Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) 📕

pavement. I think Wolf scooped it up for you, but you’ll need to get a new one. Upside, I hear the latest iPhone is awesome. Got a fantastic camera in it.”

“Would you shut up about how awesome the new iPhone is? I had Sara’s number in my old phone.”

“Heard you were letting her go.”

“I changed my mind. That’s where I was headed—to the airport to stop her.”

“So she’s the one?”

“Yeah, she’s it for me, Cole. Never felt like this about any other woman. She was it for me in high school. I asked her to stay then, but she left anyway. I know now that was a selfish thing for me to do. It was best for her to leave back then. It was the right move for her future. I had to let her go.”

“And now? Did you tell her how you feel before she left?”

“Not exactly.”

“Why not?”

“I was fucking scared—scared I’d lay my heart out, and she’d leave again anyway.”

“So, you didn’t say shit, and surprise, she got on the plane.”

“Don’t fucking twist the knife, VP.”

He rocks back on his heels, his arms folded. “Maybe you deserve it, bein’ a chickenshit and all.”

I huff out a breath and drop my head to stare at the ceiling. “Maybe so.”

“So, now are you gonna man up, and tell her how you feel?”

“If she’ll listen.”

“What are you gonna say?”

“I don’t know. Tell her I love her. Tell her I’m an idiot for not begging her to stay. Ask her to come back.”

“Think she’ll listen?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s find out.”

20

Green

I lift my head, frowning. “What?” Cole is moving toward the door. “Where are you goin’?”

He opens it. “You hear all that?”

I don’t hear a reply but he jerks his head, motioning someone inside, and I wonder if my brothers are all out in the hall, laughing their asses off at me. Someone ducks under his arm, and Sara steps into the room. My heart skips a beat. I know it does, because the monitor beeps, its little line jumping and then settling back into rhythm.

My mouth falls open as I stare at her, hardly believing what I’m seeing. Her eyes are glazed with unshed tears, but she’s smiling.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

Cole steps out the door, giving us some privacy.

Sara moves toward the bed and smiles down at me.

“You didn’t get on the plane?” I ask like an idiot because she’s standing right in front of me.

She shakes her head. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because, you big dope, I belong here with you.” Her eyes move over my injuries. “You could have been killed.”

“I’m okay. I’ve wrecked before.”

“I’ve been sick with worry.”

“About me?”

“Yes, about you, silly. I love you, Irish, but if you ever drink and ride again, we’re done.”

“Done? We haven’t even gotten started.” Right now I’d agree to any terms she throws down. Hell, I’d give up drinking altogether.

“I don’t ever want to see you like this again, all broken, and . . .”

Her voice trails off with a sob.

“Baby girl, don’t cry. I’m okay.”

“Your poor leg. You almost bled to death in the street.”

I reach up with my good hand and cup her face, tubes dangling. “I promise you, I’ll be okay. I’m just happy you’re here. Tell me you’re staying for good. I don’t want to think about a future without you in it.”

“I’m staying.”

“What about your job?”

“I told Ethan he could keep the designs I’ve already finished, and I told him I had a family emergency and wouldn’t be back. My team is capable of finishing the picture, if not, I really don’t care.”

“But, babe, you love designing.”

“There’s an opening at the San Francisco Opera House for a resident designer. They offered it to me last week. I told them I’d give them an answer this week. So, if you want me to stay, I’ll call and take it.”

“I want you, girl. I love you, Sara. You’re my heart and soul. My everything.”

I pull her down until her mouth meets mine. Her lips are soft, but she pulls back.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

I guide her back again. “Don’t make me use my bad arm.”

She grins and dips her mouth to mine, then stares into my eyes. “I love you, Irish. I always have.”

“Not lettin’ you go again, so you better mean forever this time.”

“Forever, baby, you and me.”

I grin. “If I’d have known all it took was wrecking my bike to get you to stay, I’d have done it so much sooner.”

She slugs my good arm. “Don’t even think about ever wrecking again, mister, or this deal is off.”

“That what we have, Sara—is this a deal?”

“We always had a deal. We were destined to be together.”

I chuckle. “Just took us a helluva long time to get here, woman.”

“It may have been the roundabout way, but maybe we needed to grow into the people we are, to be ready to have this life together.”

“I’m gonna make it a good life for us, baby. I promise. Gonna do everything in my power to make you happy.”

She taps my nose. “Gonna hold you to that promise.”

“Good thing I’ve got a record of keepin’ my promises to you.”

“That you do, sweetheart.”

Epilogue

Green

Sunrise, One year later

We stand at an overlook on the coast near the arches. I’m holding Sara’s hands and she’s facing me. She’s dressed in a beautiful flowing gown that flutters in the breeze, little flowers woven into her hair.

Our eyes are locked on each other, and I can’t help but grin as I look at her. It seems like it’s taken forever for us to get here. But through months of rehabilitation when I cursed, and bitched, and swore it wasn’t worth the pain, she stood by me.

I’m standing on my own two feet and finally walking with barely a limp.

I squeeze her hand and she winks at me.

The minister finally gets to the good part.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You, sir, may kiss your bride.”

I pull her to me and take her face