I hand him a plate of the homemade pasta noodles and he mixes them into the pot of sauce. When he hands me my bowl, I have to ask him, “Do you miss it? Living in the clubhouse, I mean.”
He sighs as he walks to the large black table in the dining room. He sits down and takes a bite as I stand waiting for his response. He wipes his mouth with his hand and looks down back at the bowl in front of him. “Sometimes I miss being in the middle of it all. Giving up the vice president position was hell on Earth.”
I sit down slowly, looking at him with empathy. I still can’t believe he made that decision on his own. He knew staying on as vice president meant he would no longer be in the upper echelon, but he also knew he would not have to worry about Maddie or retaliations. He could still be a Mustang for life, but as an elder, he yielded more power than he thought. He could teach the young guns what it meant to ride for life without constantly looking over his shoulders.
I sit next to him and place my hand upon his. I want him to know I am here, that I am happy with the changes I’ve made, too. After everything went down, Jager made me an honorary Mustang for saving Maddie’s life and leading the club to defeat the Coyotes once and for all, completely driving them and their business out of town. I get the option of attending meetings, riding on their runs, and even being present at the boys’ parties. My official colors jacket sits on the couch in the living room, just out of sight for now.
Cal looks into my eyes as she says firmly, “But no, I don’t miss it. When I’m gone from here, I miss you. When I haven’t spoken to Maddie in awhile, I miss her. It’s a different kind of life, that’s for sure. But I don’t want to go back to it. I want to have this pasta here with you and have Maddie home with us.”
“Tonight,” I say excitedly, “tonight.” Both of us have been counting down for weeks until we could have Maddie safely back from her temporary hideout. Every night we would video chat with her, me checking in on her homework progress and Cal giving her updates from the club. We even sprang her out a few days ago to visit Erin in the hospital. Maddie held her hand as she finished her physical therapy session.
We both eat quickly, slurping down our pasta. When our plates are cleared, Cal looks up at the clock on the wall and turns to ask me, “Are you ready for this? It’s going to be a huge change having Maddie here with us.”
“But she will be home, and that’s all that matters to me, Cal. I can get through change. Hell, I took it okay when Erin told me she was moving out to go live with her parents while she recovered. And I thought I could never lose her as a roommate without going crazy.”
“Well, now you have more than just a roommate.” He smiles proudly.
Cal had taken over my space, putting his touches on just about everything. And while I was still getting used to the muddy boots, the motorcycle in the garage, or the men coming in and out to fix the plumbing or redo a few fallen shingles, I was more than thrilled to have him here. Every night I slept more soundly knowing that he was watching over me, and not just from afar.
Cal’s nose wrinkles up as he looks at me with wide eyes, “Should we go now? I mean, it’s only six, but we could get her early…”
I nod enthusiastically, not letting him finish his thought, “Yes! Let’s go get her now! I am so excited.” I stand and grab my jacket off of the couch along with my satchel. My hands shake as they grasp onto my car keys waiting for Cal to follow me.
Cal stands in the dining room, his hands wrapping around his chest. “Do you want to clean up before we go?”
I smile thinking about the girl I was when he met me. The idea of dirty dishes being left out for even an extra minute would have pained me. The leather jacket on the couch without a hanger or a closet would have haunted me. The man standing there laughing at me would have scared me.
But I’m not the same Michelle anymore. I can’t be. I’m the girl who found love in the wrong place, with the wrong man from the wrong place and the wrong family. I am the girl who learned how strong she could be when she got the courage to tackle her fears. And I learned how much my heart could open to someone like Cal or Maddie.
I could never go back to being the teacher with the straight line of desks before her. And if that meant letting in a little chaos rule our lives, then so be it. I was a Devil’s Mustang now. And I rode strong and fast, and I defended the ones I love. No one could take that away from me.
I walk towards Cal slowly, and I grab his hand, pulling him down towards me. I kiss his sweet lips that still taste like the pasta sauce we just shared for dinner. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off the ground. I kiss his neck as my arms find his strong chest, and I whisper softly into his ear, “Let’s ride.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Evelyn Glass is a native of northern California who currently lives in New England with her wonderful husband and their two rambunctious Corgis.