Angel left Zara's that night but, instead of going back to the clubhouse, went straight home. His head was clouded, much busier than usual, and it wasn't something he could ignore by seeing his brothers. Angel had to make a decision about Zara, the woman who had infiltrated his life and taken up residence in his head. Should he keep seeing her, following his own feelings, or do the brotherly thing and let EZ pursue her? When he fell asleep he was no closer to an answer than when he first laid his head on the pillow.

The next morning Angel arrived at the yard as he usually did and started his day. EZ approached the table where Angel and Creeper were sitting, Romero work shirts on their backs with coffee and cigarettes in their hands.

"Hey," EZ said as he joined them. "What's up?"

Creeper shook his head, still looking half asleep, and Angel shrugged a little before answering.

"Nothing."

"You both have a yard shift?" EZ asked casually making conversation.

Creeper nodded. "I'm going for a refill. You need coffee?" He asked EZ as he stood to refill his own

"I'm good," EZ said, surprised Creeper didn't make him go get the refill, "Thanks."

Angel watched as Creeper strolled away before turning back to his brother. "You like Zara?" He asked.

EZ was taken aback and he showed it. "Yeah, I do," he smiled a little, "I think we have a lot in common."

Frowning a little, Angel nodded. "So Saturday is your idea of a date?" He asked mockingly. "Book shopping and lunch?"

"She sounded excited," EZ said confidently. "What? You're interested?" There was a bit of surprise in his voice.

"Yeah," Angel said defensively. "Why?"

"I just don't think you're her type," he told Angel, "And she doesn't seem like yours."

Angel would have agreed with EZ before actually having a conversation with Zara. Now that he had, though, he didn't think EZ knew what he was getting into.

"Why? Cause she's a teacher?" Angel asked.

"Different interests," EZ said simply.

"Different interests," Angel scoffed. "You two gonna get married and have some Ivy League kids?"

EZ shook his head. "What are you talking about? What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Angel said dismissively.

He looked at EZ, lips tight, and shook his head. There was a part of him that new he was projecting his own insecurities onto the situation but he still felt EZ was, to put it frankly, being a dick.

"You're good if I go?" EZ asked Angel. "Tell me if you're not."

Angel smirked a little bit. "Go ahead, little brother. If you need directions to her place, let me know. I can help you get there."

"Her place?" EZ asked quickly. "You were there?"

"Last night," he said, winking at EZ, "I didn't stay though. Don't worry."

"I'm not," EZ said casually.

They looked at each other for a second before Angel headed into the clubhouse and EZ returned to his trailer.

"Was that a fight?" Chucky asked Coco, the two of them having watched the interaction from the office.

Coco didn't know. It was oddly light-hearted but still tense and Coco knew Angel well enough to see he was legitimately offended, even hurt, by EZ's assumptions.

"They'll be fine," Coco told Chucky, "Whatever that shit was."

"There's nothing more important than family," Chucky said somberly.

Coco side eyed him but agreed. "Yeah, I know. They'll be fine."

Angel knew the whole thing was an overreaction, he was sensitive when it came to comparisons and competitions with EZ but he truly liked Zara. Feeling self-conscious, he decided to text her.

"I had fun last night. Sorry I ran out."

Moments later she responded.

"Me too, I'm glad you came by. We should do it again."

"Definitely. I'll hit you up soon."

Zara smiled as she read Angel's texts, butterflies in her stomach, and fought the urge to ask him over that evening. She even went so far as to type out the invite text but quickly deleted it.

"Hey," a voice said from the hallway.

Looking up from her phone, Zara saw the principal, Mr. Anhault, in her classroom doorway. "Oh hey," she waved. "Everything okay?"

"Of course," he smiled. "Good job with that recycle drive."

"Thank you," she beamed proudly. "The scrap place I took it to added a donation of their own too actually."

"Give me their card, I'll have to remember that," he said eagerly. "We have to keep up with the community. They help us, we help them."

Zara nodded and went into her bag for the Romero Brothers business card she'd snagged the other day.

"Here you go," she said offhandedly. "I'm going to pick up some replacements this weekend. I'll bring receipts on Monday morning."

"Just leave it on my desk," he said quickly. "Have a good day, Zara."

The principal walked away leaving Zara feeling good about her role at the school. This was her third year but the first time she truly felt comfortable and competent as an educator. Now that her professional life was going so well, Zara figured it was time to work on her personal life.

The bell rang and her first period loudly crammed into the room. With a new pep in her step, Zara greeted her class and started the lesson with exuberance.

That evening, on her porch, Zara decided to reach out to a friend. She had exaggerated how close they were when she talked to EZ about her ties to the high school.

"Hey! What's up?" Zara sent anxiously.

"Nothing. How about you?"

She was relieved to see the response was so positive. "Same. We should get together soon. I haven't seen you in ages."

"Yes! Things have been kind of hectic here. Lunch? This week?"

"Sure! Let me know what works for you. My schedule is much more predictable at school."

"Will do! I'll call you sometime tomorrow and we can figure out the details!"

The conversation didn't take up as much time as she had hoped it would and Zara was left with the urge to text Angel. Crushes were fun, but she was always so eager and uncertain how to proceed. Luckily for her, at that moment, she didn't have to wonder. Her phone rang and, although she would have liked to wait as not to seem desperate, she answered it immediately.

"Hey, Angel." Anyone could have heard the smile in her voice. "What's up?"

"Hey," he said sweetly. "Nothing. I wanted to see what you were up to and if you're hungry."

"You'll come to learn I am always hungry," she laughed. "What did you have in mind?"

"That little charcoal on your porch good to go?"

Zara glanced over and looked at it, pushed in the corner of her porch with a potted plant on top, surprised he'd noticed it at all.

"Yeah, should be," she said with uncertainty.

"You good in I come over? Probably in about 45?"

With an impossibly cheesy grin on her face, Zara agreed. "Yeah. That's good. I'll see you then."

As soon as the call ended she was on her feet. There was so much she needed to do and only 45 minutes to do it. First thing, she carefully carried the grill into the house and through to the backyard. When she came back in, she saw the trail of ash and charcoal she'd left on her way.

"Christ," she huffed.

When she tried to vacuum it, things only got worse. The bulk of the mess was sucked up but with such a light covered rug the little specks that had been blown around and tracked on the wheels on the vacuum were easy to see.

"What's more important?" Zara asked herself. "The carpet or your messy ass self?" Deciding on the latter, she put the vacuum away and rushed up the stairs to preen a bit without looking like she tried.

By the time she heard Angel coming up the block, she had all but picked what to wear. His engine died out front so she quickly grabbed a pair of shorts and a black and white baseball T-shirt.

Running down the steps, she grabbed her sneakers and pulled them on just as he knocked on the door. Plastering a smile on her face she swung the door open.

"Angel," she said sweetly. "Come in."

"I brought some meat," he said. Presenting her with a plastic bag, two good sized steaks wrapped up in white paper inside, Angel smiled at her. "You have an indoor grill issue?" He remarked, looking at the mess on the floor.

"Ugh, yeah," she huffed. Zara took the bag from him. "I don't have people over often and I wanted to use the backyard, I love it, but that means moving the grill."

"So you moved it through the living room instead of around the side of the house?" Angel laughed as he asked, following her into the kitchen.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was quicker, just a lot messier." While Angel looked around Zara washed her hands and unwrapped the steaks. "I don't know what I have to make with these."

"They're big enough," Angel mused. "We might not need anything else."

The steaks slapped loudly on the cutting board drawing his attention from the pictures and such on her fridge. "So, what, are these just about to be bad? Sell em' today or they're rotten tomorrow?"

"Nah," he laughed, "They're fresh and I even had to pay for em'. My old man is no joke."

"He seems sweet," she shrugged.

"You were a customer," he reminded her. "Lemme do it," Angel pointed to the meat, "I wanted to cook them and shit for you, you don't have to do anything."

Zara tried to hide her smile. "Thank you." Grabbing some beers from the fridge, she gestured toward the back door. "I'll start the grill, just come out when you're done like, massaging that or whatever you're doing."

Angel laughed and nodded, searching for what he needed on her spice rack. It was just a few minutes before he joined her out back. Her set up was impressive, even for the small space. There was a small cement area with a table and chairs with a patch of grass on the far side with some flowers. A tall wooden fence provided privacy and a string of lights overhead helped them see through the darkness.

"You were right, it's nice out here."

She smiled. "My ex was a contractor, he did hardscaping stuff too. I'm lucky cause this house was a mess when I got it, the price was right though. He really helped fix it up."

Angel listened, his eyes on the grill as the coal heated up. "And he was unlucky enough to become the ex," he remarked.

"I'm no saint," she admitted.

Glancing over his shoulder at her for a second, Angel saw her sitting criss-cross on the bench nursing a beer with a little pout. "No?" He chuckled a little. "I'll see myself out, then," he said shooting a wink her way, "This meat is for saints only."

"Then I doubt you, Mr. Harley riding, leather wearing, tattoo loving scrapyard worker, are worthy of those steaks either."

"That's what makes it taste so good," he told her.

"I guess we'll find out."

While Angel carefully cooked the steaks he and Zara talked about their days, just casual chatting, until he clapped his hands.

"Alright, Z, let's eat!"

Barely a word passed between them as they ate, the steaks just as good as Angel had expected in hopes of charming her. Zara tried to seem ladylike as she ate but she wanted to inhale the steak in one bite. Her silverware clattered on the plate as she leaned back with a satisfied grin.

"You were right," she sighed. "That was amazing."

"I'm glad you liked it," he said with a relieved smile, "I was waiting for you to tell me you're vegan or some shit."

"Oh no," she adamantly, "Most definitely not."

Zara stood up and took his plate, dismissing his offers to help, then hurried inside to leave them in the sink. She grabbed two more beers and joined him once again, her feet curled up under her as she leaned toward him.

"Thank you for dinner," she said politely.

"My pleasure," he smirked at her.

Inhaling sharply, she looked away from him as her chest grew hot under his gaze. Zara swallowed hard and laughed nervously. "So, Angel, tell me were your years at school pleasant ones?"

"No," he laughed loudly. "No offense, Miss Osbourne, but I couldn't wait to get outta there."

"I am...shocked," she said sarcastically.

"You?" He asked, pulling his cigarettes out.

"Actually no," she shrugged. "High school sucked, hard, when I went to college I had fun though, turned into a real fucking dork, hence the double major and yada yada."

"Did you just yada yada me?"

"What?" She laughed. "It's a typical college story. Freshman gear was vodka IVs and lots of gross, greasy food before I got serious."

"I thought you were gonna say gross, greasy something else."

She smirked and shook her head. "Tell me about the club."

"It's just a club," he said casually.

Side-eyeing him, she let it slide and moved on. The more evasive he was about the Mayans the more she wanted to know. Although she never suspected illegal activities there was something about the whole lifestyle, the rules and the set up that intrigued her.

"Do you want dessert?"

Patting his stomach he shook his head. "I'm good."

"Okay," she pursed her lips and thought for a moment, "I feel like a bad host."

"You're not," he assured her.

"You don't mind not doing anything?"

"I just like sitting with you," he admitted. "If that's cool."

"No that's great," she said quickly. "You have a better view of the moon so I'm coming over." Zara got up and scurried over to the other side of the table to sit beside him. "I wish we could see more stars."

"Can't see shit here, you go down closer to the border though and it's amazing."

Zara smiled at that. "Really?"

"Yeah, I'm down there a lot a night." Seeing how excited she was, Angel grabbed her hand. "You wanna go?"

"Now?"

"Yeah," he said eagerly. "I'll have you home by midnight, I promise."

"I don't have a curfew," she joked. "Remember, I'm no saint."

Angel grinned and stood, leading her back into the house. "You're not nervous, are you?"

"Of?"

"Riding with me?"

"No," she lied boldly. "Not at all."

They left, locking the door and hurrying to his Harley. Angel wasn't an idiot, he could see how hesitant she was as he got on his bike. Handing her his helmet, he smacked the spot behind him. "Come on."

Zara took a deep breath and got on behind him, her arms wrapped so tight around him he grunted, his stomach still full from dinner. He took it slower, for her, and felt her grip ease ever so slightly as she grew more comfortable.

They pulled up to a spot that didn't even look like a spot. At all. Zara had a momentary freak out thinking he was seriously going to murder her. She climbed off the bike first and looked around at the nothingness that surrounded them and turned back to him.

"Uh, this is it?" She asked with uncertainty. "Or are you going to murder me? I'm a true crime junkie so be prepared for a bitch that's gonna fight back."

Angel smiled at her, cute even when trying to be firm, and shook his head. "Nah. Come on." He grabbed his bedroll and took her hand again. Walking a few paces ahead he led her a few hundred feet to where the wall stopped right up against a rocky hillside.

"A lot of the border is fences and walls and ugly shit but there are some really nice spots if you know where to look."

Laying out his tan striped blanket, he motioned for her to sit. She did, smiling, and inched closer once he sat beside her.

"Well, you do know where to look, this is gorgeous, Angel."

He looked at her wistfully and nodded. "Yeah, it's beautiful," he said quietly.

They sat in silence, looking up at the stars, but Angel was thinking too much to enjoy the view. He didn't meet women, not in the way he met Zara. Usually, they're working at Vicki's or hanging around the clubhouse looking for a night with one of them. He was lonely, longing for something a brother couldn't give him and more one night stand. Now that he found someone he felt he connected with his brother was interfering. Normally, Angel would never feel the need to fight with EZ, or any of them, over a girl but there was much more at play than just his budding feelings for Zara.

"Thank you for bringing here."

"Steaks and stars," he crooned seductively, "A good first date, I think."

Zara drew her head back. "Is this a date?"

"If you want it to be," he said nervously. "If not its just friends eating steak and uh, sitting on a blanket in the desert looking at a sky full of-"

Before Angel could finish the thought, Zara's lips were on his. She slid closer to him, her fingers gripping the tiny cuffs of his sleeves as his hands crept up her arms to her face.

Slowly they moved closer and closer until she was straddling him, their kisses intensifying until a deafening siren startled them apart.

"Jesus Christ," Zara yelped.

"Border Patrol," Angel groaned. "It's alright, we just gotta go. Uh, just raise your hands when they come over."

"What? Really?!"

Zara felt her stomach churn when he said it but she did as he told her when they came into view. The officers questioned them briefly but it was easy to prove they were simply American citizens looking for a romantic spot. With little issue they were sent on their way with a stern warning.

"That was scary," she laughed a bit. "I wanted to vomit, for real."

"You don't have to be scared," he assured her. "Let me get you home."

The ride back felt shorter than before and as Zara and Angel stood on her porch, she tried to decide whether or not she should invite him in.

"You should get some sleep," he said softly. She was happy he didn't suggest it, she wanted to wait and it was nice to know he wasn't going to push. Cupping her face, Angel leaned in and kissed her. "I'll call you."

"Please do," she beamed, "I really enjoy our daily chats."

"I promise," he said. Kissing her one last time, Angel waited for her to get inside before slowly moving down the steps and back to his bike. "Sorry, E," he whispered, "You're going to have to fight me for this one."

Zara and Angel did talk daily, missing one day when Angel got tied up with club stuff, but not once did either of them mention her plans with his brother. When she woke up that morning, Zara slowly got ready to meet EZ. She was less excited to see him then she had been to talk to Angel but she was glad, she didn't need that kind of mess in her life.

They planned to meet at the yard. It was closer to the bookshop than her house and, even though she didn't know yet, EZ lived there. He came out of the trailer surprised to see she was early.

"Oh, you didn't tell her about your McMansion?" Angel mocked.

"What are you doing here?" He snapped. "It's Saturday."

"I picked up Coco's weekend shift," he said smugly.

"I wonder why," EZ grumbled.

Angel winked at him before sauntering over toward Zara. "Hey," he kissed her cheek, "I'm glad I caught you."

"I didn't know you would be here," she was giddy.

"Coco needed off, I picked up the shift for him."

"Aren't you so kind," she teased. "I'll call you tonight?"

"Actually, you should come by the clubhouse if you want. It's the weekend, you could have a few beers and hang out."

"That sounds great," she said eagerly.

"Come by around 8, if that works," he suggested.

"Perfect," she beamed. "See you then."

"Hey," EZ interrupted. "Sorry."

"No problem," she said casually. "I didn't know you lived here."

"Yeah, while I get back on my feet," he said. It wasn't the way he wanted to broach the conversation but he didn't think before opening his mouth.

"Back on your feet?"

EZ looked at her hesitantly. "It's a long story, not really book shopping conversation."

"Uh, okay." Zara looked at his bike and back at him. "I'll drive if you don't mind?"

"Nah," he chuckled, "That's fine."

They drove to the bookshop, casual conversation between them until he told her to park. They walked about a half a block to the shop stopping at a tiny storefront she never would have noticed.

"This?" She asked. "It's so cute."

"Wait to see you see inside," he said excitedly. EZ opened the door for her and watched her face light up as she got the full view of the bookstore.

"Wow," she gasped. "This is incredible, EZ."

He smiled proudly and nodded. "I know. Come on, let's get you some classics."

"Can you help?" She asked timidly. "There's a lot I have to get, Librarian's orders, but I want to grab some different stuff too."

"Sure. What do you need?"

Zara rolled her eyes. "Grab whatever Shakespeare they have, Jane Austen, all that overdone stuff."

EZ nodded. "Quick question, what's your favorite book?"

Zara didn't hesitate. "On the Road, Kerouac. I know, not original but I love it."

"No, it's a good one," he said. "Don't ask me mine, it'll take me weeks."

"Get back to me then," she laughed. "Meet back here?"

"You got it."

Zara shopped, and shopped, and shopped. She was in heaven. Her arms were full by the time EZ found her again. She turned, shock on her face, and quickly apologized. "Sorry. You were waiting?"

"Yeah," he laughed. "It's fine though. You ready?"

"Yeah, I need to slow down," she laughed. "I love this place, EZ. It's amazing. Thank you."

He smiled and nodded. "Of course, I loved high school so it's nice to help them...and you."

Zara felt uneasy when he said it, sensing more from him than she expected to, but just nodded. "Let me buy you a book," she offered.

"I'm good, I have too many waiting for me to get to them," he said with disappointment.

"Prospect life keeps you busy?"

"Yeah," he grumbled. "Lotta grunt work."

"Seems like it's worth it, though," she said positively. "You'll be like, a full member, or whatever, soon and have a cool little Harley family and stuff. I think the club is neat."

EZ's face turned down but he didn't say anything. They paid quickly and EZ helped her carry her bags to her car. "I'm hungry. You ready to grab a bite?"

"Oh," she frowned. "Uh, I don't know. I'm uh, kind of tired."

"My brother?" He asked her knowingly.

Zara blushed with embarrassment. "No."

"We can have lunch as friends," he suggested. "Really, it's fine."

"Totally platonic?"

EZ laughed. "Sure. I don't think you have to stress too much, Zara. I didn't think you guys were dating or anything."

"Oh well, I mean, I don't know," she shrugged. "I just mean it's weird if I, you know, go out on a date with him then go out with you a few days later without kind of being upfront about what I want."

"I thought we got along great," he said sadly.

"We do," she said quickly.

"I'm not good at this, I'm sorry," he explained. "It's been a while since I tried to talk to a girl."

"That whole getting back on your feet thing?" She asked sadly.

EZ nodded. "I can tell you about it, over lunch?"

"Okay," she said. "Why not?"

For Zara the lunch was uneventful. She was devastated by EZ's story, his obsession after his mother was killed and the pure bad luck that landed him in prison. He was so caught in that moment, so hellbent on getting the man that killed his mother, he just fired in a panic. Her heart truly broke for him.

The story basically dominated their meal and by the time he got to the present, the bill was on the table. Zara grabbed it. "It's the least I can do."

"No, please, let me."

"Stop," she said forcefully. "I had fun today." Reaching across the table she gave his hand a squeeze. "There's a lot deeper down in there. I love people with depth, thank you for sharing it all with me."

EZ nodded, feeling the urge to cry so he kept his mouth shut to keep from breaking down. After Zara paid their check, they walked back to her car and sat in comfortable silence on the way back to the yard.

"Will you be here tonight?" She asked as he got out of her car.

"You're coming tonight?"

Zara nodded. "I thought you overheard me and your brother. We're going to hang out here."

"Oh, cool. That'll be fun."

"I think so! I'll see you tonight!"