The Last Riders - First Four Votes by Jamie Begley Page B

ground and Lily’s body arched as she tried to throw herself out of his arms.
    Beth started to go to her, but Razer took her by the arm, leading her to the house.
    “Wait, I can walk on the crutches.” Desperately, Lily tried to wrench out of his arms. Shade gave her a small toss into the air, which automatically caused Lily’s arms to circle his neck, holding on to him.
    “Be careful, you don’t want me to drop you.” Shade laughed, walking to the door of the house. Lily loosened her grip on his so that she could lean back without being pressed so close to his chest while also giving herself more breathing room.
    As he brought Lily into the house, Beth and Razer were waiting inside. “Where do you want her?”
    Beth motioned to the couch, which had been purchased for visiting members of the church and was already pulled out into a bed, ready for Lily’s use. Beth didn’t want to confine Lily to the upstairs with her foot.
    Shade gently laid Lily on the bed, making sure she was comfortable before leaving without a word.
    Speechless, Beth simply stared at the closed door. “Yes… well… thanks for picking us up.” Beth turned as the door opened again to see Shade carrying the crutches. He leaned them against the couch, close to Lily and, again, left without a word.
    “Shade’s not big on manners,” Razor tried to excuse his friend while fighting his own amusement as the women merely gaped at him.
    “Is he going to come back again?” Beth asked, staring at the door.
    “No, I think that was it for now. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Both women shook their heads.
    “All right. Then I’ll catch you later.” Razer went to stand next to Lily, touching her bandaged forehead. “Stay safe.”
    “Thanks.” Lily shyly smiled at Razer who then, not about to let Shade outdo him, left without another word.
    As soon as the door closed with a snap, the sisters gawked at each other. They both couldn’t help wondering why the men had been so considerate and helpful when it was such a contradiction to the tough biker image they normally projected.

8
    D ean called Beth several times throughout the week to check in on Lily, but anytime the conversation became personal, he would switch topics. Beth hung up from their latest conversation confused at his strange behavior. He had yet to become amorous towards her after months of dating, although he had definitely led her to believe that they were headed that way. She had thought the trip to Las Vegas would bring a new level of intimacy to their relationship. Now Dean was acting once again like her Pastor. Beth didn’t know what to make of it. Lily was going back to school tomorrow and Beth would be driving her. She had hoped that he would offer to keep her company, instead he had mentioned a scheduled meeting with a parishioner.
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    E arly the next day , the sisters left Treepoint while it was still dark; it was a three-hour drive so they decided to stop and eat breakfast before driving on to Lily’s dorm. The college was bustling with students outside the large dorm by the time they pulled up. Beth walked by Lily’s side as they passed through the common room to reach the elevators, noticing that none of the other students said hi or even acknowledged Lily.
    “Have you made many friends, Lily?”
    Lily paused in opening her door before answering truthfully as she entered her room.
    “Not really. I guess I thought that because it was a religious college, the other students would be serious about their courses. They think because I don’t go to their get-togethers that I don’t want to be friends.”
    Beth hugged her sister, remembering how uncomfortable she had felt her freshman year.
    “It’ll get easier. You will find students you have more in common with, don’t get discouraged.”
    “I won’t. It doesn’t bother me, I need to study more than I need friends to distract me.”
    "I’m sure your studies won’t suffer if you take time