Page 19 of Shadow's Surrender
“Depends on how much we’re talking about.”
Smokey put the bottle on the table. “Around 15K.”
A wide grin spread across his face. “I’m in.”
Smokey lifted his chin. “Cool.”
Sometimes Shadow helped out the brothers who owned businesses if they needed it. In the past, he’d lent a hand at Wheelie’s carwash, Throttle and Rags’ landscape company, and Hawk’s motorcycle repair shop. He’d even helped Animal out a few times at his appliance repair business, even though he didn’t know shit about fixing fridges and stoves. Shadow liked keeping busy, and he preferred being outdoors as much as he could. He figured it was a throw back to his childhood when he’d spend hours away from the house in order to avoid another beating from his dad.
Bile rose in his throat and he chugged down the rest of his beer. Thinking about his dad always made him pissed and anxious.You were such a fuckin’ bastard.
“We ready to roll?” Hawk asked as he stood up. “Cara just texted me—the old ladies are back home, and the power’s been restored.”
The men with old ladies pushed back their chairs and jumped to their feet. The single ones lifted their chins at their buddies as they left the table, then returned to finishing their drinks and chow.
After another hour, Shadow pushed his empty plate away from him and drained the last bit of beer in his schooner.
“I’m gonna head back,” he said.
“The club girls will be real happy to see us after having fun at the pool,” Smokey said, his blue eyes shining.
“I’m ready for some fucking,” Rags said as he pushed up from the chair.
“I think I’ll hang around here and see if Brittany wants to have some fun after her shift ends.” Helm stretched his legs in front of him.
“Dude, she was kissing the shit outta the bartender when I went to wash up,” Shadow said. “Give it up.”
“No fuckin’ way,” Helm said, straightening up.
“Charlotte’s got a great ass,” Smokey said.
“One of the best ones of all the club girls,” Rags added.
“I can have Charlotte any time—I want Brittany.” A wrinkle crossed his brow.
“Fuckin’ pathetic,” Smokey said as he put on his sunglasses.
“Now’s your chance, bro—she’s coming this way.” Shadow fished out his mesh gloves from the pocket of his cut.
“You guys heading out?” she asked as she picked up the remaining empty plates.
“Yep,” Rags said.
“Where you going?”
“Back to Pinewood Springs.” Rags wrapped a bandana around his head.
“So you’re not too far away.” She smiled. “Have a good trip back home.”
When Brittany started to walk away, Helm called out to her, “Hey, you got an ol’ man or something?”
She laughed, her light brown eyes sparkling. “Yes, and heissomething.”
Helm scrunched his face. “You into having some fun on the side?”
“Shit, dude,” Shadow said as he elbowed the biker in the ribs.
“What? It’s a fair question since you saw her kissing a dude.”
