Epilogue
June
“Do you have everything? Your license, debit card? Cell phone charger? Extra film for your camera?”
“Yes, yes, and yes. I have a digital camera, Mom.”
“So, this is it then.” Mom gives me a sympathetic smile, unshed tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
“I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Yeah, but not to live with me and your sister. My baby is all grown up. Graduated. Moving in with her boyfriend. Going on a cross country trip on a motorcycle.”
“I promise to check in all the time.”
No longer able to hold back her tears she comes in for a big hug. “Then why does it seem as if I’m losing you?” Her warm tears rolls down my neck as she squeezes me tighter. I inhale the scent of her perfume. She always smells like vanilla and cinnamon. Says it works great with the little kids at the daycare because she smells like cookies.
“You’re not. I gotta go though. Nav is waiting for me.” I glance over my shoulder at my motorcycle man leaned against his Harley. All sexy and bad ass in his Royal Bastards MC cut. He’s been stuffing all my crap into his saddlebags. We have big plans of touring some of the national parks out west, possibly visiting some of the other chapters of Royal Bastards MC along the way. I think our first stop is Royal Road in Nashville, Tn. I can’t wait to sleep in our tent under the stars. Eat new foods. Meet new people. Visit places I’ve been dreaming of, getting to snap pictures of adventure along the way. And simply being with Nav.
“Okay.” She lets out a long sigh then releases me. “You better take care of my girl, Austin Navarro.”
He lifts his chin.
I strut toward him, eating up the smile that washes over his face as he takes me in.
“You ready to ride?”
“I was born ready.”
He kisses the tip of my nose and slaps my ass.
I shake my head knowing my mother just witnessed the move he made on me.
“Don’t forget sunscreen,” she calls out at us and Nav laughs as he starts his bike. I swing a leg over behind him after I get my helmet on. Wrapping my arms around him, I look back once more at my mom. Tears sliding down her cheeks she blows me a kiss.
We ride out of Charleston and onto the start of what I am sure will be the best summer of my life.