Page 13 of Smokey's Distraction
“One more jab about that shit, and I’m gonna kick your ass,” Smokey growled.
“Here you go, guys.” With her eyes fixed on Smokey’s, Tania bent down real low and put a plate down in front of Shadow, then handed the other one to Animal.
Smokey had a frontal view of the club girl’s big tits, and once again, the only thing he could think about was the sexy woman from the previous night—the one with the sassy mouth who saidno. Smokey stared past Tania as he tried to bring her name to the front of his mind.
“Marie,” he said.
The brothers at the table stared at him, and Tania’s eyes widened.
“I’mTania, honey. We don’t got aMariehere.”
Bones pushed his chair back and stood up. “He’s got one on his mind already and his dick does too.” He grabbed the club girl’s hand and yanked her to him. Go get Charlotte and let’s have some fun.”
Tania nestled close to him. “I can’t wait, baby.”
“This is good,” Shadow said after swallowing a bite of his sandwich. His compliment fell on deaf ears because Tania and Bones had walked away.
“I’m pissed it snowed. Those weather assholes said it would be a light accumulation, not eight inches. Shit … I was planning to ride today,” Smokey said.
“Me too,” Shadow said, and Animal nodded in agreement. “I can’t wait for the summer when we can just let loose.”
“Yeah. So far this has been the snowiest spring in a few years.” Smokey glanced at his phone: it was three o’clock. “I’m gonna check out one of the construction sites I’m working on. I want to make sure the security guard is there. The last company I hired kept sending me jerks who showed up for an hour and then took off. The club should think about starting a security company.”
“I don’t think that’d go over so good with most of the residents,” Animal said before taking another bite of his sandwich.
“We get good money for the occasional gigs like concerts and watching some rich fucks’ backs. I wouldn’t want to haul my ass to a spot and sit there for eight to ten hours.” Shadow wiped his hands with the napkin.
“We wouldn’t do the guarding—we’d hire people to do it. The best part is that if they screwed up, we’d kick their asses,” Smokey said.
“We got enough shit going on with the new strip mall, the online poker and sports betting that Hawk set up, and the fuckin’ Rising Order. That asshole Skeet thinks he’s gonna take over Insurgents’ territory.” Animal slammed his fist on the table. “Next church, we need to push to show those fuckers who owns Colorado.”
“I’m with you, brother.” Smokey bumped fists with Animal and then with Shadow. “You guys solo tonight too? I was thinking to grab some chow at Ruthie’s later.”
Animal shook his head. “I promised Lucy I’d help with her science project.”
Smokey chuckled. “I’d think you’d want the kid to pass the class.” Animal held up his middle finger while shaking his head, and Smokey mirrored the gesture.
“Another time, bro. When do you need me for the remodel job?” Shadow asked.
“Tuesday’s good.” Smokey rose to his feet. “I’m heading out.” He pointed at Animal. “See you in church this week”—and he tipped his head toward Shadow—“and I’ll see you at nine on Tuesday. I’ll text you the address later on.” He shrugged on his jacket and headed out of the club.
The snow fell softly and silently, dusting his head and shoulders, and deadening the sound of his footfalls. Smokey slipped into his burgundy SUV and switched on the engine. Nearly all the club members had a cage in addition to their motorcycles, although some of the younger members still rode on icy roads and in snowy conditions. Smokey remembered when it had been inconceivable to him to drive, let aloneowna cage. But then, he’d been in his early twenties and had thought he was invincible. After several years in an outlaw club, witnessing mayhem and death, Smokey’s appreciation of the fragility of life had replaced his indestructible attitude, and he bought a cage two years before, when he’d turned twenty-eight.
He pulled out onto the icy road and headed toward downtown Pinewood Springs. When he reached the town limits, he hung a right and drove through the parking lot of the Colorado Hotel. The historic hotel, built in 1893, was a favorite among tourists who came to the area to partake in many of the outdoor activities or to soak in the therapeutic spring waters that had been bubbling up from the earth’s core for millions of years.
The fact that Smokey was cruising the lot looking for a black Buick Regal was pretty damn pathetic. If Bones, Animal, Shadow, oranyof the brothers got a whiff of what he was doing, he’d never hear the end of it. And even though Smokey knew he was acting like a grade A pussy, he couldn’t help himself. Maybe it was because in dissing him, the chick had inadvertently challenged him, or maybe she was a breath of fresh air compared to all the women who jumped for him without even a fight. He didn’t have a clue, but all he knew was that he wanted to find her and win her over. And by the way she reacted to him at Blue’s Belly, Smokey had no doubt that with a little effort and a bit more charm, she’d gladly spread her legs.
Disappointment weaved through him as he looked up and down the rows of parked cars. Two hours later, intense coral pinks, fiery reds, and peachy oranges draped the horizon as Smokey pulled out of the last motel lot in the county. Angry at the hours he wasted in trying to find some chick’s damn vehicle, he took a sharp turn at the next streetlight and headed to the construction site he was supposed to have checked two fucking hours ago.
When he approached the site, he saw a security car parked by the end of the barbed-wire fence. Smokey drove over to make sure the guard wasn’t snoozing on the job, chatted briefly with him, then turned his cage around and drove to Ruthie’s to grab a bite to eat.
Smokey thrummed his fingers on the dashboard as he waited for a minivan to back out of a parking space. Normally, he didn’t go to Ruthie’s this early, especially on a Sunday when the diner was packed with families. Screaming kids and arguing parents didn’t make the best combination for a relaxing meal, but he was already there, so he clenched his teeth and waited as the driver of the vehicle took his damn sweet time exiting the space.
When Smokey walked inside, several people hovered around the cash register and many more milled in the small waiting area. Children squirmed and cried on parents’ laps while the older ones sulked and stared out the window at the falling snow.
“Fuck,” Smokey muttered under his breath as he stomped his wet boots on the mat just inside the door. He glanced around and saw Maddie carrying a tray piled high with plates and drinks as she maneuvered around and through the crowd.
As if sensing someone was watching her, the curly-haired waitress, clad in a pink jumper and white apron, glanced over and locked eyes with him, and a large grin spread across her full face. She nodded and mouthed, “Hang on,” then stopped at a booth with six people crammed into it and set down the tray on a stand.
