Chapter 1 #2
This place was an actual bar for years and years.
After Stud retired from the military, he built the garage for another revenue source to support his family.
Honey and her brother grew up turning wrenches right beside him.
When he joined the Hellions MC, he started in a different charter and simply drove from Salemburg to everything that club had going on.
Over time, everyone saw the need for a Salemburg charter and Stud stepped up as President once Roundman approved the chapter.
Knowing sometimes the Hellions, any one of us across both Carolina’s can be rowdy, Stud knew there needed to be a hangout that wasn’t the hot rod shop.
When this property came up as an option, he couldn’t resist buying it.
He bought this old bar from a riding buddy that decided he was getting too old to deal with the drunk bastards anymore.
While I’m sure the regulars at the old Hilltop Saloon wished Stud kept it open to the public, that wasn’t his plan.
From the beginning, this right here is what he envisioned.
One thing about Stud, he comes up with an idea, for business or for fun, he will see it through. Success or failure, the man dreams it up, he goes for it all or nothing.
He gutted the original place to build it into our clubhouse and used the other five acres around the building to put in a few crash pads while still giving space around each structure for mowing before the fence.
Because, yes, he sure did fence the entire property off with six feet tall chain link that is covered in black mesh, and a triple set of barbed wire runs the top.
We don’t need anyone deciding to play peek-a-boo.
I like it because I can park at the hot rod shop and walk over without feeling confined.
There is something about not being able to jump on my bike and go that always winds me up.
Confinement irritates me and fucks with my head.
When the time comes, I will leave. Sometimes I’ll say goodbye, other times I simply jet.
They all know how I am. This is the thing about the brotherhood, there is no judgement amongst us.
True acceptance is rare, and given my past, I’m thankful to have found it in the Hellions.
At the bar, I nod to the prospect working and lift my hand giving him two fingers.
Knowing my usual, he brings over two IPA beers in bottles.
Snagging the tops on the bottle openers that are screwed into the edges of the bar, I pop both open before making my way over to the high-top table Honey is sitting at.
She knows how I am and where I prefer to sit.
“You make shit easy, Honey,” I tell her as I slide onto the stool across from her.
“Always know exactly where I want to be.” My back to the wall and no space for anyone behind me, she picked my spot like we do this all the time.
She is observant though and treats every Hellion like her own brother.
Honey doesn’t usually sit with me here, but she has attended enough times to see where I’m comfortable.
“Raff, you been in this club how many years?” She asks taking a pull from her beer. “I know you don’t like anyone behind you. I know you want to see what’s coming at you. And more than anything when the clock strikes midnight, you’re gonna take off to God knows where like fuckin’ Cinderella.”
I nod in reply. Honey knows all of us, possibly better than we know ourselves. She is a watcher. Quiet but intentional. She studies everyone and takes note of each of our personality traits.
She gives me a half grin, “You turn into a pumpkin, Raff? Is that why you gotta watch the clock?”
We both laugh. “Nope, I turn into a gourd. The most bitter vegetable around.”
She takes another pull of her beer. “So we’re gonna be jaded together?”
I nod, “at least for tonight, Honey.”
“At least you’re always honest, Raff. Even if it hurts.”
While I’m not sure many like this attribute of mine, I find it’s easier to simply keep shit real. Life is too short to dick with being fake at any level.
It’s not long before the drinks are stacking up and the music gets turned up a couple of notches.
Some of the guys are playing pool. There is a dart tournament in the other side, and a few of the ol’ ladies dancing in the open area.
The barflies hang on the brother’s they hope to bang tonight or off to the side of the bar waiting to get noticed.
The atmosphere is relaxed like we usually have it on a Friday night.
Hang out, have a few drinks, crash here, or go home, it’s family time.
Another weekend with the club. I’ll relax for a bit more without drinking and then head home.
Movement coming towards us gets my focus.
Dove has a barfly wrapped around him like a damn Koala bear.
His shirt and cut are off, tossed God knows where around the clubhouse while her skirt does nothing to hide her bare ass as she grinds against his stomach.
Carelessly they bump into our table before he finally reaches his destination with her back to the wall.
Honey rolls her eyes as Dove pins the barfly to the wall while she unzips his pants pulling them down over his ass.
I want to smack him upside the head. I’m not against a brother getting laid, but I swear Dove thinks clothing is optional everywhere.
Sometimes I think he finds a public indecency charge might be worth it to stroll around naked everywhere he goes.
“Dammit Dove, I’ve seen your ass more than I ever wanted to. Why can’t you take this shit somewhere else?” I mutter turning away to focus on Honey once again.
“Dove,” Honey calls out to my brother, “I think I’ve seen your naked ass more than my son’s and I had to change his fuckin’ diaper. Can’t you, I don’t know, get a room? Damn.”
Turning her attention back to me, she shakes her head, “how can you guys be like this?”
I lift the cup of water to my lips the prospect dropped not long ago.
Knowing I’m going to ride home in about an hour I cut off the beer and switched to water.
The cold liquid runs down my throat as I explain this shit to Honey knowing she won’t like the answer.
“Sometimes, Honey, a hole is a hole. Release is just release. Sometimes the day-to-day shit gets wound up tight in a man’s mind.
We don’t think, we simply do, and the caveman inside says have sex. It’s natural.”
She laughs, “that is the dumbest and possibly the most real shit I’ve ever heard.”
“Women, y’all are the fairer sex. It ain’t because you are inferior or not as capable. Shit, women like you, Honey, God broke the damn mold you’re so fucking strong. But emotions, they will hold you back. It’s okay for sex to be sex. Not everything needs to be love.”
“I get that. I loved once. No need to do that again.”
I lean forward on the table, “now that’s my girl. Check the emotions at the first hello. Bang when the urge hits and go about the day or night. Keep shit simple. No complications.”
She laughs, “Raff, it’s not that simple. But I damn sure wish it was.”
“It’s only as complicated as you make it, Honey.”
She smirks, “one day a woman is gonna come along and complicate everything for you, Dean.”
I grab my heart in mock pain, “you wound me at the insinuation I can keep a broad for more than a night.”
Her eyes lock to mine, “you don’t give many a chance to see behind the Riffraff to the man who I am sure can give a woman his all.”