I gave a hot biker my phone number.
And I couldn’twaitto see him again.
Chapter three
Tarzan
Fetching lunch for the Reckless Order was menial work intended to keep me humble as a Prospect, setting aside my pride to serve the men I hoped to call my brothers one day. If I argued and raised a fuss that it was beneath me, it would prove I valued my ego over the bonds of brotherhood.
I could admit that it chafed a little. Most Prospects were young, like Viper, in his twenties. Not my age. After a man committed to a club, he generally parked his ass there for the rest of his life. Starting over was unusual, mostly because cutting ties with a club you had devoted so much time and energy to was a tedious and painful process.
But my other option was the nomad life. My loyalty would belong to no one except myself. Roaming like a tumbleweed with no club of my own, no place to call home.
I shook my head. No, that wouldn’t suit me. I'm the ride or die type. When I committed, I went all in.
The Huckleberry Diner wasn’t my choice. After the club argued for nearly fifteen minutes over where to get the best fries,an informal vote had been taken and the diner squeaked out a victory by two points.
The thought I might see Keely again didn’t cross my mind until I stood in the diner and she was right there, with her pin-up auburn curls, red lipstick, and beaming smile. My stomach somersaulted.
Fuck, I was acting like a teenage boy with a crush.
“Hot, fresh grub,” I announced as I entered the clubhouse. “Come and get it!”
While I deposited the paper bags on the bar counter, bikers swarmed around me. I unloaded the containers of food, passing them out.
I paused at a smaller container than the others, withFor Tarzanwritten across the top in red marker.
I noticed you didn’t have any cherry pie on your list. So, I took the liberty of putting in a slice, just for you.
A small smile touched my lips at the memory.
Teddy peered over my shoulder, jerking his chin at the container in my hands.
“What’s that?”
“It’s mine,” I replied, tucking the box close.
“No shit. It has your name on it. I meant, what did you get? Burger? Chicken wings? A nice, light salad with dressing on the side because you’re watching your figure?”
I scoffed. “Ha ha. Very funny. Mind your own business and don’t touch my food.”
Wrong response. Teddy locked in, challenge accepted. He smoothly swiped the container before I could stop him.
“Damn it, Teddy,” I growled, grabbing for him.
He danced out of reach.
“It’s not Teddy anymore by the way,” he said. “It’s Trooper. I have a road name, same as you.”
“But you’re still a pain in my ass, just like you’ve always been. So I’ll keep calling you Teddy. Now stop messing with my food and give it back.”
Teddy made direct eye contact and flipped the lid open.
“Ooooh, cherry pie! And it smellsamazing. Wait a minute. There’s something else here…”
A napkin was folded next to the pie. Teddy took it out and held it up. A lipstick kiss marked the white napkin, with a phone number written in the same red ink and a little scribbled heart. Underneath it was Keely’s name.
My mouth went dry.
