The last couple of months have been a fucking shit show, but it also could have been so much worse. I’ll take the wins where I can get them.
The parking lot overflows into the back grassy area. Kids run around chasing each other, immune to the loud music pouring from the speakers. Haley takes off the second Josie gets her out of the car, disappearing inside, either to find one of her favorite people or a treat from Jo in the kitchen.
“I got her,” Josie calls over her shoulder, following in a dress that steals the blood throughout my body, redirecting it south to my cock.
Trenton’s door closing pulls my focus back. That same nervous energy from earlier radiates off him in droves as he takes everything in. It’s a fair response for someone who’s never experienced our way of life.
The garage doors on the shop are up, exposing an old Chevy on the lift in one stall and a couple of bikes in the one next to it. I need to check in with Axe Man on the books, and it looks like now’s as good a time as any.
“Come with me, I want to introduce you to someone.” I knock him on the shoulder as I pass and listen for his following footsteps.
The crunch quickly comes from behind, keeping up with my long strides across the parking lot. Motor oil and fresh rubber assault my senses as we step inside, the music from the main building drowning out the clanking of metal on metal underneath the car.
“Need a hand?” I call out, grabbing his attention.
Axe Man doesn’t startle, just tucks the wrench he washammering away with into his back pocket before grabbing the rag to wipe off his hands from the other.
“Hey, boss. Who’s this?” He nods toward Trenton’s skittish form behind me.
“Axe, this is Trenton, my son.” His eyes flash with quick surprise before giving my boy a once-over.
“With ice blond hair like that, no one’s questioning you. What’s up, kid?” He holds out his hand, drawing Trenton closer into the garage.
“Hey.” It’s all he says, but he’s polite enough to take the hand offered and give it a quick shake.
“We’re about to head inside, but I wanted to check in and see if you could use an extra pair of hands a couple of times a week. Trenton’s interested in learning some basics.”
“You ever worked on cars before?”
“No, sir.”
“Sir? None of that shit out here.” He laughs. “You call me Axe Man or Axe like your old man, and we’ll be square. I can always use an extra set of hands, and as long as you can read the numbers on the wrenches I call out to you, we’ve got a starting place. I’ll have you taking the engine apart and back together in no time.”
“Cool.”
“Great. That’s all you need?” he asks, looking at me.
“Books filling up, yet? I know Chopper was working on getting the word out we’re open to the public now.”
Axe shakes his head, not in answer, but in annoyance, from the sigh that accompanies it.
“Got more bikes coming in than there are members of the club for the next few months. Apparently, our being available to the community is something we weren’t taking advantage of. As I said, I could use an extra set of hands.”
“Once we meet and restructure, you’ll have it. Now, stop working and come get something to eat.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let me finish up, and then I’ll be in. See you next week, Trenton. Make sure you wear something you’re good getting dirty.”
Trenton smiles and nods, turning to follow me out of the shop and into the main building on our lot. Bodies crowd around the tables of food, filling plates, and grabbing drinks from the bar.
“Holy shit.”
I freeze, shooting him a look with a lifted brow. His face falls, paling a shade, under my gaze.
The spark of laughter pulls from deep in my chest, exploding out, and drawing looks from the people closest to us. My hand drops to his shoulder, squeezing tight.
“I was really starting to wonder if you were a teen after all. Good to know, there’s a little fire in there somewhere. Don’t worry about it. Just keep it clean around Sienna, Pierce and Lexi’s daughter, or she’ll take your money for her swear jar. Girl’s hustling her retirement out of the lot of us.”
His shoulders relax a bit further, and he finally looks at ease again. A couple of the guys stop us as we make our way around the room, but no one comments when I introduce Trenton as mine. Only a couple of the guys knew what was going on. It wasn’t as important as the club selling our stash or getting our legit businesses rolling, but it’s great to finally have it out there in the open.
