Chapter Two
Eddie
The roar of motorcycles invades the shop as a group of men in matching leather cuts cruise down the road past the building.
Fuck, I’d give my left nut to be a part of a club like that.
A powerful hand claps me on the back as my father comes to a stop next to me, following my trail of vision. “Seems like you’re getting the itch,” he says with a smile. “I got it too, Son.”
“Yeah, but you actually ride, Dad. I’m still trying to save up for my own bike. All I have is that beat-up Chevy you gave me when I got out of Juvie, and these stupid pipe dreams of me being able to ride one day.”
He blinked, but only one eye moved.
My father started going blind in his right eye about two years ago.
My mother joked that it was to keep him from looking at other women, but it was because he messed with the wrong person and they poured chemicals into his eye.
Just one eye though, the bastard was gracious enough to give him at least partial vision after my father refused to pay him what he was owed.
It should’ve kept him from riding, but my father gets on his bike every damn day, stating that it was a man’s natural calling to become one with the road.
That’s the kind of freedom I want. The ability to hop on a bike and not have to worry about if it’s going to break down at every stop sign. I just wish Amber were more supportive of it. Motorcycles terrify her.
“Tell you what, Eddie. How about you and me make a deal? Once you and Amber are settled down and married, I’ll help you get your own bike, and we can start a club together.
I can see the twinkle in your eyes every time those damn Raging Misfits ride past here, and you and I both know I love to ride.
That’s why I know this is the next step for us.
You’re already working towards your dream of owning your own business, so creating a motorcycle club would be the next logical step in getting you there.
I used to be in one back in the day, but after I had you, I had to get out, knowing it was the only way I could protect you and your mother.
Now that you’re grown, you’re old enough to protect yourself.
Hell, you can even invite your friends to join.
God knows, you and those assholes are practically attached at the hip. ”
Rich and Wesley pick that exact moment to walk up to us. Rich is doing his best to hide his scarred face behind a mop of shaggy brown hair, while Wesley throws a wrench up on his shoulder, standing between us like he owns the shop.
“What are we talking about?” Wesley questions, being his nosy self.
“Dad wants to start a motorcycle club after Amber and I walk down the aisle. He says I have the itch.”
“Jock itch, maybe,” Wesley jokes.
“Shut up. At least it’s better than that STD Olivia gave you last year.”
His smile falters slightly. “How was I supposed to know that the bitch got around? Sure, I met her while cruising the strip, but she looked like a nice STD free girl. Besides, I’m clean now, so stop rubbing it in my face.
Seriously though, Pops, aren’t you a little old to be starting a motorcycle club? ”
Dad laughs. “You’re never too old to start a club, Wesley. Besides, you three keep getting yourselves into trouble; might as well have a purpose behind it.”
Wesley rolls his eyes. “You steal one car, and suddenly you’re a criminal.”
“You are a criminal, asshole.”
“Yeah, well, so are you, Eddie, or did you forget about the guy you put in the hospital after he dared to touch Amber. Or the fact that you were the one who fucking hot-wired the car for me. I’m just the one who drove the wheels off it until it ended up in that ditch.”
Rich grins. “Damn, that was a really good night.”
“Until we ended up in Juvie,” I remind him.
He nods. “Yeah, until then. Hopefully, that’s the last we see of it. Anyway, what are we talking about here? We just gonna buy some bikes and ride around and call ourselves a club?”
Dad nods his head. “Something like that. There’s a lot more to it than that. We need a good group of men to form the senior members, and then we gotta establish rules and regulations. It’s a lot of hard work, but I think you boys are up to the challenge.”
“I’m guessing that means you’ll be president or whatever they call it,” I say with a laugh.
He pulls on his overall straps, and grins. “Well, it was my idea. Don’t worry, I’ll make you VP, and even give these two idiots pretty good titles too.”
“I think you’re being delusional, Dad.”
“Say that to me after you’ve been on a bike for the first time, Eddie. I’m pretty sure you’ll change your tune.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I frown when I see I have two text messages, both from women who are not my fiancée.
Jinafer: Hey cutie, long time no talk. Just wanted to see how you’ve been. Heard you were engaged or some bullshit like that. Sounds awful. You should call me when you realize you’re too young to get married.
This one is an easy text to reply to. This bitch just doesn’t take a hint.
Me: Fuck off, Jinafer. Call someone who cares. Lose my fucking number.
Jinafer: ?? Playing hard to get. I like it. You know your asshole side only turns me on, Eddie. The offer still stands. Call me when you’re done playing house.
Wesley peeks over my shoulder and rolls his eyes. “Is that Jinafer bitch still all over your jock? Damn, dude, what the fuck did you do to her?”
“Nothing that I haven’t regretted since the day it happened. That girl is all boobs and trouble, and I almost lost Amber because of her.”
“How did Amber take it when you told her about it?” Rich questions, his voice softening just a tad.
“Not well. She’s at least forgiven me for it. I think. But we’re kinda fighting right now because I told her not to go to Vegas with Pippa and Poppy, and she still fucking went.”
Wesley’s eyes lit up the second I said Poppy’s name. The man’s had a major crush on her since the seventh grade, but never has had the gonads to ask her out. She wouldn’t say yes, anyway. There’s a stick shoved up that girl’s ass nobody can dislodge.
“It’s just Vegas, Eddie. It’s not like Amber is going to do something stupid. She loves you, man.”
Turning my phone toward him, I show him Pippa’s message.
Pippa: Hey, you may want to be at Amber’s house when we get back. Some shit went down that you should know about.
“That girl has it bad for you too, Eddie. Be careful with that one. I know you’re friends and all, but I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She doesn’t have your best interest at heart.”
“At least she’s honest with me, which is more than I can say for Amber. She sprung this whole girl’s trip on me without warning, and when I told her she couldn’t go, she left the next fucking day.”
Rich made a tsking sound with his mouth. “You’re in way too deep with that girl, Eddie. You need to let some stuff go and trust her. Amber’s a good girl; she would never do anything to hurt you or your relationship.”
“I wish I could believe that, Rich, but I woke up with a pit in my stomach this morning. The last time I felt something like that was when I cheated on Amber with Jinafer and couldn’t look her in the eye.
Something fucking happened. I feel it in my bones.
I’m going to be there when she gets home, even if I have to break into her house myself. ”
Rich kicks some shop dust toward the open doorway. “Their spare key is hidden in a rock in one of their plants outside.”
“How the fuck do you know that?” I growl, my jealousy appearing like magic.
“Because I’m friends with Poppy too. And unlike fuckhead over here, she actually enjoys my company.”
“Yeah, yeah. At least I’m not permanently friend zoned like you are, Richie.”
Rich and I both laugh. “No, what you’re in is way worse, Wesley. You’re in the no-go zone. As in there’s no fucking way you’ll ever go anywhere near her zone.”
Wesley points the wrench at my face, glaring like he actually thinks he can take me on. “I have a wrench in my hand and I’m not afraid to use it, Eddie.”
Before I can respond, Dad moves between us, forcing us back to reality. “Alright, that’s enough out of all of you. You two, get back to work, these cars aren’t going to repair themselves.”
“What about Eddie?” Wesley whines.
Dad turns toward me. “I need you to run into town and pick up some parts. Here’s the list. Don’t fuck around too long. I need you back here and working within the hour.”
“Got it.”
Wesley and Rich get right back to work, but my father doesn’t let me leave just yet.
He leers at me with his one good eye and sighs.
“Do me a favor and don’t do anything stupid tonight, Eddie.
I know you love this girl, but don’t let yourself get so wrapped up in love it consumes you.
Be kind to her and listen to what she has to say.
I’ve seen the way you are with her. You’re not always the nicest. If you want to keep a girl like Amber around, you need to start treating her better, Son.
She deserves more than the mediocre attention you’ve been giving her lately.
That light you had every time you looked at her, is gone.
I don’t know if it’s because of you coming clean about straying on her, or maybe you’re just getting cold feet, but if you plan on marrying this girl, at least treat her like you love her. ”
My parents have been married for almost thirty-five years, their relationship is what I want mine and Amber’s mirrored after.
But it’s hard to mirror perfection when you’ve already shattered the glass.
I know I fucked up when I slept with Jinafer like I did, and I live with that guilt every damn day because of it.
“Alright, Dad. I’ll try. Thanks for the pep talk.”
He shrugs. “It’s not like it worked,” he says, laughing just a tad. “Just remember what I said, okay?”
“I will.”
He hands me the list and pushes me toward the door. “Be back in one hour.”
“I will, jeesh.”
He keeps his good eye on me until I reach the car, then disappears inside to yell at Wesley some more.
Before I go on my run, I shoot a text back to Pippa.
Me: Is there something I should know?
Pippa: You know I can’t tell you that, Eddie. Just be at the house around nine p.m., okay?
Closing up my phone, I don’t even bother responding. That pit of dread is back, and this time it feels like it wants to take me out for good.
I know I don’t deserve Amber’s loyalty, but I swear to God, if she did something in Vegas, I’ll never forgive her.
Nobody touches Amber but me.