Swerve Chapter 5 #2
The club had worked with him, and in the end, a stable was built and the horses were brought to the compound.
All of us had ridden at times, but for me, being on the back of a horse was as close to feeling the freedom and wind in my face as riding a bike.
Some people thought it would be impossible for a paraplegic to ride, but they were wrong.
I’d discovered through equine therapy that there were many benefits for me other than freedom.
The movements of a horse were a combination of invigorating and relaxing. I wasn’t galloping, but the walking and the way I sat, plus the horse’s three-dimensional movements, helped to relieve cramps. I might not have sensations like I did, but the cramps in my legs and my torso were bad at times.
If you had an equine therapist, they could help by using their hands to move the rider’s pelvis.
This movement caused the muscles to relax and tense.
There were a variety of movements that not only relieved pain but also helped improve muscle tone, coordination, posture, balance, and overall strength.
That was without the positive psychological impact it had.
I’d learned so much about it from Cowboy. He had an interest in the subject and had conducted extensive research, as well as taken classes on it. He knew enough to run an equine therapy program. I’d been after him for a long time to do it.
“No, I’m not through riding, though I know it’s been a while since I got to see the gang. I’ll go down tomorrow and see them. I’m staying tonight. I’ll make sure to take treats for leaving them alone for so long. Work has been crazy lately.”
“I thought that maybe since ya got a dog the size of a horse, ya no longer needed mine.” Cowboy grinned.
I laughed. “Yeah, that’s it. When you open your equine therapy program, I was going to suggest you hire Dozer to be one of your mounts,” I joked.
Cowboy broke out chuckling. His laughter and my grin gained the attention of our secretary, Thunder. He came over to us.
“What’s got you two laughing? Gotta share,” Thunder demanded.
“We don’t share with anyone who comes up to us without a beer or somethin’ to drink in his hand to share,” Cowboy told him. He had a slight Southern drawl. He always wore a cowboy hat even when he rode his bike. He pushed it back a little as he mockingly glared at Thunder.
“Hey, no need to give me shit eye. The bar is right there. Come on, you old Complaining Cathies.”
We grinned as we followed Thunder to the bar.
Behind it tonight, or for the moment, was Darian.
He was the most experienced of the prospects.
He’d been with us close to a year and a half.
He came to our attention when we acquired a tattoo shop where he worked.
He was the main reason the club made the offer after seeing his work.
It was a while after we bought it before we talked him into prospecting.
He looked good to get his patch by the end of the year.
We gave him our orders. Watching him fill them, I thought of the changes we’d had in the past year in prospects.
Liam had to leave before he got his patch.
He was on the verge of making the cut, but an illness in his family required him to return to his hometown.
The last update we had was that he was prospecting for a club similar to ours near his hometown.
Along with Liam, Zax had been a fellow prospect with him.
Zax had stayed and made the cut, becoming our newest club brother.
His road name was Toretto. He was named after his driving skills, which reminded us of a movie character.
With Liam gone and Zax moved up, Darian was alone, so about the time Liam left, we brought on Boden.
He was overall quiet, but he did his work and kept his mouth shut.
He wasn’t very talkative. He’d been here nine months.
“Here you go. Can I get you anything else?” Darian asked.
“Nah, this should do it. Thanks,” Thunder told him.
Thunder carried my beer even though I had a holder on my wheelchair. I never took two working hands for granted anymore. We got ourselves situated at an empty table.
When that was finished, Thunder demanded, “Okay, you’ve got something to wet your whistle. Tell me what the laughter was about.”
Wanting to fuck with him, I waved my hand dismissively and told him, “You know, a little of this and a little of that.” I took a swallow of my drink while he sputtered.
“I can’t believe you bastards. You’re not getting off that easily. Don’t make me beat it out of you.” Thunder growled and acted menacingly.
“I dare ya to try something on ole Swerve here. I wanna see how long it takes Dozer to be over here and eatin’ your stupid ass up.” Cowboy smirked.
“Fine, then you’ll take the beating for both of ya. You’ll think you’ve gotten hold of the horn of a bull again,” Thunder told Cowboy.
Cowboy slapped the table and chuckled as he said, “Maybe gettin’ a hold of the nubbins on a calf, but that’s all.”
I listened to them squabble for a couple of minutes before they got tired of it, and Cowboy answered for us.
“I was askin’ Swerve if he wasn’t comin’ back to the stable to ride anymore? I figured he could ride Dozer. The horses are missin’ him.”
Thunder laughed over the riding Dozer part. I grinned and rolled my eyes.
“And what has he used as his excuse for not coming out? Or did he decide to use Dozer as a horse?” Thunder asked.
I flipped him off as I chimed in, “No, I won’t ride the dog.
As for my excuse, things have been hectic between Recovery and my main job, so I haven’t had time to come out and do it.
Things are smoothing out on both fronts, so it should free up time.
When I get done working, I’m too tired to ride out here, and it’s dark when I get done with whatever I’m doing. ”
“You know how you can fix that, don’t you?” Thunder asked.
“How?” I automatically replied.
“By letting us build you a house out here with the rest of us. We’re not that horrible to be around,” Scorpion’s deep voice interjected from behind me.
I turned my neck to give him a raised eyebrow. “Maybe some aren’t, but I know what you’re like.”
He punched my shoulder lightly, then leaned against the table next to me. I knew, based on his smirk, he was about to try to get me in trouble.
“Fine, I’ll just go tell Paige that you don’t want to live near her and Fenrir. She’s been crying over how you abandoned her. I told her it was only temporary, but maybe not.”
He eased away from the table. I stared at him.
“You take another step away from this table, and I’ll run your ass over with my chair, then have Dozer come sit on your head and smother you.
You will not tell my Dragon Lady that lie.
I’d love being nearer to her and Fenrir.
The problem is I’ve got to find a reason to do it that outweighs putting me closer to you. ”
Instead of smarting off like usual, Scorpion got a smug look on his face. A look that told me he knew something I didn’t.
“What’s that look for? What are you up to?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” he answered, and then he walked off whistling.
“He’s messin’ with you,” Cowboy said.
“I don’t think he is. That look is his, I’m gonna shock you, look,” I asserted.
“I’m not sure if he is or not. It could go either way with our VP,” Thunder mused.
All three of us were following Scorpion with our eyes. He went to the table where Paige and Jauhnna were. While I’d been talking, Diablo had joined them with Chasin. Whatever my best friend was saying, he had our president nodding and the women smiling.
After a good minute, I broke. “I’m going over and seeing what he’s hiding. Catch you guys later.”
“Go for it. If you want help beating it out of him, call us,” Thunder suggested, then winked.
I got my chair out from under the table. I was moving toward the table holding my two best friends when Scorpion and Diablo stood together and faced the rest of the room. Diablo gave a loud yell. “Quiet!”
It was effective in gaining everyone’s attention and reducing the racket to a murmur. I saw Paige and Jauhnna get up and stand next to their guys, with their arms around them. Both men smiled down at the women for a moment, then glanced back up.
“Since you’re all here, we decided it was a good time to let you know what’s changing around here,” Diablo started. His words caused a rustle of movement, and glances were exchanged.
“Pres is right. Now, it won’t affect everyone the same, but without a doubt, we’ll all feel it in different ways,” Scorpion followed.
“VP is right. As many of you know and have asked, Jauhnna hasn’t been feeling well lately…” Diablo paused. My heart skipped. Surely, he wasn’t about to say she was seriously ill. God, I hoped not.
“What I mean is, she’s had to miss work and not do as many things as before. The reason is that we’re expecting another baby. She’s twelve weeks along. We wanted to get through the first trimester before we said anything,” Diablo proclaimed with a proud smile on his face.
Everyone began shouting congratulations while Pres kissed Jauhnna passionately. It took several minutes before it died down, and they were no longer in a lip lock.
We were all happy for them. Meeting Jauhnna and the family they had made together, and were adding to, had changed Diablo in so many ways, and they were all for the better, in my book. As people moved toward them, Diablo held up his hand, and they froze.
“We’re not done yet. VP, you take this next part,” Diablo said.
“He’s right. There’s more. Since Pres is going to be spending more time with his old lady and kids, it’s up to me to pick up the slack. However, I’m asking for your help on that end. I’m not able to do it.”
When Scorpion paused, I frowned. He should have no reason why he couldn’t pick up the slack. The only reason why he couldn’t was if Paige… My eyes widened a moment before Scorpion continued.