Page 67 of Crow
“Some of the brothers and I are going for a ride.”
“That’s right—motorcycles come first in your world,” Benny said.
“Fuck yeah. Besides the brotherhood, they’re always constant and reliable. Loyal too.”
Josh shook his head. “I’ll never get your world. I still can’t get over that you’re in an outlaw club.”
“You guys want to go to the rally? It’s in Denver next month. It should be awesome. They’ll be a lot of chicks looking for bikers.”
“But we’re not bikers,” said Benny.
Crow laughed. “Just put on a leather jacket. By the end of the day, they’ll be so damn drunk that all they’ll see is the leather.”
Benny grinned. “Works for me.” He glanced over at Josh. “Are you in?”
“I don’t know. I’m not into that scene.”
“You don’t have to ride a bike or wear leather to appreciate a Harley,” Crow said. “Anyway, they’ll have a bunch of booths, some kickass barbecue, tattooing, and a ton of wet T-shirt contests.”
“I’m in for sure,” Benny said.
Josh picked up his bill. “I’ll think about it.”
“I better get going too,” Benny said. “Is Diana going to be there?”
Crow cocked his head to the side. “Where the hell did that come from?”
“Just asking. I know she lives in Durango, and you guys don’t see each other all that much. Sometimes I bump into her at the store, and she complains that she’s always the one who has to come to Alina to see you.”
“I go to Durango. I’ve just been real busy.”
“Is she seeing anyone?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What kind of a fuckin’ question is that? She’s my sister, and you’ve known her since she was in pre-school.”
Benny shrugged. “What does that have to do with anything? I was just asking. I’ve seen her with this dude a few times, so I was just wondering.”
“Yeah, well stop wondering about Diana. She’s dating this real cocky asshole. He thinks his shit doesn’t stink. I’d like to bash his face in.”
Josh chuckled. “I think you want to bash in any guy’s face when it comes to your sisters. Didn’t you tell me the same thing about Valerie’s boyfriend?”
“Don’t get me started on that piece of shit. I’m cool with Colleen’s husband. Javier is a great brother-in-law, and he treats Colleen with respect and love. It’s the asswipes Valerie keeps going out with and the players Diana chooses that make my blood boil.”
Benny clasped Crow on his shoulder. “Admit it, dude. You’re just an overprotective brother. Shit, man. You’re worse than your dad.”
“I just don’t want to see any man disrespect my sisters.”
“I’m surprised that you’re still in contact with Valerie. She’s one fucked-up woman,” Josh said while Benny nodded.
Crow rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “If she didn’t have Noah and Maddie, I’m not sure I’d still be in contact with her. She’s a user and a major manipulator. I know Valerie came from a shit background, but she definitely milks that for everything she can get. We have a strained relationship, but she knows I love those kids and want the best for them, so she uses that to her advantage. She thinks I haven’t figured her out.”
“You’re a better man than I am. I would’ve dropped her ass years ago,” Benny said as he walked toward the cashier’s stand.
“I hate seeing kids suffer because they got fucked-up parents.”
“Like mine?” Josh asked, a strained tension lacing his voice.
“Nah, dude. I wasn’t thinking that at all,” he answered.
