Page 28 of Wheelie's Challenge
“I’m looking forward to the picnic. I’m making a Buffalo chicken pasta salad. It’s really good. You’ll have to try it.”
Wheelie wanted to reach through the phone and draw her into his arms and never let her go. “I plan to. See you, babe.”
“Bye.”
Wheelie spun around and headed to the parking lot. As he walked toward his bike, Rags pulled in and parked his landscaping truck next to it. He jumped out of the vehicle and came over.
“Coming or going?” he asked.
Wheelie took out his keys. “Going. You stopping off for a beer?”
“More like a gallon of cold water.” Rags took off his cap and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. “It’s fuckin’ hot out here.”
“I’m glad I work inside. You going to the family picnic tonight?”
“Nope. I’m gonna hang out inside the air-conditioned club, have a few cold beers, and play some pool.”
“Do me a favor and ask Bones to shoot some pool with you.”
“Bones? Why am I doing that?”
“’Cause Tigger’s asked him to spy on Sofia, and Bones can be a sonofabitch sometimes. If she looks funny at a guy in the park, he’ll tell Tigger she was flirting or some shit like that. He can be a troublemaker.”
Rags’ eyes narrowed. “This guy she may be looking funny at wouldn’t be you, would it?”
“You know Bones. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I heard Tigger asked you to take his old lady to the grocery store and watch over her. That’s pretty convenient for you.”
Wheelie looked away as he tried to push down the rising fire inside him. “You gonna help or not?” He glanced back at Rags.
“You’re gonna owe me so fuckin’ big.”
“Thanks, dude.” Wheelie pressed his lips together. Rags lifted his chin and they both went their separate ways.
After several hours of working, Wheelie turned the lock, flipped on the CLOSED sign, then went to the bathroom to freshen up before heading to the picnic. He had to play it cool that night because he didn’t doubt for one second that Banger, and probably Hawk, would be watching him. Wheelie grabbed his cut and walked out the back door.
***
Sunlight sifted throughthe lush branches of the oak trees, casting spidery patterns on the park’s freshly mown lawn. Several people jogged on the tracks around the edges of the park, and the muffled squeals and laughter of children on the playground equipment traveled on the light breeze.
Wheelie strolled over to the area where wisps of smoke curled above large grills.
“Wheelie!” Harley cried, running over to him.
He picked up Banger’s son and spun around with him, laughing as the boy screamed out in delight. “You’re getting heavier each time I do that,” he said, putting the boy back on his feet. Braxton came running over to Wheelie and threw his arms up in the air. “My turn,” he said, and Wheelie obliged, spinning him around like a ride at the carnivals that came through town in the summer.
“That’s fun,” the boy said, his eyes bright.
Hawk came over and clasped Wheelie on the shoulder. “Glad you could come.” He reached over and picked up Braxton with his free arm.
“Daddy, can you spin me like Wheelie did?”
Hawk whirled his boy around over and over until Cara yelled out, “Enough. You’re going to drop him.” A frown crossed her forehead.
Laughing, Hawk set Braxton down. “Mommy’s right. Go and play with Harley, and let your sister play if she wants to.” The young boy ran off and Hawk looked at Wheelie. “I’m dizzy as fuck. Let’s go grab a beer.”
Wheelie followed Hawk over to the large cooler and that’s when he saw Sofia. Sunlight weaved through her dark hair like strands of gold, and she looked damn sexy in her short denim skirt and blue checkered top. As if she sensed him, Sofia looked over her shoulder as a small smile whispered over her shiny pink lips, and he sucked in his breath as his cock twitched to life.
