Chapter 1 Skid
SKID
Fall was just starting to settle over the city in that moody way it always did.
The trees were just starting to turn burnt orange and crimson red, and while they were pretty and all, the weather was a real pain in the ass.
One day, it was sunny and warm, and the next, it was raining its ass off.
The air stayed crisp, and every breeze carried a little bite of winter.
Those sunny days were some of the best for riding. I went out on my Harley as often as I could, but most of my time was split between the casino and the Vault. My shifts were filled with security, deliveries, and quiet favors. I didn’t mind it. It helped keep my head straight.
But it wasn’t going all that well.
It was hard to find parts, and even when I did, they were high as hell.
Pop said I was wasting my time, but there was something about bringing that old girl back that steadied me.
I needed that today, so I headed out to the garage and got to work.
There were parts scattered all over my garage, and I wasn’t sure where I wanted to start.
I was thinking it through when the side door opened and Dad walked in.
“Hey, Pop. Didn’t know you were coming by. ”
“Wasn’t planning on it, but Luna wanted to see ya.”
He’d barely said her name when she popped her head inside the garage. She was wearing pink overalls, and her hair was braided into pigtails. She was all smiles as she made her way over to me and said, “Hey, Bub.”
“Hey there, Luna bug.” I stepped over and lifted her into my arms, giving her a quick squeeze. “How’s my girl doing?”
“Good.” She looked around the garage and grimaced. “You’re messy.”
“I’m working. You gotta be a little messy when you’re working.”
“Momma makes me clean up my mess.”
“Well, lucky for me, this is my garage, and I can have it as messy as I want to.” I gave her pigtail a quick tug, then sat her down on the tool counter. “I’ve got some work to do and could use Pop’s help. Why don’t you pop a squat right here and help supervise?”
“I wanna help, too.”
“You are helping.” I gave her a wink. “You’re supervising.”
She gave me a little pout, and I worried she was about to fuss when Pop took out his phone, and her pout disappeared the second he said, “How ‘bout you supervise while you play that game you like.”
“Okay.”
She started playing, and I shook my head. “You'd better watch it, or you’ll end up spoiling her.”
“Spoiled you, too, but you still ended up okay.”
“You spoiled me?” I scoffed. “Were we living in the same house?”
“You had a warm bed and a roof over your head, didn’t ya?”
I knew better than to argue, so I nodded and said, “Yeah, I did. Also had food on my plate.”
“That’s right. You sure did.” He gave me a fatherly slap on the shoulder. “Now, what are you working on today?”
“I was thinking about welding the gas tank and getting it prepped for sandblasting.” I crossed my arms as I looked around at all the parts scattered about. “Might check the rocker box, too.”
He grunted, which was his version of approval, and without asking, he picked up a wrench and got to work. “You got the media loaded?”
“I did.”
“Good.” He started removing the gas tank as he asked, “What about Larry? You get with him about painting?”
“Got it set up for next Friday.”
He nodded, and after that, the conversation faded away, and we just worked in the kind of silence that only comes when you trust the man working next to you. It was a good day. Rain on the roof, tools clinking, and an old country song playing on the radio. It didn’t get better than that.
We’d just finished welding the gas tank when Luna held up Pop’s phone and announced, “Momma’s calling.”
“You can answer.”
Pop and I stilled as we listened to her say, “Hey, Momma.”
She swung her little feet back and forth as she nodded and said, “Yes, we’re still here.”
There was a brief pause before she answered, “I’m playing on Pop’s phone.”
She um-hmm’ed and yeah’ed a few more times before she held out the phone and said, “Momma wants to talk to you.”
Dad reached over and took the phone from her hand, and there was a softness in his voice as he said, “Hey, babe.”
It had been almost a year since my dad and Jenna hooked up, and I was still surprised by the whole thing.
He was such a hard ass and never gave an inch, especially when it came to the club.
I didn’t think he had it in him to actually have an ol’ lady and love her the way he loved Jenna.
But he’d surprised me. Hell, he’d surprised us all.
I didn’t have anything close to what they had, and I wasn’t sure if I ever would.
I didn’t date much. I didn’t really have the time, or maybe I just didn’t have the patience for it.
Every now and then, I’d let a hang around warm my bed or spend a night with one of the girls from the Vault, but nothing ever came of it.
The brothers gave me a hard time about it.
They’d say I was too young to be acting like an old man, and I should be with a woman instead of spending my nights alone working.
Maybe they were right. But the truth was, I liked the quiet.
I liked the ease of doing what I wanted when I wanted, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to give that up.
“We’ve gotta get going,” Pop announced, pulling me from my thoughts.
“No problem. I appreciate the help.” I glanced over to Luna and smiled, “Great job supervising today.”
Luna nodded, and the second Pop lifted her from the counter, she slipped her arms around his neck. The kid loved him. There was no doubt about that. Pop started for the door, and just before walking out, he announced, “I’ll be back tomorrow to help with the sandblasting.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can. I’ll be here just the same.”
With that, they both walked out. It wasn’t long before I heard Pop’s truck door slam shut, and his engine sputtered to life.
Seconds later, I heard him back out, and then, they were gone.
I leaned against the workbench and took a quick look around.
Luna was right. The place was a mess. I spent some time cleaning up, and when I checked the time, it was after seven.
I had to be at the Vault by eight, and I was cutting it close.
If I didn’t haul ass, I’d be late for my shift.
I shut everything down and headed inside for a shower.
I didn’t bother shaving. Folks at the Vault would be too busy watching the girls on the stage to give a shit about me or whether I’d shaved or not.
I got dressed, and after I put on my boots and cut, I was on my way.
The weather was still rough, so I had no choice but to drive the truck.
I got behind the wheel, and a half an hour later, I was pulling up to the Vault.
As soon as I walked through the door, I was hit with the smell of perfume, whiskey, and too much cologne, and I knew I was in for a long one.
And I was spot on.
It was barely eight o’clock, and the place was a fucking zoo.
The tables were slammed, and the girls were busy trying to fill all the drink orders.
I wasn’t sure where I was needed, so I pushed my way through the crowd and made my way over to Seven.
He was behind the bar, scanning the crowd like he was waiting for someone to fuck up.
His eyes were still trained on the floor when I walked over and asked, “Where do you need me tonight?”
“Private lounges.” He slid a couple of drinks over to one of the waitresses as he added, “We’ve had some issues with some guys getting too handsy. You know how I feel about that shit.”
“Yeah. I feel the same.”
“Need you to shut that shit down. If anyone crosses the line, kick their asses out and ban ‘em.”
“You got it.”
With that, I turned and headed to the back hallway. I stood between the two main rooms and watched as the girls led men in and out of there like clockwork. I got it. They were eager to make their dollar, and it was my job to make sure they made it without any hassle. And I did just that.
I couldn’t believe it. I’d actually made it through a Saturday night without a single altercation. That was a new one for me. There was usually an asshole who couldn’t keep his hands to himself or a drunken brawl that I’d have to tend to, but tonight, I got off easy. We all did.
When the lights came on, I headed back out front and helped Seven and the girls shut things down for the night. We wiped down the tables, and by the time we’d put up all the chairs, I was running on fumes and ready to call it a night. The girls had just started filing out when Cat came over to me.
She was dangling her heels over her shoulder and sporting a sexy smile. “You got any plans for the night?”
“Nah, I’m about to head to the house.”
“You want some company?”
“As tempting as that might be, I’m gonna have to pass tonight, doll.” I gave her a smile as I added, “I’m beat. How about a raincheck?”
“Sure thing, handsome.”
She gave me a wink, then followed the rest of the girls out the front door.
I watched to make sure they all got out to their cars without any trouble.
Once they started driving off, Seven and I locked up and headed out.
The rain had been light earlier. It was just enough to make the roads slick, but the second I stepped outside, the sky opened up.
“Perfect,” I grumbled as I jogged out to my truck.
By the time I got in and yanked the door closed, my shirt and jeans were plastered to my skin. I dragged my hand through my soaked hair, and water dripped down my hands as I let out a groan. I shook my head and let out a few curses before starting the engine and driving towards the house.
I was tired, wet, and ready to get home.
But I’d soon discover that my long night was far from over.