Page 15 of Wheelie's Challenge
“You still got the special, darlin’?” he asked Brenda, winking at her.
She brushed her fingertips across his forearm and shook her head. “We’re all out, but the meatloaf is real good.”
He glanced at her hand then at her face; he smiled and slipped into the booth next to Throttle. “Biscuits gone too?”
“I can get you a couple.” She licked her lips. “So, would you like the meatloaf?”
“Yep.”
When Brenda walked away, Rags settled back against the cushion. “We didn’t think you were coming.”
“I worked up an appetite.” He sniggered.
“Charlotte has a way of doing that.” Rags motioned the busser for a coffee refill.
“Yeah, but nothing like Tania. If I’d been fucking her, I’d never have made it. She’s something else. You gotta try her,” he said to Wheelie.
Brenda came back with four fresh cups of coffee, and she smiled at Smokey and winked at Wheelie. All of a sudden, Wheelie wanted to get on his bike and ride for a long time to clear his mind. His dick was reacting to Brenda, but his mind wouldn’t have any of it. For the past few months, he hadn’t been with any woman partly because he was working like hell on the new business, but also because he’d started feeling isolated during and after hookups even when he really liked the woman. For years, the passionate rush of casual, rowdy sex fueled him, but now it just left him empty and wanting something more. He couldn’t pinpoint whatmorewas, but he knew fucking the club girls, hoodrats, and random citizens wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Wheelie pushed his cup away from him. “I’m gonna make sure everything’s locked up at the car wash then head home.”
“You’re not going back to the club? We got some strippers from Dream House heading over to entertain us. Some brothers from Fort Collins are coming by,” Smokey said.
“I feel like a ride. I’m sure the strippers will be there next weekend for the San Diego brothers. I’ll catch them then.” Wheelie slid out of the booth.
Looking at Throttle and Rags, Smokey shook his head. “What about you two?”
“I’m going out with my old lady,” Throttle said, glancing at his phone.
“I’m in,” Rags said, stirring his coffee.
Wheelie threw down twenty-five dollars. “That should take care of my share with tip. Later.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he ambled toward the front door.
“Wheelie,” Brenda said as she hurried toward him. “Don’t forget to call me. I’d love to go to one of your parties. I hear they’re wild, and you guys know how to have a good time.” She paused a breath and added, “I’m also down with pizza and a movie.”
“I’m pretty busy right now, and I don’t usually go out with citizens.” Wheelie opened the front door and turned away from Brenda’s crestfallen face. Looking over his shoulder, he offered a small smile. “I’m just being honest. Give Rags a chance. He’s really into you.”
“And you’re not?”
“It’s nothing personal. I’ll see you around.” The door closed behind him, and he walked over to his Harley.
“Wheelie, hold up a minute.”
He turned around and saw Tigger approaching him while Skeet, Cruiser, and Bones walked into the diner. Wheelie cursed his bad timing as he put on his sunglasses. “What’s up?” he asked Tigger.
“You headed back to the club?” Tigger wiped his shaved head with a do-rag.
“Nope.”
“It’s damn hot today,” Tigger said, mopping his face with the black bandana.
“Yeah.”
“I wanted to ask you to help my old lady out when I’m gone for the poker run. I’ll be away for about six days, and I don’t want her out on her own. So, if you could help out with taking her to the grocery store and whatnot, that’d be cool. You know, like the last time.”
“Hawk told me Cara’s gonna help out with that shit.”
“Yeah, he mentioned that to me, but I don’t want Cara alone with my old lady. I’m not crazy about her. She’s a troublemaker, and I don’t need her putting her feminist ideas into Sofia’s head. I can’t believe Hawk hooked up with Cara. What the fuck was he thinking?”
