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There was a deep inhalation, then Haggard said, “I knew you were faure out why”

Will shrugged “I was deployed when my sister and brother-in-law died I missed their funeral, and the first three et home From that point forward, I had to move to a different city to split the custody of my nieces with my other sister and parents My sister, Nivea,hell So I didn’t really haveelse for a while Then ein touch with y’all wasn’t really the highest thing on my priority list”

“No,” Shine agreed “I expect not We didn’t know them all that well Made us feel like shit because all we knew of him hat our dad let us know We were in and out of the military ourselves Members of the Crow Gypsies, but not here When we came back, your brother-in-laas just a memory”

Trinket sighed “Just don’t fuck her over,where she was Then that oes into WITSEC, and I can’t find his stupid ass Don’t be the reason I take ression out, mmkay?”

I was shakingwith the other four of them, took off as if they hadn’t just ruined my date

When they were all finally gone, leaving me alone with Will, my shoulders slumped

“I aainst my face

Will started to laugh “It’s okay, darlin’ I honestly would’ve expected nothing less fro that happened to you over your lifetime It’s quite understandable that they’re cautious”

I split ers on my left hand so I could see him with one eye

“Norree with you, but…” I hesitated “That was just the first of many”

His lips twitched, and then he gestured to the bike with his chin

I dropped my hands from my face and turned more fully toward him until ere less than a foot apart, and I had to drop my head back to look him in the eyes

“First ofas you’re there at the end of the day” He tapped the tip of er “You ready to ride?”

I nodded excitedly “Actually, I’m more than ready to ride”

When we reached his bike, he scooped up a pink and matte black helmet and handed it to me

My broent up, and he had the decency to flush

“Had a girlfriend last year that liked to ride,” he answered the unasked question “It’s not like I’ to throay a three-hundred-and-fifty-dollar helht”