“This is a good-looking young man?”
“Yeah, he’s attractive, Clara. You’d eat him up,” I teased as I brushed my hair. I’d put on some stylish jeans and a decent top. While I looked nice, I didn’t want to wear a dress that screamed ‘date’.
“You should show your legs,” Clara grumbled from my phone. I glanced down and grinned. She’d wanted to pick out my clothes, then my makeup, and so on. Sadly, Clara couldn’t manage the stairs yet, so she was stuck with my choices and unable to bully me.
“This is a thank you, nothing else.”
“Darling, have you ever dated—”
“Don’t say his name!” I exclaimed. “That’s a surefire way of ruining my night.”
“Okay, I won’t, dear. But do have an open mind. Not all men are likehim,” Clara murmured.
“No. But there are enough of that type around that I really don’t want to attempt dating again. Anyway, ma’am, I’m coming down so you can judge me in person.” I cut the call and headed downstairs.
Clara was in her armchair, which she preferred with her bad hip, and beside her was Rose. They were gossiping and drinking tea. They both raised their heads and smiled.
“Ah, beautiful,” Clara said.
“I doubt it. I told you, I’m not dressing up!”
“Doesn’t matter. You still look wonderful either way. Even in your scrubs,” Clara’s nose wrinkled, “you stand out.”
“Okay, ladies. Enough chit chat. You two behave tonight, and only a small sherry, Clara. The medication you’re on is dicey as it is.”
Clara scowled at being denied her usual large nightly tipple. I’d no idea how Clara drank it, as sherry was awful, but Clara had one every night. Of course, as a lady, she had a secret tot of whiskey first thing every morning to get her motor running, as Clara put it.
“Have fun. We won’t wait up!” Rose called, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” I said adamantly and headed out.
???
Hell’s Fury wasn’t what I’d been expecting, which had been rather judgmental of me. I’d expected a dive bar and had madesure to carry mace. Instead, it sat on Spearfish’s main street and looked decent. I’d watched for a few minutes, seeking what type of clientele it attracted, and was relieved to see non-biker people entering too.
Leaving the car in a lucky parking space that had been free, I crossed the road and entered. Music hit me immediately, and then I heard voices. The place was packed for a weeknight, which surprised me. Cautiously, I made my way over to the bar, keeping an eye out for Smokey. When I reached it, he was already there chatting with two men wearing the same cuts as him.
“Hey!” Smokey smiled as he spotted me.
“Hi.”
“This is Snake Lady,” he introduced me.
“Snake Lady, that’s your name?” the older one asked, and I rolled my eyes.
“No, it’s actually Medusa,” I replied, and he guffawed loudly.
“Smart girl! I like you. I’m Big Al, a founder of Hellfire MC. This miserable fuck is Chatter, but he isn’t very communicative despite his road name. Well, not unless you’re his old lady, then he doesn’t shut up,” Big Al said. He clapped the sour-looking man on the shoulders. Moments later, I took that uncharitable thought back as his face lit up, and I glanced to where he was staring. Without a word, Chatter left, and Smokey and Big Al chuckled.
“And that’s his old lady,” Smokey stated as Chatter yanked a beautiful female into him and kissed her. Damn, talk about not being afraid of PDA.
“I’ll leave you kids to your date,” Big Al said as his eyes hit on a woman and his own face lit up. He strode away and tackled her as she laughed.
“That’s Tati, his old lady,” Smokey said. “What are you drinking?”
“Lemonade, and I’m buying.” I turned and saw a bartender waiting.
“That and my usual,” Smokey ordered, and the guy moved away.
