The next day, Keenan's words cling to me like magnets. They just want to keep the MC safe? My curiosity, always my curse, drives me to my laptop. I type 'MC' alongside my town name to narrow it down, hoping for some enlightenment. The internet, as usual, is both helpful and infuriatingly vague.
After endless scrolling, I find it: The Iron Horse MC, the only motorcycle club in town. Their website is sparse, featuring a blurry picture of bikes lined up in front of a garage and a grainy logo. No names, no members, no mission statement. Suspicious to say the least.
Lost in thought, my phone buzzes. It's Riya: "Daisy! The annual community fundraiser is next week and I signed you up so get those green thumbs moving!"
I groan, texting back: "Dammit Riya, you know I've barely been able to keep myself alive lately, let alone my plants."
"Exactly why you need this! Distraction is good for you. Plus... think of it as a way to forget you-know-who." She adds a winky face. I roll my eyes, placing my phone down.
I let out a huff, she isn't wrong. If left to my own devices, I'd spend the day trying to decode Keenans world and secrets. Maybe she is doing me a favor without knowing it.
After breakfast, I grab my keys, a pad of paper, and a worn out tote bag. Seed shopping is my favorite pastime so I was excited. The garden center is heaven, filled with the earthy scent of soil and vibrant hues of seed packets.
I spend an hour poring over them, finally settling on a mix of fast-growing annuals and herbs-perfect for the fundraiser.
Back home, the midday sun beat down relentlessly as I filled small pots with the soil. My oversized shirt cling to my skin uncomfortably, so I took it off, leaving me in my bikini top and I tie my hair into a bun before getting back to work.
Lost in the rhythm of planting, I barely notice the rumble of an engine until it's right across from me.
Keenan.
He leans casually against his bike, arms crossed, a familiar smirk playing on his lips. He's wearing his vest and that's when I finally notice the emblem of the MC displayed on the worn leather. Knowing what it stands for makes him look more alluring than the first day I saw him.
I feel a flush creep up my neck, feeling instantly self-conscious about my attire.
"Well, hello there, sunshine" he draws, his voice sending shivers down my spine despite the heat.
"Hi, Keenan" I mumble, trying to ignore the way his gaze lingers on my top. I involuntarily wrap my arms around my body trying to shield it from his view but all that does is push my boobs up, his eyes darkened slightly.
"Enjoying the weather?" He pushes himself off the bike, walking closer to me but still on the other side of the fence, his eyes never leaving mine. "Or trying to attract the worms?".
My cheeks flame. "Kinda...and no" I mumble, avoiding his gaze. I look down, pretending to be intensely focused on the seed packets before me.
He chuckles, a sound that echos too pleasantly in the quiet afternoon. "So, what with the impromptu gardening? Seems like you're planting enough for the whole world."
"It's uh for the fundraiser," I stammer, finally looking up. "Riya signed me up to sell them."
"I'll have to thank her" he murmurs with a smirk that makes my heart race. He leans against the fence, towering over me and my garden bed.
"It's for charity," I add quickly, wiping sweat from my forehead and avoiding his intense gaze. I don't know if it's the blazing weather or his lingering eyes that makes me sweat profusely. Maybe both.
Keenan nods thoughtfully before opening the gate and stepping inside without permission. I can feel his eyes bore into me causing me to stiffen. My pulse quickens as he crouches beside me. His familiar scent fills my nose and i find it oddly comforting.
"Hm," he muses softly. "Might have to attend- especially if the scenery's this good."
I bite my lip, trying to focus on planting while his presence looms beside me. It's um...always...beautifully decorated" I falter mid sentence as our eyes lock onto each other.
"I won't miss it then" his voice silky, his eyes roaming over my face with an intensity that makes time stand still.
His hand reaches out slowly, brushing dirt off from my forehead with deliberate care. My breath hitches as his fingers glides against my cheek, lingering slightly longer than necessary. A swirling mix of amusement, and something darker in his eyes.
"You had a little... soil art" he mutters huskily, his gaze flickering to my lips briefly before pulling away.
"Thanks," I whisper shakily, my voice barely audible.
"My pleasure, Petal." His voice is a low rumble and warm enough to make me forget how to breathe.
Before either of us could speak again, the roar of bikes passing by shattered the moment. Keenan sighs heavily and glances at his phone as it buzzes in his pocket. His expression shifts, worry and a hint of something else clouding his features.
"I gotta go," he grumbles, his voice tight as he stands up abruptly.
"Duty?" I ask instinctively.
He hesitates for a fraction of a second before nodding vaguely. "I'll see you around Daisy."
Without another word, he walks to his bike, mounts it, and speeds off down the street. Curiosity swirls in my mind like leaves caught in a storm as I watch him disappear into the distance.
I spend the rest of the afternoon lost in thought, my hands moving mechanically as I plant seed after seed. The sun begins to set, casting a warm orange glow over my garden. It was peaceful, yet my mind was far from calm.
Later that evening Riya calls to check in. "Hey, how's the planting going? Did you get everything you needed for saturday?"
"Yeah, I did," I reply, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I feel. "Thanks for signing me up, I guess it's just what I needed."
"Anytime, Daze. You know I'm always here for you." I could tell she was smiling from the other end of the phone. "So, did you run into Keenan?" her voice was laced with curiosity.
I hesitate for a moment before answering. "Yeah, he stopped by while I was planting. He said he'd come to the fundraiser."
Riya squeals on the other end of the line. "Oh, that's perfect! I knew he couldn't resist you," she chuckles and I feel my cheeks heat up.
"He's going for the scenery Riya... not me" I retort back, oblivious to what he meant when he said it.
"You are the scenery Daisy... or should I say Petal" she says the nickname in a horribly deep voice causing me to burst into laughter.
We talk for a bit longer before hanging up. As I drift off to sleep that night, my mind keeps wandering back to Keenan and the mysterious world he seems to inhabit. The fundraiser is just a week away, and I cant help but wonder what other surprises lay in store.