4. Raven
Chapter four
Raven
A couple of days later, I’m sitting at Orpheus waiting for Naomi to finish up at work. She wants to ride with me to the race tonight, so I told her I’d pick her up.
“Girl, are you almost done? You know I like to be there early.” I remind her, pacing the office. I don’t know why my nerves always get the best of me, but here we are, pacing a hole in the damn floor.
“Yeah, let me finish this last thing and then we can go.” She replies as she types away on her computer, not even looking my way.
“You still got your helmet right?” I stop in my tracks. I refuse to let her ride with me without one.
“Duh, I made sure to have one here and one at your house, just in case.” She answers. Finishing up whatever she was doing, she finally stands and we walk out of the office, seeing Eddie as we head out.
“Have a good night girls and be safe. Make sure to leave those assholes in your dust.” He says with a laugh which makes us chuckle.
“Oh, don’t you worry, I don’t plan on losing any time soon. However, did you know that your buddy Luis races?” Raising a brow at him in question. He just smirks.
“Of course I knew, that’s one reason I sent you to them. Other than the fact that they know what the hell they are doing. Only the best for my girls.” He replies with a playful tone. This man, always a step ahead of knowing everything. Naomi speaks up,
“Okay uncle Eddie, we gotta go or she will be late. We love you, we’ll be safe, she’ll kick ass, and we’ll see you later!” She rattles off, laughing as she hugs him. I head to Eddie and do the same, laughing with her as we turn to leave. Walking to the garage, I toss her helmet at her and grab mine, making sure our headsets are linked before we get on the bike.
Starting it up, she taps my leg twice for me to know she’s ready. Pulling out, I hear Vigilante Shit by Taylor Swift blast through the headset and I instantly know Naomi is getting me in my zone. Bestie knows me too well.
Pulling up to where we’re meeting on the outskirts of town, I stop and let Naomi off. Taking her helmet off, she smirks,
“Kick their asses bitch. Leave them in your dust.” She slaps the back of my bike as I pull up to the starting line, blowing a kiss my way as she walks off. I hear a few more bikes come up while I’m sitting here waiting. I like to get here early so I can get my adrenaline pumping. Turning around, I realize I don’t know any of these guys, Not until the one on a black and red R1 lifts his visor and I lock on a pair of hazel eyes.
It’s Luis. Damn, guess he wasn’t playing about racing me tonight. He shoots me a wink that pulls me from my thoughts. I give him a two-finger salute and turn to face the starting line, flipping my visor down and kicking up the stand. A blonde chick walks in front of the line and waves a white flag in the air. She brings it up one more time before dropping it to the ground and we all take off.
Taking the lead, I catch a glimpse of Luis in my mirror to my left not too far behind me. This race is set up like a track, one big loop as it circles back to the start. We make it halfway down when I realize another rider to my right is coming up alongside me. Making it to the first curve, I drop a gear to slow down and lean into it.
Once I’m straight again, I throw her into sixth gear and take off, leaving everyone behind. Adrenaline pumps through me as I get ready to make it to the finish line.
Coming around the last curve, everyone on the sidelines comes into view and I can see Naomi jumping up and down.
Revving as I pass the finish line, I start slowing down. Glancing back, Luis is definitely farther behind than I thought, and everyone else coming up after him. Turning the bike around, I pull up close to the sidelines where Naomi is, along with the rest of the crowd. Running up to me, she cheers,
“Yes, bitch! I knew you’d have this in the bag. However, that guy on the black and red bike got close a couple of times.” I laugh, taking off my helmet.
“That guy is Reyes' brother, Luis. He only got close because I let him.” I step off the bike and catch the “what the fuck?” look on her face.
“Holy shit, really? Damn girl.” She gasps. I can’t help but laugh again.
“Yeah, when they told me a few days ago that he raced, I didn’t know he would be that good. Still not good enough to beat me, though.” I chuckle.
The blonde chick we all gave money to at the beginning walks up, congratulates me as she hands me my winnings, and walks off. Caught up in trying to come down from the adrenaline rush, Naomi leans in and whispers,
“Since I don’t know what the brothers look like I’m not sure it’s actually them. But, considering they look a lot alike, I’m gonna take a wild guess and say the brothers are coming.” I turn around, and sure enough, Reyes and Luis are walking this way. Lord help me.
“Well, I guess tonight will be the night you get to meet them then.” I turn and whisper back to her.
Reyes walks up and is the first to speak,
“Damn, Raven. I didn’t know you’d beat my brother like that. However, you looked hot as hell out there racing.” He states with that sexy smirk again.
Before I get a word out, Luis chimes in, “I’ll admit it, you definitely handed me my ass.” He definitely doesn’t seem too happy he lost.
“Well, it's my pleasure to beat you.” I brag and curtsy. Yes I’ll forever be a smartass. Grinning, I add, “Also, Reyes, Luis, this is my best friend Naomi. We were just about to go get food.”
Naomi cuts in and asks, “Would y’all like to join?”
“Sure, we were planning to grab something anyway. Why not do it together? Then maybe I will get the best friend's approval to see you again.” Reyes quips while never breaking eye contact with me. I can’t help but let out a laugh.
“Well, Naomi rode with me so I’ll let y’all pick the place and we’ll just follow.” I get on my bike and Naomi gets on after. Do I hate picking a place to eat? Yes. Following them to the parking area, I notice Reyes has the same bike as Luis, just his is blacked out.
We all drive side by side for about thirty minutes until we pull up to a restaurant not far from my house. Walking in, we sit in a corner booth away from everyone else. With it being late, they aren’t super busy. An older lady comes up to take our orders. Naomi and I both order sliders with fries, and the guy's order hamburgers and chocolate shakes. Naomi is the first to speak. Thank God, because the silence was getting borderline awkward.
“So, how do you know Eddie? Might as well ask now since we will find out either way, I’m sure.” She states in her sarcastic tone. Alright, serious questions first. They look at her, then look at me. I just clasp my hands on the table waiting to hear their answer. They probably wonder how much we already know. Oh, but I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they find out we run shit too. Luis hesitates, but whispers low enough that only we can hear.
“Hmmm, we just fix bikes, have for years now. What about y'all?” He just shrugs and gives a mocking grin. Naomi and I share a questioning glance. Do I feel like all they do is work on bikes? No. I whisper back before Naomi can.
“We basically run the businesses with Eddie and Zeke. I’m more into the dirty work, and Naomi, let’s just say she keeps everyone else in line.” Glancing at them, I try to read their reaction as they look at one another. Naomi chimes in between handfuls of fries.
“Keeping everyone in line is harder than it looks. Everyone tries to suck ass because I’m the boss’s niece. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We love our job. I only worry about a few people, and you're definitely at the top of that list.” She states while looking at me. Reyes and Luis raise a brow, Luis being the one to answer Naomi’s question as he notices her eyes on me.
“Why do you worry about her so much?” He questions, and I reply before Naomi can.
“Let’s just say my side of the job is a lot more brutal and bloody. Sometimes I come home with an extra bruise or two.” I whisper while shrugging.
Changing the subject, we all start talking about less serious topics. Once we’re all done eating, we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways. I drop Naomi at the gym to get her car and make sure she leaves safely, then head home.
Parking in the garage, I hang up my jacket and helmet. Walking through the door and upstairs, I put the money from my win tonight in my closet safe and grab a quick shower before bed. Putting my sleep clothes on, I lay in bed and reach for my phone, realizing I have three unread messages. Opening the one from Naomi first.
Naomi: Hey bitch, did you make it home safe? Just got home and showered. Going to bed. See you tomorrow. FYI if those brothers become your new boy toys… I 100% approve. ?? loveee you! night ??
Me: Did I really need your approval? ?? love you too, bitch. Also, yes I made it home, showered and I’m going to bed too. See you tomorrow ????
Closing her message thread and opening the next, I see it’s Reyes.
Reyes: You make it home, Little Devil? You going to tell me more about what you do? Or do you just like to get bloody? I can arrange that if so. ??
Me: So many questions. Maybe one day I’ll go into detail, or maybe I just like to get bloody. ?? Guess we will find out. And yes, I made it home.
Reyes: I’ll take you up on that one day, Raven. Real soon. ?? I won’t be taking it easy on you either.
He definitely knows how to work a girl up. The last message is a number not saved in my phone.
Unknown: It’s Luis. I got your number from Reyes' phone. I know you have a race tomorrow too, but what else do you have planned?
Me: Ahhh, so didn’t want to ask me for my number? Just assume I want to talk to you? Yes, I have a race tomorrow. Also, I’m not sure about any other plans. I have to go to the gym for practice, then it’s up to Eddie.
Luis: There is no assumption. I could have asked, but would you have given it to me without all the attitude? ?? Didn’t think so. Well, if Eddie doesn’t have plans for you, come hangout at the shop tomorrow before your race.
Me: Sure, I’ll come hangout… if I’m not too busy.
Closing my texts out, I plug my phone in, roll over and drift off to a dreamless sleep.