anyone, yet she unconsciously began to walk faster, not sure why. She felt chills crawl down her back and goose bumps rise on her arms.

Thankfully, she came to her house, rushing up the two steps to the door, and quickly slid the key into the keyhole. Once inside, she locked the door behind her, taking a step back to stare at the closed door.

It took several minutes for the quiet sound of the house to steady her nerves, feeling silly that she had overreacted.

Sitting her purse on the table by the door, she resolved to herself that maybe letting Shade teach her a few moves on defending herself might not be a bad idea after all.