Brooke watched from a table near the porch.
She had planned to leave.
Stayed instead.
Partly because she still did not feel ready to drive.
Partly because of Cole.
He took the microphone.
Riders quieted.
“I know rumors travel faster than Harleys.”
Laughter.
Cole continued:
“Some of you heard there was an incident this morning.”
Heads nodded.
“I’m saying this once.”
“No confrontation with officers.”
“No posting names until facts are verified.”
“No harassing calls.”
“No threats.”
A rider shouted:
“What if the cop deserves it?”
Cole looked toward him.
“Then evidence can do the work.”
The crowd quieted.
Cole continued:
“We are here for kids fighting cancer.”
“Do not turn their ride into your revenge fantasy.”
Brooke watched.
Power used differently.
Interesting.
Then Cole smiled.
“Also, if anybody crashes because you’re filming yourself, I will personally tell the nurses how stupid you are.”
Laughter erupted.
The ride departed at 12:30.
Hundreds of motorcycles rolling in organized pairs.
Brooke stood near the road.
Cole rode last after confirming the lot cleared.
He stopped beside her.
Black Harley.
Helmet.
Sunglasses.
“You leaving?”
“In a minute.”
“Okay.”
He hesitated.
Then:
“Give me your phone.”
Brooke’s eyebrows rose.
“Excuse me?”
He laughed.
“Bad phrasing.”
“Very.”
“Can I give you my number?”
“Why?”
“Charity logistics.”
“Professional.”
“Strictly.”
His face said maybe not strictly forever.
Brooke smiled.
She unlocked her phone.
Handed it over.
Cole typed.
Returned it.
COLE MADDOX — ANNOYING BIKER
Brooke laughed.
“I’ll edit that.”
“To?”
She changed it while he watched.
COLE MADDOX — COLLAR GRABBER
He winced.
“Legal counsel humor.”
“Terrifying.”
She looked at him.
“Be safe.”
“You too.”
He lowered the helmet visor.
Then rode after the group.
Brooke watched longer than necessary.
Three days later, Grant Mercer was placed on paid administrative leave.
The announcement said only that an investigation remained active.
The internet had other ideas.
Ben’s security video had not leaked.
But the customer video from the parking lot did.
It began after Grant had already touched Brooke.
That created confusion.
Viewers saw Brooke angry.
Cole confronting him.
Cole grabbing his uniform.
Some concluded the biker was the aggressor.
Others demanded Grant’s firing.
Some accused Brooke of staging the event.
Some analyzed her dress.
Of course they did.
One comment:
If she didn’t want attention, why wear that to a biker bar?
Brooke stared at it.
Then closed the app.
She knew better.
Still hurt.
Her mother called from Dallas.
“Delete social media.”
“Already did.”
“Good.”
“Also, who is the biker?”
Brooke stared at the phone.
“Mom.”
“What?”
“You watched a harassment video and noticed the biker?”
“He is six-four.”
“How am I supposed not to notice?”