Chapter 4 It’s Not Free, Fucker. #2
Lulu sidled up to me as I finished. “Don’t look now.
The sexiest men alive just walked through the front door.
” She was almost as bad as a man. It didn’t bother me, and most of the time I laughed as long as we weren’t in the dining room.
She was harmless but flighty, and I had a feeling that if I gave Lulu an inch, she’d try to take a mile, and I wasn’t sure I had that kind of energy.
“They might be hot to look at, but no man is worth the trouble.” I chuckled.
“If Aces wanted to tie me up, I’d let him.
” She smirked, bumping her hip into mine.
“There’s six of them, so I’ll set two four-toppers up, but you should be alright to serve.
We just won’t give you another table until they’re gone.
You’re welcome.” She winked at me before sashaying out the kitchen door.
Washing my hands, I grabbed silverware before heading to the dining room.
My smile was in place, but as I crossed the threshold, I froze.
Sitting near the middle of the large table was the biker I’d left in the dust. Across from him was Aces, who’d taken my car to the garage yesterday for repairs.
Why the fuck does this shit always happen to me?
It had never crossed my mind that they knew each other.
My stomach dropped as more realizations came flying at me.
Angelica had called Aces. She might not have been part of their club, but she was comfortable enough calling them for help.
Should I run? Fear clouded my judgement, but I didn’t want anyone to see weakness.
They’d never let me live it down—I’d learned that from experience.
I plastered a fake smile on my face and forced my feet to move until I reached the biker sitting at the end closest to me.
He was bald, with the bluest eyes I’d ever seen buried beneath wire-rimmed glasses.
I didn’t know his name, but he was reading the menu as I approached.
If I wanted to keep my distance, he seemed like the safest bet.
Taking a quick breath, I introduced myself. “Hello, I’m Roxy, and I’ll be your waitress for lunch.” I smiled, giving myself an imaginary pat on the back. So far, so good, I thought as I started placing the silverware on the tables at their elbows.
“Be nice. She’s new.” Lulu winked at me as she ran past, running food towards the front of the dining room.
“She spits rocks pretty well,” the biker from the side of the road commented drily. Our eyes met across the table. “Don’t ya, Roxy?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Only at men old enough to be my daddy.” I didn’t know why that was the first thing that popped into my mind. The table went silent, and even if they got me fired, it would have been worth it just to see the stunned expression on his face.
The man at the far end with the dark, shoulder-length hair laughed, and everyone else followed suit. “I like her,” he said.
“You would, Scorp. Lay off.” Angelica appeared, standing next to the bald-headed biker. She placed her hand on the back of his chair, confirming she was comfortable with them. “Lulu’s right. Be nice to this one. We’re trying to keep her.”
“She’s temporary. Right, Rox?” I could feel the tire changer’s eyes following me as I moved around the table, but when he called me Rox, I stopped.
“Ro-xy,” I corrected automatically. “Someone needs to sew your names into your club cuts. No one wants to be mistaken for Prick.” I let the insult roll off my tongue, returning his gaze.
Neither of us looked away as another round of laughter floated around the table.
If I was getting fired, I was going out with a bang.
“Roxy.” He smirked. His handlebar mustache twitched at the ends, but I thought it was weird when he stroked his pointed beard.
I quickly worked the rest of the table, and when I stood next to Angelica, I asked if I could bring them something to drink.
They rattled off beers in no particular order, and I wanted to tell them they’d have to do better if they were trying to test me.
I made an excuse, saying I’d be back to take their food order, before heading towards the register furthest from them. I needed a minute to calm down.
Angelica stepped up next to me. “How do you know Cactus?” she whispered.
“That’s his name?” I swiped at one of my bangs, not surprised. “I had car trouble on the way here, and he stopped to help.” While nothing had happened when he’d changed my tire, I didn’t want to be involved in a lover’s quarrel.
“He did what?” Her mouth puckered as if she couldn’t believe what I was telling her.
“He stopped and changed my tire, but I took off before he could look under the hood. I wasn’t about to become a statistic in the middle of the desert.” I tried to explain as best as I could without jeopardizing my job.
“I would have, too.” She laughed. “The daddy comment was priceless, though.”
“Thanks, but I’ll do better. It slipped off my tongue a little too easily, but I don’t want any trouble.
” I had just dumped trouble off at a gas station in Williams, and this was supposed to be the relaxation period before I made huge life decisions.
I side-stepped her, heading to the bar, but she stopped me, reaching out to grab my arm.
“If it were anyone else but those assholes, I’d care. Try not to make a habit of engaging with them, or they’ll never stop.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes as she walked away.
Angelica didn’t give me enough time to reassure her.
I’d been around enough motorcycle clubs on this trip that I was well aware they were all the same.
The men acted like Neanderthals, and the women were supposed to be grateful for the attention.
No, thanks. I wouldn’t have a problem walking away when my time here was done.
At least, that was what I kept telling myself when Cactus’s eyes burned holes into my back as I moved from the register to the bar.