She started for her seat, stopping in front of her parents and embracing them before she did in fact find her seat beside Nick. She glanced towards the back of the church trying to seek out Luke, but she couldn’t spot him through the sea of people. She turned back around as Father Gallo wrapped up the service with a final prayer. Nick leaned into her. She knew this because not only did she feel him, but his scent tore through her senses.
“You did good kid,” he said in a rough whisper. She dared herself to meet his gaze and when she did, he closed his hand around her knee cap. His touch was soft, and one of comfort. It was innocent enough if they were dating, if they were anything to one another. But they weren’t he had no business touching her like that, as if she belonged to him, as if he cared. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to remove his hand. Even if it was for a moment, and just a moment, she wanted to feel as if she belonged to him and as if he cared about her.
Father Gallo walked over to Deb and Joe and handed them a crucifix that they would keep to remember their son by. The chords of music sounded as the choir began to sing Amazing Grace. Everyone stood. Sam felt Nick brush against her as he made his way towards the other pallbearers. Luke rushed back down the aisle, taking his place across from Nick. Sam watched the silent exchange between them and as if everything was fine, the two of them carried the casket out of the church.
Everyone found their way to their cars and as the procession pulled away from the church, making its way to Jake’s final resting place, the sound of engines roaring blared. Alongside the cars that made their way to the cemetery, were at least three dozen motorcycles. They had started their own procession. It was something Jake would’ve loved to be a part of, if one of his fellow riders had passed, if he was looking down, he would’ve been honored.
The procession of family and friends made their way to the cemetery where Jake would be laid to rest. At Cara’s request, they had found a plot across from her mother, so the two most important people of her life would spend eternity not too far from one another. Both of them would rest just beneath the willow tree perched on the top of the hill. After Father Gallo concluded his prayers, everyone laid a long stem rose over Jake’s casket. The last of the tears were shed, with promises to return when it all settled in.
Now they all gathered at Rudy’s Bar and Grille for food and drinks. Joe had announced at the cemetery that he and Deb would love for all those who came to pay their respects to join them at Jake’s favorite hangout. The bar was packed and closed to the public. Rudy and his staff hustled to fill the orders as they came in. Nick was standing at the bar beside Luke, who was nursing a scotch. Nick eyed his friend, noticing the look of defeat in his eyes.
“You okay, man?” Nick asked as he loosened the knot of his tie. He pushed his empty tumbler glass towards the edge of the bar and signaled the bartender for a refill.
“I’m fine.” Luke said, snapping out of his trance. He turned around and looked back towards Nick. “I noticed your mother was at the cemetery.”
Nick lifted his gaze to Luke’s. “Yeah, I noticed her too.” The bartender placed his refilled glass in front of him, thankful for the distraction he grabbed the glass and gulped the whiskey. It didn’t matter that it burned like a bitch, thinking of his mother was worse.
“It was nice of her.” Luke added innocently, earning him a dirty look from his pal. “What? She didn’t have to show up to pay her respects. It was nice of her that she did.”
“There was no doubt some hidden agenda behind it, don’t kid yourself.” Nick said as he contemplated what that agenda could be. His mother didn’t do anything out of the kindness of her heart, she didn’t have a heart. “I bet she just showed up to stick her nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“She hasn’t tried to contact you since you’ve been back?” Luke asked as he turned around and leaned his back against the bar while he skimmed the room.
“No, but my father’s been hounding me lately. They have to be working together to fuck with my life a little more.” Nick said bitterly as he downed the rest of his drink. He shrugged his shoulders, shrugging both the effects of the alcohol and the thought of his parents, off. His eyes settled at the table where Sam sat with Phillip and Mallory, and sure enough he caught her staring at him
He watched her sip her drink slowly, pretending to listen to whatever Phillip was saying to her, but Nick recognized that look in her eyes. He knew when Sam was yearning for something, something Nick would be more than happy to supply her with. He reached behind him and cupped the back of his neck. He had no fucking idea what he was doing with her, but he knew he couldn’t stop whatever it was. Her tongue snaked out and licked the salt around the rim of her glass and instantly his dick reacted. He shoved his hands into his pockets trying to tent his slacks a bit so he didn’t look like a complete schmuck standing beside Luke with a raging hard on.