“Easy”—Faith No More
Late January
IT HAD BEEN SO fucking cold lately, and the snow seemed to come down steady almost every day this week. It was like living in a damn snow globe. “This snow has been the shit, bro. My bike fucking thinks I forgot about her. Sometimes I think we should move the club somewhere warmer… like Florida or Texas.” Times like this, I missed Texas like crazy. I was so damn miserable in this weather, and the inability to ride my bike sucked. Hacker laughed, and I wanted to punch his ass. Fuck, I need a smoke. Quitting had gone great for a while. Then it went to shit when everything went down with Sera and I started again. This time I wanted to quit for her and Ty though. I wanted to be a good example to him.
“Shit, man, you act like you haven’t ridden in a year.”
If looks could kill, my glare would have fried his ass to a crisp as he continued to chuckle.
“Feels like it. ¡Chingados!”
“Pussy.”
“Dick.”
“What are you two bickering about?” We both looked up, and I watched with loathing as Gretchen sidled up to Hacker. As soon as she leaned against him, rubbing herself on him, I had to leave. He better not have turned to her nasty ass, ’cause that was something I refused to watch. Pretty confident he wouldn’t, I prepared to head outside by zipping up my coat, because fuck if I wanted her turning to me after he turned her down.
Before I got to the door, I called the next game of pool with the winner between Gunny and Soap. Gunny gave me a chin lift, and I knew it would be him. Not sure why I was gonna even try, because he was a freaking pool shark.
When I stepped outside, I saw Kassi getting out of her car. You could have knocked me over with a feather, but I didn’t show it. Damn, was he finally pulling his head out of his ass? She walked toward me, looking nervous as hell.
“Umm, hey, is Erik—umm, I mean Hacker here?”
I narrowed my eyes and tipped my head at her, trying to figure out if she knew who I was. I knew she had been dancing in a costume to prevent the whole community knowing how she had paid for school and to keep a roof over her and her brother’s heads. But I also realized she’d probably be embarrassed if she knew I knew already.
“Maybe. Who’s asking?” Damn, I hoped he realized what a good thing he had in her if he would just accept it. She was a sweet girl, and I’d known right away from the few interactions I had with her at the Shamrock that she wasn’t like a lot of the dancers there. This was one of the girls who was really just doing what she could to get by, not one of those career strippers who told everyone they were just stripping to get through nursing school. No, she really was.
“Could you tell him Kassi is here? It’s kind of important. I’m sorry, I hate to come here and bother him, but the guy at the gate said he thought it would be okay.” It was impossible not to smile at her. She really radiated goodness.
“No, it’s no problem at all.” Waving her toward the door, I cupped the end of my cigarette to light it with my Zippo the guys had gotten me before I left the team. “He was sitting at the bar just a minute ago.” Snapping the lighter closed, I took a deep drag and motioned again toward the door before I walked around to the side of the building out of the wind. Damn, it was bitter cold out.
As I stood there filling myself full of nicotine, I thought about the past month and how happy I’d been with Sera and Ty in my house. She and I hadn’t really discussed the details, but she was staying. Matter of fact, my neighbor was watching Ty today while she went over to the hospital in Spirit Lake to apply for an opening they had in their ER. Never thought this would be my life. I felt happier than I had in a long damn time.
After I finished with my smoke, I stubbed the end out on the metal edge of the building and stuffed it in my pocket. As good as my life was, I needed to make some changes to show the good karma fairies I appreciated it. Making a promise that it was my last, I pulled out the packet and dropped it in the trash as I pulled open the door.
Just as I was going inside, Kassi slammed into me, losing her balance. Without wasting a second, my hands wrapped around her upper arms to steady her. Tears were dropping off her lower lashes, and she looked like she was giving a valiant effort to hold in her anguish. Before I could ask her what happened, she pushed away, darted around me, and lurched through the door.
What the hell?
Looking at Hacker in surprise and confusion, my feelings quickly turned to disgust. That dumb motherfucker was holding Gretchen by the ass, and she was looking over her shoulder in my direction. AKA the same spot Kassi just vacated.
Asshole. He shoved her away after he saw me watching him. She sneered at him and stomped in my direction. Quickly moving out of her pathway because I didn’t want her even brushing up against me, I watched her push her way outside. Uncaring, I turned my back to her. Too bad I knew she hadn’t left for good.
No one wanted anything to do with her dumb ass anymore. Didn’t know why she still hung around here.
Moving up to stand behind my stupid-ass friend, I wanted to knock him upside his head. “What the fuck was that?” He didn’t even turn around to look at me.
In a monotone voice, he spouted, “No clue what you’re talking about.”
“Seriously? Kassi came to see you, and instead of talking to her, you chase her away. What the fuck, man?” My incredulous expression matched my thought processes. I didn’t understand him.
“I didn’t chase her away. I didn’t even talk to her.”
Well, I wonder why?
“No, you, who may I note never has a damn thing to do with any of the fucking skanks around here, just so happened to grab Gretchen’s ass as Kassi was coming in to talk to you. Total coincidence, right? I’m not buying it. You’ve become a real dumb fuck for someone who’s supposed to be so fucking smart.” Trying to get him to pay attention to what I was saying, I rested my arm on the edge of the bar and stood sideways looking at him. Obviously, he wasn’t interested in conversation. Especially one that was about Kassi. Dumbass.
“If that’s what you think.” Chugging the last of his whiskey, he jumped up from the stool without a glance in my direction. Then he shoulder-checked me and walked to his room, slamming the door. He was throwing away the best thing that ever happened to him, but hell if I could get him to see it.
Taking a swig of my beer Cammie had set before me, I sat at the bar watching the news that flashed across the screen behind the bar.
Vibrations had me looking at my phone where I set it on the bar. Seeing it was Sera, I smiled and answered. “Hey, baby girl. How’d it go?”
Cammie had just walked by and gave me a surprised look as she heard my words. Not like I was completely hiding Sera, but I wanted as few people to know about her as possible. Christian had called me earlier today and told me there had been a sighting of the asshole down in Mexico, but also on this side of the border too. If his ass stayed in Mexico, it would be the best thing he could do, because if he came up this way, his ass was mine.
Sera’s rush of breath made me nervous at first. Then she breathed my name and my dick twitched. God, I was a hot mess when it came to this girl. “I think it went really good! They told me they had a few other interviews scheduled but that I would hear from them one way or another by Friday. I hate to jinx myself, but I really think I got the job. Doesn’t hurt that they’re really shorthanded.”
“I’m sure you did great. If you don’t get it, I’ll go knock some heads together and change their mind.” Taking another drink of my beer, I tried not to laugh and spit it all over the bar.
“Don’t you dare, Kayde!” Her warning was couched in laughter, and the mere hint of her happiness warmed me from deep in my gut.
“Kidding, babe. Listen, I need to head into the shop. I have an appointment in about an hour. You wanna swing by?” It was the first time I’d asked her to come to the shop. I’d been so afraid for her. Afraid if she went out and about anywhere, that asshole would find out and swoop in to go after her again. Realizing it was dumb took me a while, but it was starting to sink in. Because I couldn’t keep her locked up in a cage for the rest of her life, she would only grow to hate me.
“Aw, really? I’d love to, but I have to get Ty, and then he’ll be ready for his nap. Aggie has a conference at her son’s school or I’d ask her to keep him a little longer. I’m not having our first visit to your shop be with him needing a nap. Your friends would think you hooked up with a crazy woman and her heathen child.”
“It’s okay, babe. Next time.” Maybe it was time to introduce her to everyone. I just couldn’t shake my worry, and I was also a little selfish and didn’t want to share my time with her with anyone. Maybe that made me a dick. “I’ll call you before I leave to head home tonight.”
As I hung up, Snow walked up and sat next to me at the bar.
“Hey, sexy, be a doll and hand me a bud.” His words were directed to Cammie, who he’d been shacking up with, but I couldn’t help but mess with him.
“Aw, sweetie, you know Cammie hates it when we go behind the bar. And you’re going to make her jealous if you keep talking to me like that in front of her.” Spinning my stool so I was facing his direction, I gave him a shit-eating grin.
“You little fucker. Kiss my ass. Little lady must be good for you. You’ve been a hell of a lot more pleasant since you brought her back. Your road name fits you now, instead of being an oxymoron.” He tried to hide his smile behind his beer, but I still saw it.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Any news about the cop?” Lip curling, I knew he was referring to Lawrence, her ex.
“Nothing concrete. Thanks for keeping this under wraps. I plan to tell everyone as soon as I know what’s going on.”
“Hey, it’s your business, bro. I think if your brothers knew, there would be more people looking out for your girl and her kid, but that’s your call. Just know that if you need anything, I’m here.” The sincerity in his eyes humbled me. This club had my back just like my unit had in the past, and it filled the void leaving the Corps left in me. Not a day since getting patched did I regret it.
“I know, I just don’t want to pull everyone into this. It’s not the club’s issue, and I don’t want them being targeted if shit goes tits up. Thanks again, Prez. I gotta run. Work calls.” Snow gave me a hug and squeezed my shoulder.
As I headed out, I told Gunny I’d have to take a raincheck. In typical Gunny fashion, he just gave me a nod and smiled. Dude could definitely be a man of few words.
Pulling up outside of my shop, I felt a massive feeling of pride sweep through me. All those deployments were good for something. Like I told Sera when she tried to argue with me about not letting her pay me for her Jeep, I earned the money with my own blood, sweat, and tears. Literally. Saving it up because I had nothing better to spend it on for all those years, I knew the day would come when I would find what I wanted to spend it on. I’d been cautious and thrifty all my life, but I would spend it the way I wanted.
There was one more thing I wanted to get, but I wasn’t pushing it with her, so I would bide my time. Soon, though.
Late Spring
Sera had gotten the job at the hospital. Only bad thing about that was that she always seemed to be working when we had a family get-together at the clubhouse. I still hadn’t told everyone about Sera and Ty, but today I had wanted to bring them and introduce them. Sighing, I told myself there’d be a next time.
Looking around at the people who I considered family, I had a sense of peace steal over me. Snow, Vinny, Gunny, and Butch were all sitting with cold beers in their hands shooting the shit. Reload and DJ, the prospects, were refilling the coolers with beer, soda, and juice packs for the kiddos. DJ hadn’t gotten patched when we planned because he had gone and joined the fucking National Guard and went away to basic training and AIT. He’d recently returned, so I hoped we could get him patched. Kid deserved it.
Hollywood and I were standing at the end of the bikes talking, and I was using my new E-cig. These things were a pain in the ass, but dammit, I’d been trying so hard to quit smoking. This was my third attempt in the past few months. It sucked so fucking bad. Thankfully, Sera and my brothers encouraged me anytime it got tempting. I couldn’t tell you how many times they told me I was doing great and it could take a while. Falling off the wagon sucked though. It made me feel weak.
Hacker pulled in, and we waved at him as he pulled up and backed into the end of the row. After he parked, he came over to give us a hug. It was a love and respect thing. We were family.
“Hey, bro, nice ride in, wasn’t it? Shit, this damn thing sucks. ¡Esta es una cagada!” Looking down at the E-cig with distaste, I shook it. “Fucking thing isn’t working. Be right back.” Digging through the little bag I had attached behind my seat, I pretended not to hear them laughing at my struggle. They were lucky I hadn’t tried to light this one too. Looking back on it, that actually was pretty damn funny.
I bullshitted with a few of the brothers before I made my way back over to Hacker. “No date today, Hacker?” Smirking at him, I could tell he wanted to punch me in the head.
“Fuck no. And where is your date, asshole?” he spat out. Fuck that hurt, but I laughed to cover it up. I needed to get Sera involved with everyone. I wanted her with me. I wanted to be able to show her off. But it worried me putting her out there. Last week I’d taken a quick trip back home because Christian had called and told me Lawrence had been seen in San Antonio, but then he disappeared again. It was really beginning to piss me off that the fucking cops couldn’t find one of their own who was a piece of shit. So I’d gone home to seek the help of the biker community with my uncle. Our chapter down there was already watching for the guy, and they’d done what they could, but he was still elusive as fuck. It made me wonder what kind of ties he had, and that was a little scary.
Hacker glared at me. “Don’t laugh, fucker. If you don’t have a woman stashed somewhere, then where the hell did you run off to last week? What the hell’s up with you?” His questions made me feel guilty, because I really did owe him an explanation.
I looked away and took a big drag of the shitty E-cig. It really was wrong that I hadn’t talked to Hacker about Sera, but he’d had his head so far up his own ass with Kassi that I didn’t want to put more on him.
Hollywood broke out in a giant grin, then shouldered me.
“What the fuck? You holding out on us, Joker? You and Hacker both. Being all fucking mopey and shit. If this is about some chick, we need to find you each a good woman and get you settled down.” Hollywood tipped up his beer, but his laughing eyes told me he knew he was hitting nerves.
“What the fuck ever.” Hacker snorted in disgust. “I don’t need anything.” He was so full of shit, but I wasn’t going to bust him out on it.
“Fuck.” The little voice rang out at a moment that seemed completely silent. Remi was sitting at a small table set up for the kids, with Reaper and Steph in chairs next to her. Reaper looked at Hacker and mouthed, “Really, fucker?” before he said, “Damn, man, y’all need to watch your fucking mouths. My little girl is copying your dumb asses.”
Steph turned wide and chastising eyes on him.
“Really, babe? Like you’re any better. Do you listen to yourself? That little girl will be able to cuss better than a sailor by the time she is in first grade!” We all groaned.
“No! No sailor talk! That’s blasphemy!” Hacker’s expression of indignation had all of us laughing.
“Man, shut the hell up. After all, you jarheads are just glorified sailors.” Hollywood snickered.
Hollywood and Hacker went back and forth for a little bit before a wrestling match ensued. Grown men acting like kids. Nah, I’m not above that. I loved it. I actually almost jumped in.
I’d gone to give Snow the little bit of updates I had about Sera, and when I came back, Hacker was holding Reaper and Steph’s little boy. I damn near fell over. “Well, fuck me. ¿Qué carajo?”
Everyone gave him shit until I guess he’d had enough. When he got up and told everyone he was out, I decided to follow. It was evident he was in a bad place, and Sera was still at work.
His pipes rumbled as he pulled out of the lot and onto the highway. Sumbitch was hauling ass, but he was no match for my V-rod. It wasn’t long before I was pulling up on him. He looked in one of his mirrors, then took a quick glance over his shoulder.
I pulled up next to him and we kept pace, following the road up into Minnesota. Handlebar to handlebar, we navigated the twists and turns of the road. As soon as we stopped, I needed to send Sera a message to let her know what was up. But damn this was peaceful, and I knew that was why Hacker had taken off. When shit got heavy, we would often ride—just the wind and the road. Our motto was it was the best therapy on God’s green Earth.
Hours had passed by the time we crossed back into Iowa. The sun was going down in a kaleidoscope-colored sunset just as we skirted Spirit Lake on 240th Avenue. Twinkling ahead were the lights of town. As we took the last curve at the south side of the lake and were approaching the turn to continue on 240th, I saw Hacker jump a little, but didn’t think much of it until I heard him yell something.
My eyes damn near popped out of my head when I saw blood running down his arm. That’s when I signaled for us to pull over, but no sooner had I made the motion and his back tire broke loose. I barely had time to slam on my brakes and swerve away before his bike started to roll.
My heart stopped in my chest when I saw him launch off his bike and roll God knew how far down the road. Parking on the side of the road to avoid all the scattered debris, I ran my ass down the road, screaming for Hacker.
No. No way. After everything we’d been through, I couldn’t lose him. Not like this.