"Whoa, look at that!" Mac leans forward on the couch and rests his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands under his chin. He's enthralled, absolutely unable to tear his eyes away from the flat screen in my apartment.

"He's got skills." Bast nods in appreciation. "And he's not ugly. If I were a chick, I might not be able to resist him. I bet he's hung, too. What do they say about us, tall guys?"

"That we've got some mighty fine packages," says Drew. "Come to think of it, that's right. Mother nature is wise. She wouldn't punish a handsome, tall specimen of a man with a tiny, unremarkable dick."

Mac's shoulders shake from the failed attempt at keeping his laughter at bay.

"If he controls that dick the way he controls that bike." Drew fans himself. "Maybe it's not too late to change teams, huh, guys?"

"Fuckin' dickheads," I grit through my teeth. 

The guys start to laugh so hard the sound drowns out the MotoGP commentator's voice and the rumble of the race bikes' engines. 

"Cheer up," says Bast. "Between Williams and you, she'll surely choose you. Who would go for a handsome, loaded, successful, and young sports star, right? Nobody. Absolutely nobody."

I grab a handful of popcorn from the bowl by my side and throw the kernels at the fucker. I already regret having those assholes here. Whoever said anything about male solidarity doesn't know shit. It's as rare as fuckin' unicorns. I chew on my bottom lip, wishing I still smoked.

"Jokes aside, the guy is a pure talent," Mac says. "Leah is so damn lucky. Imagine how cool it is to be there and see both races in person."

"Very cool," Drew agrees with my best friend. "Untwist your panties, Brian. It's an amazing experience for the girl."

Jealousy is an ugly bitch. Ever since I snooped and saw Kitten's Instagram, the green-eyed monster has been eating me alive.

I didn't like the way that fucker leaned his head against Kitten's. The fact that she was wearing a pair of tiny shorts and a V-neck tee snug around her tits didn't quell my nerves. Let's not forget one thing — Kitten grew up a bit, and by growing up a bit, I mean that her cute little ass is perkier, and so are Kitten's girls. 

Besides, she lifts. Kitten has a crapton of gym selfies on her Instagram and a couple of pictures on her bike, showcasing her cute little butt in tight leather pants. She deserves to be bent over that bike and have those pants ripped off her ass with my teeth. 

The guys go quiet, watching the final lap of the race Asher Williams will win. I know he won because the race has already finished. We're watching the rerun. Discreetly, I pull up my Instagram and go to Kitten's profile. 

My heart drums a frenzied rhythm in my ribcage because Kitten uploaded new pictures. 

"Spanish sunsets are the best." The caption reads. In the picture, Leah is smiling, holding a glass of wine. A thin-strapped long red dress is wrapped around her beautiful body, and the fucker of the racer boy has his greedy fingers splayed on Kitten's waist. Judging by the scenery, the two of them must be at some fancy-ass vineyard. Nobody else is around. Did that piece of racer dick ask Kitten out on a date?

She looks tanned and relaxed. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, and her smile is genuine and happy. In the next picture, Kitten is laughing with her head thrown back. Knowing that another fucker is there, witnessing my girl's happiness and maybe being the cause of it makes my blood boil.

Unnoticed by the guys, I rise from the couch and go to the bathroom. I lock the door and lean against it. My shaky fingers find Leah's name in my contacts. Tone after tone, I wait, but she doesn't pick up.

It's close to lunchtime here, but it's already evening in Spain. My jealous ass goes as far as checking out the headlines of Spanish sports papers, looking for some information on the whereabouts of Asher the dick.

No. Not the dick. I can't think about his dick anywhere near Kitten. What if he takes her to the beach or somewhere else beautiful? What if they sleep together in a fancy hotel?

We didn't spend that much time dating, and there weren't many dates. The hot air balloon was the best thing I'd done for her, and she deserved so much more. She deserved rose petals and champagne and me making love to her slowly and gently, telling her how much I loved her. I didn't tell Leah that. I saved the three words for a shitty note and didn't snap out of it until almost two months later. I was late with my confessions and apologies. It was already too late.

I splash some cold water on my face and stare at myself in the mirror before drying my hands with a towel and opening the door.  I almost hit Mac with it. He's loitering in the hallway, waiting for me.

"Easy there." He chuckles. "I was worried about you."

"I'm okay."

Without thinking, I pocket my phone, and Mac's eyebrows rise. "Seriously?"

"I know," I whisper. "I know I'm pathetic. No need to remind me."

Mac nods toward my room. I follow him there and sit on my bed. Mac closes the door behind him and straddles my chair as he flops down on it.

"She deserves to live a little," Mackenzie says. "The poor thing spent years moving from one shitty town to another, and now she gets to see the world and spend time with her dad, who's a good guy, by the way. We all went out to dinner together a couple of times."

"Fuck, I know. I'm not mad that she's traveling. I'm happy for her. I'm just jealous, Mac. I'm so damn jealous I understand Jim when he punched that asshole who looked at his girl the wrong way."

"And ended up on the front pages of the papers," Mac says. "When's he leaving on tour?"

"In a week. Pops is a bit sad Jim won't be there for his birthday, but we'll spend some time together before Jim travels. You and Annie are going with me too, right?"

"Sure. I haven't been to our hometown in ages."

"Look at us, huh? Who would have thought?"

Mac grins, folding his arms behind his head. "I'm not complaining. Annie is studying what she loves. I only have to figure out what to do. Lenny's in charge of the gym, and I still have my share in it, but I need to get a job here."

"Did those fuckers pay for damages, at least?"

Nodding, Mac regards me with a frown. "I was tempted not to accept the money, but it was the judge's verdict. I have it on my account intact. It's enough to buy an apartment here and set up a business. I wanted to pay your brother back because he took care of my hospital and rehab bills, but damn, is he stubborn."

"That's Jim for you."

"Don't I know it." Mac chuckles. "You, the O'Briens, could win the Most Stubborn Fucker Award."

I smile, relaxing a bit. The worry about Leah moving on and not seeing her future with me in it is still settled deep in my gut, but Mac is right. She deserves to have beautiful experiences and see the world. If she still wants me after her trip, I will make sure to give her everything I didn't in the past. If only she listened to me for real.

"Let's go before the guys think we left the apartment," Mac says, standing up.

I jump off the bed and exit my room after him.

***

The following day, Mac, Annie, and I drive to our hometown in Mac's car. Mac didn't make any comments about why I don't have a bike, and I didn't have the guts to tell him I still can't bring myself to ride one. Pops has my Fat Boy. It's fixed and looks new, but all I did was stare at it before locking the garage door.

"Bill did a great job." Annie beams, looking at the downtown area through the car window.

"That's right," says Mac. "We can finally show this place to visitors without feeling ashamed."

"Pops says Bill is planning several improvements apart from what he's already done."

Mac's car rolls into our neighborhood, and he slows down next to my house. 

"Wanna say hi to Pops and Mom? Jim, too," I say, noticing my bro's car in the driveway.

Mac winks at me. "Later. We'll be here till August; there's plenty of time. See you later?"

"See you. Thanks for the ride," I say to my friends as I grab my duffle bag and leave the vehicle.

I watch Mac's car drive away and stroll toward my parents' house. I trudge up the porch steps and let myself in. The front door is unlocked. Jim must have just arrived.

Without a second thought, I go upstairs and open the door to my brother's bedroom. 

He's there, and of course, I intruded myself into my bro's make-out sesh with his girl. Those two are kissing as if the world is gonna end, and Jim's hands are definitely under Ava's skirt.

"Sorry," I blurt out.

Ava lets out a squeak, and Jim presses her to his body and glares at me. "For fuck's sake, no privacy in this house. Learn to knock, little fucker."

"Sorry!" I repeat and raise my hands. "I thought you were unpacking or something."

Jim rolls his eyes at me and kisses Ava's cheek. "Give me a moment, and then I'm all yours again, okay?"

Ava nods, throwing a glance my way. "Go talk, you two. I'm going to put away our clothes."

My brother gets up from the bed, and of course, the fucker kisses his girl again before exiting the bedroom.

The door clicks shut behind us. 
"Sorry for ruining your dreams of a quick welcome home fuck," I tell Jim. 

The fucker's palm collides with the back of my head. "Dude!" I rub my scalp, wincing.

"Mom and Dad went grocery shopping. I wasn't expecting you till later," Jim says. "And save your smartass remarks. I'm leaving in a week. Ava deserves to have all of me while I'm here."

"I really didn't expect you to… you know."

Jim chuckles as we go to the kitchen. He gets a bottle of water from the fridge and pours himself a glass. "Want some?"

"I'm good. Have you been here long?"

Jim gulps down the water and shakes his head. "A couple of hours. We had late breakfast with Mom and Dad. You okay?"

"Yeah," I say, sitting on a chair.

Jim scratches his head. "Cool. You'll be here for Dad's birthday, won't you?"

"Sure. It's gonna be one hell of a party, right?"

"He invited his MC buddies. I think your girl's father will be here, too. I don't know about her, but some other dudes will bring their families."

My heart thumps in my chest. "Eric will be here?"

"That's what Dad said," Jim tells me.

I open my mouth but keep quiet when I hear Pop's bike outside.

"One more thing," Jim says. "Don't go anywhere near the lake tonight if you wanna live."

I frown. "Why?"

"Jesus." Jim groans. "I'm taking my girl there. One interruption was enough."

I chuckle. "Do you need condoms? I must have some in my room."

"No, thank you, little fucker." Jim wiggles his brows. "I'm serious. I want to give Ava a night she won't forget, so don't spoil it."

"Fuck, I didn't walk in on your love fest on purpose. I sometimes forget your ass isn't single anymore."

"Look who's here!" Mom grins from ear to ear and rushes to give me a tight hug.

"Hey." I kiss her cheek and then hug Pops, who's just walked into the kitchen carrying a bag full of groceries. "All good?"

"Perfect now that you both are here," Mom says. "And where is Ava?"

"Unpacking," says Jim. "I'm gonna get her."

My big bro goes upstairs. I help Pops put away the food. What my brother said hasn't left my mind, and I decide to ask Dad.

"Jim said Eric would be here for your party," I begin.

Pops nods. "That's right."

"And Leah?"

"You two haven't talked yet?" Mom asks me.

"She's on vacation with her pops; that's why I wanted to know."

"Call her and find out." Pops shrugs as he puts on an apron. It's clear who's gonna cook today.

I shift my weight from one foot to the other. Leah didn't pick up when I called yesterday. She might not want to talk to me.

"I'm with Axel," Mom says. 

Sighing, I pull my phone out of my pocket and go to the porch. Sitting on a recliner, I call Leah.

Disappointment rears its ugly head when she doesn't answer after three tones. I am about to hang up, but a quiet hi makes me sit straighter.

"Hey," I say. "It's me, Brian."

Kitten chuckles. "I know. I know you called yesterday, too. I was a bit busy and didn't have my phone on me."

"Is everything okay?"

"Awesome. Did anything happen?"

"No. It's just that...I wanted to know if you will be here for my dad's birthday. He invited your pops, and—"

"I'll be there," Kitten says. "Thanks for calling. I have to go now; Dad is waiting."

"Yeah, sure," I say. "Have fun."

"You too, Brian."

Kitten ends the call. I stare at the phone in my hand. 

She will be here soon, and although I have no clue about where we stand, I allow myself to be hopeful.