_ Chapter One _

The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled Sam's ears as bright blue eyes swept across the expanse of the deep blue ocean. The beach was one of his favorite places to be, besides the auto shop. If he needed time to think or a way to clear his head, the beach was the first place he would head to. The sun was warm on his pale skin and he was damn glad that he had remembered to put on sunscreen. If he hadn't, he would have been a bright shade of red. The wind was cool against his skin, causing his dark brown hair to dance around. Sam had his legs drawn to his chest, arms wrapped around them as he rested his chin on top of his knees.

Sam was not wearing the typical beach wear that most would don. But he hadn't been planning on coming to the beach at all. He had left straight after work so he was still wearing dirty faded blue jeans, black biker boots, and an oil-stained blue work shirt, unbuttoned to reveal the well sculpted body underneath.

Several tattoos adorned his form making the young man much more attractive. A bright green snake with beady red eyes was coiled around his left bicep, the fangs of the snake sinking into the crevice of his elbow. A sharp dagger was across his left forearm with the words "No Mercy" written across the blade. A skull and crossbones was tattooed across his upper right arm, extra ink casting shadows across his pale skin. Just across the left side of his rib cage were the words "Be Free" in cursive writing. Another snake tattoo similar to the one on his arm was wrapped around his right calf, hidden at the moment by the jeans he was wearing. The fangs of this snake sank into the skin just below his knee. Sam had another tattoo, one that ran down the length of his spine and was printed in bold lettering, "Sons Of Liberty".

Sons of Liberty was the name of the biker gang Sam was a part of. It was a gang that had been created long ago by the great-great-grandparents of several of the members. Sam's own great-great-grandfather had been part of the original six members. His great-grandfather, his grandfather, and his father were all proud members of the group. Sam himself had joined the group when he was only thirteen years old and now here he was, a seventeen year old and still a proud member.

He was having quite a terrible day and that was his reason for heading for the beach, to calm himself and find solace.

Today was his last day in the small town he was born, raised, and lived his whole life in. It was rather depressing knowing that as soon as he got home, he would help load the rest of the boxes into the moving truck and then his whole family would drive off to their new home in another town. As he thought about the move, he suddenly realized that his parents were expecting him to be home soon so he could help with the moving process.

With a defeated sigh, he pushed himself to his feet and took one last look at the ocean before him. As both eyes filled with tears, Sam cleared his throat then turned away. "So long..." He whispered to no one in particular before mounting his Harley and driving off.

Upon entering his home, Sam saw his parents moving around the living room crazily. They barely acknowledged his presence as they were too immersed in packing. Sam shook his head and let out a low chuckle as he watched the pair dart about.

Lucia-May Thompson was a thin woman with wavy blonde hair that fell past her shoulders. Her eyes were a bright shade of blue and wide like open doors. She was dressed in a lavender summer dress and black sandals as she worked furiously. She was busy taping boxes shut and muttering under her breath about what else she needed to do. She was a strong spirited kind woman who loved the beach as much as her son did. Lucia worked at a small clinic as a nurse and it was her career that prompted the move. She had been offered a better and higher paying job at a larger hospital in the new town they were moving to. At first, she was willing to decline the offer so that her family could stay in their birthplace and so that her children wouldn't have to worry about transferring schools. But her husband and children realized that it was a good idea and that was how they managed to sell their house and buy a new one in the other town they were moving to.

Henry Calvin Thompson was a broad-shouldered and well-built man with large arms that looked as if they were crafted straight out of steel. He had wavy brown hair and green eyes that resembled the color of freshly cut grass. His arms, chest, and back were covered in intricate tattoos. His tan skin was a real nice backdrop to the tattoos that were either in black ink or bright colors. He was a mechanic and worked at the same auto shop that Sam worked in. It was actually Henry who had convinced his boss to allow his son to work there part-time. At the moment, the sweat clad male was busy carrying packed boxes out to the moving truck parked in the driveway.

"Sam's here." The deep gravely voice of Henry broke out as he carried a large box outside. Lucia quickly looked up from her work and let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank goodness! We needed your help!" Lucia exclaimed as she motioned to the stacks of boxes by the doorway. "Help your father with those please!"

As Sam turned to lift a box of what felt like rocks into his arms, his younger brother bounded into the room. Lucas James Thompson was a lean and small sixteen year old with bright green eyes and curly blonde hair. He was dressed in swim shorts and a Hawaiian t-shirt, black sandals adorning his feet. Lucas had only one tattoo and it was of a surfboard propped up in the sand, that stretched across his right forearm.

Upon seeing his older brother, a large smile spread across his face as he spoke in a happy bubbly tone. "You're home!" He then darted forward to envelope his brother in a hug, quite a feat seeing as Sam was still holding the heavy box in his arms.

"Hey buddy!" Sam responded as he gave his brother a one-arm hug before turning to carry the box out the door.

"Hey Sam! When you're done helping dad load the truck, do you think you could help me mount my surfboard on top of the mini-van?" Lucas asked in his cheerful surfer tone.

Sam nodded with a chuckle. "Of course." He then headed outside to finally put the heavy box inside the moving truck. The moving truck was pretty full but luckily they weren't taking things like the couches and beds. Selling the house with those things included actually helped the family gain more profit. With the money they earned, they were able to buy whole new furniture for the new house.

After several back and forth trips, Sam and his father were able to load the moving truck with the last of the boxes. They loaded Henry's own Harley last before they shut the truck. Lucas had helped his mother with loading the mini-van with other lightweight items. Afterwards, Henry and Lucia began to discuss the road trip plans. While their parents conversed in the living room, Sam helped Lucas strap and tie the bright yellow surfboard onto the top of the baby blue minivan.

"Sam..." Lucas spoke after a long silence that followed after they had finished tying the surfboard.

"Yeah bud?" Sam questioned as he turned to look at his brother. The two were very different but they had somehow become quite close and were not only brothers but the best of friends.

"Are you nervous about moving? And going to a new school?" Lucas asked in a small voice as he crossed surfer built arms over his chest.

Sam sighed as he lifted a hand and ran it through his oiled hair. "I have to admit that I am...but we don't have to worry about school for a while seeing as it's still summer."

"That's true..." Lucas replied with a small nod as he began to nibble on his lower lip.

"Hey," Sam said as he placed a hand on Lucas' shoulder gently. The younger brother rose his gaze as he looked up at his brother. "It's going to be alright, really. Plus, I heard the waves on the beach over there are much more amazing."

At the mention of his favorite activity and basically lifestyle, Lucas' nervous expression faded and an excited expression took over instead. "You're right! Hey, I also heard that there's this cool hangout there and all the teens hang out there!"

"Really? Have you been researching this new town?" Sam asked with a tilt of his head and an arch of his brow.

"A little. It's called Big Momma's and they sell the best food and drinks!" Lucas explained with a rapid nod of his head. Blonde curls bouncing as he did so.

"Sounds neat." Sam stated before his gaze darted over to his parents who had just exited the house. They locked the front door and carefully wedged the key underneath the welcome mat.

"Alright, it's time for us to head on out!" Lucia exclaims as she happily claps her hands together. Henry chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing a sweet kiss to her temple.

Sam and Lucas turned to look at each other before forcing smiles onto their faces. Joining their kids on the front lawn, Lucia and Henry began to explain the game plan. Henry would drive the moving van, Sam would go on his bike, and Lucas and Lucia would take the mini-van. They would drive until they reached a town that was between this town and the town they were headed to. There they would pull into a small motel and would sleep for a good few hours. Then they would take off once more and drive until the new town came in sight.

With the plan settled, Henry clambered into the moving truck and started it. Lucas and Lucia slipped into the mini-van whilst Sam mounted his Harley and revved the engine. The mini-van pulled out first and Sam followed suit as Henry brought up the rear with the monster of a moving truck. As they began the trip, Sam began to wonder what the new town would be like. Nostalgia set in as his heart throbbed at the pain of leaving this town behind. For once, Sam was glad he was wearing his helmet and glasses because it would hide the tears that began to pour down his face.