I got on my bike, gave a short nod to Elizabeth, and sped out the parking lot back to my bed, all the while aware that Elizabeth never took her eyes off of me until I disappeared out of sight.
* * *
I woke up after about three more hours of sleep, feeling a lot more refreshed but suddenly without anything to do with the day. I put my clothes back on and headed downstairs, at first merely watching SportsCenter and catching up on baseball highlights.
But I could only do nothing for so long before I felt like I had to do something. I hadn’t done any repair shop work yet, and I was sure that between Garrett and Brock, they had enough coverage, but maybe I could help. Wasn’t like I had any other work I could do.
I drove my bike over to the repair shop to see two vehicles lifted up and two more in the gravel lot, waiting to get serviced. Brock, wearing oil-stained rubber gloves, looked over at me in surprise when I pulled up.
“I thought you were watching Elizabeth?”
“I was,” I said. “But she told me this morning she told her father about me and suggested I get the fuck out of there. So, I did.”
“Shit,” Brock said, shaking his head. “This Mr. Rogers is not your friendly neighbor, huh?”
I chuckled. It wasn’t a genuine laugh. I just wanted to humor Brock.
“Well, luckily for you, Garrett and I were just talking and making plans for this weekend, and I think you’ll see her again.”
“Why?”
And why do I feel warm and good? Why do I feel like I want this to happen?
This is so fucked up. This shouldn’t be happening. I’m just hurting for a Rogers; this isn’t actually what I want.
“Well, on Saturday night, we’re going to throw the first official Black Reapers MC party.”
“Woooo!” Garrett yelled from the back.
I rolled my eyes, but I welcomed some good news. I could use the chance to have some beers, kick back with the guys, and unwind after a stressful…well, really, a stressful several months, but most notably a stressful week.
“I dig it,” I said. “So, what, the seven of us and a bunch of chicks?”
“Well, somewhat, but not in the way you’re thinking. Six of us, plus the one prospect Connor all but has sewn up, and then a few more guys.”
“Guys?” I said.
The last thing I needed was moreguysat a party. I needed some women to distract me from the confusion and insanity of the Rogers girls.And myself.
“We’ve gotta recruit if we wanna fight the Bandits. I don’t know how many there are, but I think we can certainly agree there’s more than six.”
Unfortunately, that was very true.
“But there will be women there. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not a fucking business pitch,” Brock said. “We’re letting Garrett gather most of the girls. I know this will stun you, but I think he knows more women than he has STDs.”
“I heard that! And you’re welcome, by the way, Mr. Lover Boy!”
“Garrett can annoy sometimes, wouldn’t you say?” I said.
Brock did his best to hide his smile of agreement from Garrett’s view, turning back toward me and putting his hand to his face.
“How many are we trying to recruit, anyway?”
“About a dozen,” Brock said. “We do that, and we can fight the Bandits.”
“And we can control this town,” I said.
It can work. It would work. It will work.
