Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Even if I really wanted to.
Q
“We got the radiator hose replaced but...”
“But?”
“The tires are in rough shape. I’d say they got about a couple hundred miles left on ‘em, maybe less.” Torch glanced over at Savage as he asked, “What were you saying about the water pump?”
“Damn thing’s starting to flake. Won’t be long before it’s shot.”
Savage was the spitting image of his ol’ man. He was tall with the same athletic build. Hell, he even had Cotton’s thick, unruly hair, and just like his father, he was good at fixing shit. His true talent just happened to be with engines—something he and Torch had picked up from Torch’s ol’ man. Clutch had always had a special touch with engines, which was one of the many reasons he was such a good Road Captain.
Torch and Savage both worked on all our bikes and vehicles, so I knew I could trust them when they told me about the work that needed to be done. I knew I didn’t owe Jules anything, none of us did, but for some crazy reason, it didn’t feel right returning her car when it was still fucked up. I knew Jules wouldn’t like it, but I couldn’t stop myself from telling Savage, “Go on and fix it, and try to be quick about it. She’s gonna need her car to get back and forth from work.”
“Should be able to get it done by the end of the day... If I can get the damn parts. Darrel’s stock has been running low for months now.”
“Yeah, I know. Just do the best you can.”
“You got it.”
Without saying anything more, he and Torch walked out of the family room and headed back out to the garage. Once they were gone, I turned back to Stitch and Maverick and found them both staring at me with goofy smirks on their faces. I knew they were about to give me a hard time, so I held up my hand and said, “Don’t start with me.”
“What?” Maverick’s smirk grew even wider as he teased, “We were just about to go grab some breakfast. Thought we’d see if you and your new girlfriend might wanna come with.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” I thought about our last exchange as I told him, “Hell, she’s not even a friend.”
“But you’re having the boys fix her car.”
“She’s in a tight spot.”
Stitch gave me one of his knowing looks as he asked, “Why the hell do you care if she’s in a tight spot or not?”
“I don’t... I mean, I was just trying to help her out.” Realizing how dumb this all sounded, I decided to try another route. “And I wasn’t the only one. She’s one of Smokey’s girls. He’s the one who brought her car here.”
“Um-hmm.” Maverick turned to Stitch as he said, “She’s one of Smokey’s girls.”
“Wonder if he knows Q is making a play for her.”
“Not making a play for her,” I snapped. “Chick’s not even my type.”
“Why not?” Maverick glanced over at Stitch as he chuckled, “She not breathing? No pulse?”
“Fuck you, Mav.”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for ya,” Maverick snickered. “You know, you aren’t getting any younger.”
“Not getting any younger? Are you fucking kiddin’ me?”
“Yeah, he’s right, brother.” Stitch grimaced as he continued, “Won’t be long until you have a head full of gray and need a bottle of Viagra to keep you going.”
“You speaking from experience there, brother?” I goaded.
“Fuck no. I’ve never had any trouble in that department. You, on the other hand...”
“Me nothing! I’ve got no problem. Never have. In fact, I’m good all around, so you both can fuck off.” Before they could say anything more, I shook my head and started out of the room. “I’m out. You two can go find someone else to harass.”
“What’s wrong, brother? You gettin’ sensitive in your old age?”
Without responding, I headed outside to my bike. I needed a few minutes to clear my head before going to work at the club’s construction site. There was no way I could go there when I was so wound up. Guardrail would’ve had my ass. He ran the club’s construction company, and he took his role seriously.
He never treated the place as just a front. He wanted it to be the best construction company around and expected nothing but the best from the guys working for him. He would ream me out if I showed up there and wasn’t on my A-game, especially when we were working on such an important project.
The city council was working on a big project to update several historical buildings, hoping they’d help bring new life to a once-popular area of town. After a strenuous bidding process, they hired us to complete the renovations. We had already completed the bank remodel and were currently working on the chamber of commerce and the coffee shop next door. Both buildings were over a hundred years old and needed tons of work.