Page 74 of Smokey's Distraction
Pearl pulled him out of his musings when she asked, “Did you sign the contract?”
“No. I didn’t have a chance to review it yet, and I have to head out. Just so you know, I’ll be tied up for the next couple of hours, and then I’ll be at the Perkins’ site.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“I’ll fax the contract to you in the next few days. See ya.” Smokey glanced down the hallway toward Ashley’s office, paused, then walked in the opposite direction, toward the elevators.
Traffic was light on the two-lane road leading to the clubhouse, and in less than twenty minutes, he was turning into the club’s lot. Walking into the room, the pungent smell of weed permeated the air, and huddled near the bar was a group of brothers, beer bottles in hand, their voices booming over the hard rock tunes playing on the jukebox. Against the back wall, platters of cold cuts, cheeses, watermelon slices, and baskets of potato and tortilla chips, sat atop an aluminum folding table.
He felt a firm hand clasp his shoulder. Turning, he found Rock, the sergeant-at-arms, shooting him a friendly grin.
“When the hell did you come in?” he asked as he brought a beer bottle to his lips.
“Just now. Is Banger here?”
“He’s on his way. You want to grab some chow?”
Nodding, he followed Rock as he wound his way through the crowd.
Seeing Smokey, Rosie sidled up to him and curled her hand around his forearm, giving him a warm smile. “Let me fix you a sandwich, honey.”
“Thanks, but I can make my own.”
Rock picked up a paper plate and scooped up a handful of potato chips. “Fuck, dude, she wants to spoil you.”
“That’s right, baby,” she said, pressing her body close to his. “I’m dying to spoil you.”
Stepping away from her, he grabbed his own plate. “Not now. We got church in a few.”
“After? It’s been too long.”
“I have to work. We’ll catch up sometime.” Turning away, she sauntered off as he put a couple of slices of turkey, ham, and salami onto his plate.
“Do you have something going on with that marketing chick in your office?” Rock asked.
“No,” he answered tightly.
“I heard she’s quite a looker. I bet she’s smart too.” He laughed. “A smart, pretty woman can bust a man’s balls real good.”
“Are you speaking from experience, or just blowing smoke out of your ass?”
“You got the same shit going on that I did with Clotille. I kept denying it, but she had a hold on me.”
Smokey snorted. “That wasyou,not me. No one’s got me by the balls.”
“Are you gonna fuck Rosie when you get back tonight?”
Slathering mayonnaise on his bread, he scowled. “How the hell is that your business?”
“When you stop wanting to fuck the club girls, it’s because you got another woman on your mind—I know, dude. But if you don’t believe me, ask Wheelie, Chas, or Throttle.”
“Ask me what?” Throttle said smacking Smokey on the back. “It’s been a while, bro.”
Rock chuckled as he looked at Throttle. “He doesn’t want to fuck the club girls.”
“Damn. Do you have the hots for a woman?”
Smokey took a big bite of his sandwich and chewed it slowly.
