Chasing Stacy Read online

  Cameron Hart

  Chasing Stacy

  Copyright © 2020 by Cameron Hart

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  First edition

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  Contents

  1. River

  2. Stacy

  3. River

  4. Stacy

  5. River

  6. Stacy

  7. River

  8. Stacy

  9. River

  10. Stacy

  11. River

  12. Epilogue

  1

  River

  “River… Earth to River… What’s up with you, man?”

  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that Stone is trying to get my attention. However, all of it is directed at the stunning woman currently serving burgers to a table of college-age kids.

  She’s young, that much is obvious. Way too young for my thirty years. But I can’t seem to stop my eyes from wandering her direction. Everything about this woman captivates me. Her delicate curves, the wisps of brown hair that frame her face, those high cheekbones and slightly upturned nose. She’s adorable. I don’t think I’ve ever used that word in my entire life, but there it is. She’s fucking adorable.

  It’s more than her looks that have me laser-focused on her. It’s how she goes behind the counter and rubs her neck and shoulders as if they ache, and then rubs her temples as if to ward off a headache. She looks like she has the weight of the world on those tiny shoulders. Her smile never quite reaches her soulful brown eyes unless she’s visiting the little kid in the corner booth. He’s too old to be her son. I have him pegged for eight or nine. But there’s some clear love and connection between them.

  I want to take her away from here, give her a massage, kiss away her headache, and tuck her in bed with me so I can make the world disappear while I hold her in my arms.

  “RIVER!” Stone barks at me, causing me to jerk my head in his direction.

  “Fuck, what?” I snap.

  “What’s your deal? Checking out the new waitress? She’s something, huh?”

  A growl escapes my throat, shocking even me. I don’t understand the possessiveness coursing through my veins, but it’s there all the same. I’m not one to go through women like a lot of guys at Chaos MC. I’m more of a relationship kind of guy. I like the stability of having someone there, someone I can share more than just physical intimacy with.

  That being said, my last few relationships ended terribly. The last one really did a number on me. We had been together for almost two years. I thought I loved the woman. Turns out she had been cheating on me for the last six months of our relationship. That was three years ago. I haven’t been with anyone since, physically or otherwise. Maybe that’s where this insane, instant attraction is coming from?

  “Calm down, River. I was just messing around. Didn’t mean anything by it,” Stone says.

  I grunt in response. The guys leave me alone after that, letting me observe the pretty little waitress with the world on her shoulders. She flits around the diner, filling empty glasses, clearing out tables, taking orders, and delivering food. Finally, she heads over to our table.

  She’s even more stunning up close. I see a faint smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and her lips are full, almost pouty. Her hair isn’t brown like I originally thought. It has red and copper tones. What’s that called? Auburn? Whatever it is, it’s my new favorite color.

  She hasn’t looked up yet. I notice her nametag pinned on the side of her shirt. Stacy. She’s flipping through her notepad, trying to find a blank page. Then, Stacy pats her apron, probably trying to find the pen that is perched on top of her ear. She finally seems to remember its placement and grabs it, her cheeks turning a lovely pink as if she’s embarrassed.

  Adorable. There’s that word again. The only woman who has ever given me such thoughts.

  When she finally looks up, I see her stiffen. A flash of panic sparks in her eyes as she surveys the four of us. Yeah, we’re big, burly bikers, but we’d never hurt a woman. It goes against everything we stand for at Chaos. Blood boils in my veins at the thought of anyone hurting her. Just as quickly as the panic appeared, it’s gone. Stacy squares her shoulders and raises her chin as if in challenge.

  “What can I get you, boys? You look like a hungry bunch!” Her voice is melodic but firm. I wouldn’t have expected it from such a petite thing, but there’s something about it that just fits. She’s not a fragile creature. My little waitress has some fire in her.

  “Chicken fried steak for me,” Max answers. “And a Coke.”

  She scribbles that down and moves on to Red, then Stone. Finally, it’s my turn. Her pretty brown eyes lock with mine. I swear the air around us grows thicker and the world fades away. Everything is blurry but her, us, this moment.

  But then she clears her throat, breaking the spell. God, what is wrong with me?

  “And for you, mister…?”

  “River,” I choke out, still trying to regain my composure.

  “Alright, then. What’ll it be, Mr. River?”

  I grin at that. “Just River.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks turn pink again. It’s my second favorite color, topped only by her auburn hair.

  “I’ll take a burger and fries. Coke as well.”

  “Great choice,” she gives me a small smile, one that actually reaches her eyes. God, those eyes. They actually sparkle when she allows herself to smile.

  We just stare at each other for who knows how long. Finally, someone coughs, I think it’s Max. I want to punch him in his goddamn throat for interrupting us.

  “Okay. Yeah. Um, sorry. I’ll get that order in.” With that, she spins on her heel and dashes towards the kitchen.

  I glare at Max, who throws his hands up in surrender.

  “I’m hungry!” He says in defense. “I’m not going to let your crush on our waitress keep me from my chicken fried steak.” This earns him a few laughs from the other guys. I, however, prefer that he starve.

  I continue my now creeper-status observation of Stacy. After putting our order in, she clears off an empty table. She looks over her shoulder, darting her eyes around the room to see if anyone is watching. I avert my eyes momentarily and then go right back to watching her.

  She puts two uneaten chicken tenders in a napkin, along with a handful of fries. Then, she makes her way to the table where the little boy is and discretely hands them over. My chest gets painfully tight seeing her pick scraps up just to feed the kid. It makes me wonder the last time she ate. I want to give her my meal. I want to give her every meal we ordered at this table.

  The kid doesn’t seem to mind the origins of his meal, but Stacy gets a sad smile on her face as she watches him devour the leftovers. Someone calls for her from the kitchen, and she practically jumps out of her skin. The little kid flinches as well.

  I don’t like it. Whatever brought these two here to our tiny town of Sausalito, California, isn’t good. Stacy rubs the kid’s back reassuringly. She should have someone there to rub her back reassuringly. I want that person to be me.

  She gives the kid a quick kiss on the top of his head and then disappears into the
kitchen, effectively cutting me off from my new favorite drug.

  “So, what’s the old man say, River?” Max asks me, trying to draw me back into the conversation.

  “About what?”

  “About retiring, of course. Is he ready to hand the reins over to the next in line for the Chaos throne?”

  I roll my eyes. “You know it’s not based on bloodline,” I tell him for the hundredth time since my dad has told people he’s in his last year as prez of the club.

  “Psh. It doesn’t hurt though,” Max counters.

  “Don’t mind him,” Red says. “I mean, I still think you’re going to be prez, but you’ve earned it all on your own. You’ve made us some big-ticket deals, you’ve proven yourself capable in a crisis, and you’ve even taken a bullet to the chest.“

  “Yeah, well, all in the line of duty, right? It’s nothing you guys wouldn’t do.”

  “Sure, but we haven’t. You have.”

  I shrug. Red gets the hint and moves on to lighter topics. Soon, our food arrives, though it’s delivered by a different waitress. This one is a bottle blonde with makeup caked on her face and boobs spilling out of her uniform, which seems to be missing the top two buttons.

  “Everything look good, guys?” She asks in a sticky-sweet voice. Her innuendo isn’t lost on anyone.

  She gets a few head nods, and one “yes” from Max.

  “And you, big boy? Did you get everything you wanted?” She juts her hip out and arches her back, practically thrusting her chest in my face. I feel sick to my stomach, and for some odd reason I feel like I’m cheating on Stacy, even though we’re not together in any way. But I want to be. And soon.

  “Food looks good,” I grunt out, making a point to turn away from her. She huffs out a frustrated breath and walks away. I look up and see Stacy eying the table. When our eyes lock, she immediately drops her gaze and blushes, busying herself with wrapping silverware.

  * * *

  The guys and I left thirty minutes later. I didn’t see Stacy again, which disappointed me beyond reason. We take a ride out to one of our warehouses and check on inventory, and then make our way back to town for a drink at the clubhouse.

  It’s dark by the time we arrive in town. I had to stop and get gas for my bike, so I told the guys I’d meet up with them at the clubhouse.

  I’m a few blocks away when I see a flash of that auburn hair, accompanied by a mop of light blonde hair that undoubtedly belongs to my waitress and the kid from earlier today. They are sitting on a bench by a bus stop. It’s past ten, and while we live in a small town, I still don’t like the idea of these two having to wait outside alone.

  I park my bike across the street and make my way over to them. Stacy sees me approach and instantly tightens her hold on the little boy, pulling him close as if to shelter him from harm. It stings a bit that she seems afraid of me, but I have to remind myself that we’re strangers I’m a big guy, and it’s dark out.

  I approach her cautiously like she’s a bunny who might just run away at any moment.

  “Hey,” I say, trying to make my voice calm and even. “Can I sit with you guys?”

  She gives me an appraising look, and I realize I may have made a mistake approaching her. Would it have been less creepy if I stayed on my bike and watched her from afar? Oh well, I’m in it now. Might as well see it through.

  Stacy shrugs and looks away. “It’s a free country.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a voice.”

  She whips her head back to me and furrows her brow. She looks so vulnerable in this moment. Apparently, I struck a chord somewhere deep inside of her. I want to ask who took her voice away and why she seems wary of men. But I’ll settle for her moving her backpack to make room for me on the bench.

  Stacy might not be comfortable with me, but the little kid seems eager to meet me.

  “Is that your bike?” He asks excitedly.

  “Sure is, buddy.”

  “Woah! How fast does it go?”

  “It tops out at two-hundred and fifty miles an hour.” I look up at Stacy, who shoots me a warning glare. “But, of course, I’d never do more than seventy-five.”

  Stacy’s lip turns up at one corner, letting me know she knows that’s absolute bullshit.

  “How long have you had it? Where do you ride? Can you do a wheelie?”

  “Calm down, honey. It’s kind of rude to ask all those questions,” she says quietly to the kid.

  He nods but still looks at me expectantly, waiting for my answers. I have to grin at his reaction.

  “I don’t mind,” I reply. “How about this. For every question I answer, you have to answer one in return?”

  “Sure!” He exclaims at the same time as Stacy says, “I don’t know…”

  “It’s ok, Stacy. I promise they’ll be easy questions.”

  She freezes, all the color draining from her face. Shit, what did I say?

  “How do you know my name?” She whispers, the fear palpable in her voice.

  “Your nametag. Remember me from the diner?”

  She breathes a sigh of relief. “Yeah, of course. Sorry.” Stacy shakes her head like she’s clearing out unpleasant thoughts.

  “So,” I address the little kid. “What’s your name?”

  He looks over to Stacy as if asking her permission.

  What are you running from? I want to ask.

  Stacy nods her head.

  “I’m Todd. This is my sister, Stacy.”

  I reach out my hand to shake his. Todd grips me in a firm handshake. I reach out for Stacy’s hand before I can think better of it. She stares at me for a second, but then takes my hand in a firm, but gentle handshake. The feeling of her soft, cool skin dissolves into me, prickling my nerves, and draining my lungs of air. I know she feels it too when our eyes meet. We have another moment like back at the diner. Nothing else matters but us.

  She yanks her hand away and focuses on her lap, picking at some imaginary lint on her skirt.

  “My turn! My turn!” Todd says enthusiastically. I have to smile at his excitement. “How long have you ridden a bike?”

  “I’ve been on a motorcycle since I was your age.”

  “Will you teach me?”

  “Todd,” Stacy quietly scolds.

  “You’re not quite old enough to drive one of these, buddy.”

  “But will you give me a ride?”

  “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t I take you and your sister out sometime? We can get to know each other. Maybe after a while, we can go on a ride, just you and me.“

  “Yeah!” He practically bounces off the bench.

  “So, what do you say, sweetness?”

  Her look turns deadly. “I’m no one’s sweetness, River. And I don’t appreciate you using my little brother as a way to score a cheap date.”

  There’s that fire I knew she had. It’s ok, I like a challenge.

  “You’re no cheap date, Stacy. I promise only the best for you two.”

  “Like steak? We’ve never had steak before!” Todd chimes in with that innocent and humiliating way only kids can manage. Stacy’s cheeks turn bright red.

  “We can have whatever you want, buddy. Steaks. Shrimp. Caviar.”

  “Is that fish poop?” He says, crinkling his nose.

  “I think it’s fish eggs, actually.”

  “Even worse!” He makes a vomit sound.

  I chuckle. “Agreed. But it’s fancy people food, and if it’s what you two wanted, I’d stomach it.”

  Stacy has a soft smile on her lips, but it quickly drops to a thin line when she sees me looking. She still hasn’t agreed to anything, but I have my game plan now. She needs to see that I’m patient, that I can be good with her kid brother, that I’ll respect her choices. So, I let it drop for now.

  “Here’s our bus. Gotta go.” Stacy stands up and slings her backpack over her shoulder.

  Todd pouts but then gets with the program once Stacy drags him along. “Bye River! I sti
ll want to ride your bike!“

  I wave goodbye. “Soon, buddy. Just have to get your sister on board.” Stacy glares at me one last time, making my dick throb in my jeans. Yeah, my little kitten has some fight in her, and it’s sexy as fuck.

  I watch as they board the bus and take a seat by the window. Stacy pulls Todd onto her lap and hugs him close. I don’t know what these two have been through, but they are mine to protect now.

  2

  Stacy

  Todd is exhausted by the time we get home. I feel bad keeping him up this late, especially since tomorrow is his first day at his new school. But bills need to be paid and I was lucky to find a job in this tiny town with at least forty hours a week, more if I can cover shifts for the other girls.

  The entire bus ride, Todd couldn’t stop talking about River. How cool he is, how awesome his bike is, how nice he is. I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm over his new friend. And truthfully, I’m intrigued by River myself.

  When I first saw the table of large men in leather jackets, I’ll admit I was a little intimidated. But when I left home, I decided that I was going to take control of my life. No more fear. Okay, I realize that’s pretty much impossible, but I wasn’t going to be a scared little kid anymore.

  I have Todd to think about. I’ve tried to protect him the best I could since our parents died and our older brother, Brad, got custody of us. Todd was just six and I was sixteen. Brad has always been kind of a loose cannon, but the drinking escalated to drugs, which escalated to dealing, and, well, things only got worse from there.

  I turned eighteen last week. At 12:01, I gathered up everything I could fit into a backpack and duffel bag, grabbed Todd, and snuck out to the bus station. With the little money I saved up, I was able to get our bus tickets to this little town in California.

  I don’t know what it was that made me choose this town. I looked up places that were far away from Georgia. Somewhere by the water with lots of sun. Somehow, Sausalito popped up in one of my searches and it just felt like home. So, I figured out a roundabout route to get there, paying for tickets in cash, getting several transfers to throw Brad off if he came looking for us.