Page 38 of Wheelie's Challenge
“Hi, Doris.” He looked over at Jada. “What seems to be the problem?”
Before the teen could answer, Doris clucked her tongue and pointed her finger at the young woman. “This one hereis being a royal bitch.” She brushed her hand over Wheelie’s chest. “I forgot my credit card, and I don’t have enough money for a wax, but Ruben insists on it for the truck. You know how he is.” Doris glared at Jada for a second then looked at Wheelie. “I tried to tell this girl all that, but she didn’t want to listen. She obviously doesn’t have a clue as to who the Insurgents are.”
Jada started to open her mouth, but Wheelie shook his head at her. “Animal is Jada’s brother, so she knows all about the Insurgents.” He turned to the cashier. “Comp the wash and the wax.”
“Will do.” She punched some of the buttons on the cash register then handed Doris a small piece of paper. “Give that to the guys when they’re done with your truck.”
A satisfied look swept across Doris’s face, and she moved closer to Wheelie and clasped his bicep, digging her talons into the taut flesh. “Thank you. I knew you’d settle this. I hated being treated like a common criminal.” She leaned into him as though she’d tripped on something. Laughing, Doris pulled back a little. “Sorry. Ooh, you smell good. Did you just get back from a ride? I can always smell the wind and leather on a biker.”
Wheelie stepped a few paces away from her. “No. Is there something else I can help you with?”
“Keep me company until the truck’s done?”
“I have a lot of work to finish up; I’m planning on cutting out a little early.”
A crooked sneer slashed across her lips. “Are you? Have a hot date?”
Wheelie stared at her. “If you need anything else, give me a holler.” He started to walk away, but Doris grabbed his forearm.
“Are you still watching out for little Sofia?”
He yanked out of her grip, and his facial muscles tightened. “There’s no reason for you to disrespect her. She’s an old lady just like you. And yeah, I’m helping out. Bones is too… and Throttle. What’s your fuckin’ point?”
Doris poked him in the side. “Why’re you being so touchy?” Her pale blue eyes looked like gleaming shards of ice filled with hatred and jealousy.
“I just don’t like anyone disrespecting another person without a reason for it… especially an Insurgent’s old lady.” Wheelie turned on his heels and headed back to his office.
Doris’s sandals clacked on the tile as she followed him. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that Sofia always seems so… pathetic. I think she plays that up to get the brothers’ attention. Some women are like that, you know?”
Wheelie stopped in front of his office and turned around. “And some women like to start up shit just because they’re bored, or they can’t stand anyone prettier or younger than they are. Now… do you know whatImean?” Doris’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He walked into the room, closing the door on a very red-faced, wide-eyed Doris.
“Bitch,” he muttered under his breath as he slid into the leather chair. Doris’s jealousy toward the younger old ladies was inordinately hateful, and there was no way Wheelie was going to let Doris pull Sofia into her bitter, drama-filled world.
A knock on the door made the anger rushing through him feel like a steel band around his chest, tightening more and more with each thud.
“I told you I’m busy. Go away.” Wheelie pushed back in his chair, and it banged into the wall. “Fuck!”
“What’s going on, bro?” Rags asked through the door.
“Come on in,” Wheelie answered.
Rags walked in, his gaze fixed on Wheelie. “You okay?”
“I thought you were Ruben’s fuckin’ old lady. She’s getting the truck washed and spewing shit to piss me off.”
Rags lifted his chin. “Looks like it worked. Was it about Sofia?”
“Yeah. I’m sick of Doris. She’s always trying to create a goddamn storm in the club between the brothers and their old ladies.”
“Did you tell her to shut the fuck up?”
“Yeah… something like that. Did you come in for a cold brew? I got some in the fridge behind you.”
“We made plans to go to Ruthie’s for lunch. Throttle, Animal, and Smokey are already there.”
Wheelie shook his head. “I forgot. What the hell’s wrong with me?”
Rags looked pointedly at him. “Maybe you got too much on your mind this week.”
