“Why the move, man? Just to hang with Micro and Stag?”
His lip curled at the mention of our Pres, and honestly, that shit didn’t sit well with me. Micro was fucking solid, and I’d kick the ass of anyone who disagreed.
“Nah. I had some shit going on,” he grimaced, “a bitch, you get it. Anyway, I needed a new start. A new fucking town where she wouldn’t be popping up so fucking often.”
Maybe he had more going on than just being a drunk. I guess I’d figured he was the type who had an attitude problem, and no good reason for it. Maybe he’d suffered the curse of a broken heart too. Hell, hadn’t we all at some point?
Stag joined us at the table, looking grumpy as fuck.
“I’ll play the winner.”
“Thought you were out getting pussy,” Rocket commented, taking his next shot, and showing me that I should have played with someone other than the hustler here.Fucker.
“Nah, they’re all cunts.”
I straightened up, distracted from taking my shot.
“Don’t talk about women like that, man. If they’re not into you, maybe they just have too many brain cells.”
“Hey, fuck you, okay? I used all my best lines too. There’s just no coaxing the frigid bitches’ legs apart.” He was really rubbing me up the wrong way. There was a right way to talk to, and about, women, and he clearly had no idea what it was.
“Stag, seriously, maybe try being real with them,” I frowned at him, “although, that said, there’s no way you’d appeal to them if you’re being yourself either.”
His glare intensified, and he stretched out, shoving the pool balls all over the place, wrecking our game.
“Oh come on, man, I was winning,” Rocket hissed at him, shaking his head. Like anyone had a chance against him, another new thing I’d learned about him today.
“One more word, Harley, just one, and I’ll put one of those balls down your throat.”
Rocket snorted, and I felt my lips twitching too.
“So your threat is to shove your balls down my throat? Yeah, I’m zipping my lips, I swear. Fuck no to that.”
Stag was silent for a long moment, and suddenly his vision cleared, and he started to laugh.
“Cheeky fucker. Jesus, I’m being a prick. I’m just horny and pissed off.”
“Don’t care how horny you are. Your balls stay in your pants, man.”
I passed him the pool cue.
“Play with Rocket’s balls, Stag. I need to get home. I’ve got work in the morning.”
Chapter Two
SAY WHAT YOU LIKE about motorcyclists, but most of us were pretty genuine people. I still didn’t know how I’d ended up at the old club. Bad luck, I guess. I was lonely, fairly new in town, and fell in with the wrong crowd. What a cliché, right?
I unlocked the shop, and flipped the sign, heading to the open bay, and sliding the roller door up. Ready for business, and with final checks to do on the gorgeous Night Rod waiting for collection. One day I’d upgrade to one of these fuckers. Fully tricked out, of course. I just loved my old ride, that’s what it was. I’d built my Norvin clone eight years ago, and I’d spent those years perfecting every fucking inch of her. I guess having a second ride wasn’t out of the question, but that put me back in mind of the fact that the clubhouse needed somewhere safe for us to park up. I’d made some notes last night, but by the time I reached the clubhouse tonight, I’d have a proposal ready for Micro.
Around ten, Rocket showed up, bringing two coffees from the shop down the road, and some Danish pastries.
“Aw for me?”
He looked away, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh… wasn’t sure what to do. You’re doing me a favour, man. I’m not… not used to people helping me out with no demands for reciprocation.”
I would have pushed it, messed with him a bit, but he looked so uncomfortable that I didn’t have the heart.
“It’s all good. Good timing actually, I’m starved.” We sat at my counter, tucking into our early lunch, while I explained my set up to him. I was pretty proud of my business, and the client list I’d built, not just with guys like us, but with all walks of motorcycle life, from the weekend riders, to the midlife crisis bunch, and everywhere in between. I’d had a stand at a few bike rallies and shows too, and always picked up some interest. Maybe that’d work for Rocket too.
