Page 92 of Rags's Awakening
Zoe’s going to lose her mind when I tell her we finally did it.
Grinning, Casey cranked up the radio and sang along to Bon Jovi’s “Runaway,” the music carrying her the rest of the way home.
Chapter Nineteen
The scent oftangy barbecue and grilled meat wafted through the clubhouse as Rags stepped inside. His stomach growled. Wisps of smoke curled in from the back porch, where the club’s newest grill sizzled.
“Where’ve you been the last couple of days?” Puck asked, pushing away from the bar.
“Busy,” Rags replied, shaking his head at Hog, who set a double Jack on the counter.
“Did you finally get laid?” Blade asked, lifting his own double shot and bringing it to his lips.
Ignoring the jabs, Rags glanced over at three of the club girls as they set up plates and napkins on one of the long folding tables.
“What’s going on?” Rags said, scooping up a fistful of mixed nuts.
“The guys are coming back from the poker run. We’ve got brothers rolling in from the Wyoming, Iowa, and Kansas charters. They’re riding with Animal, Shadow, Bones, Hubcap, and PJ. Tank’s out back trying out the new grill,” Puck said.
“He’s grilling steaks,” Blade added. “You should grab one.”
“Maybe. Is Hawk around?” Rags asked.
Puck jerked his head toward the hallway. “In his office.”
“Catch you in a few,” Rags said, walking away.
As he ambled down the hallway, he waved a hand through the air, fanning away the threads of smoke drifting inside.
“Damn, dude,” Rags said before coughing. “Why the hell didn’t you put the grill in the yard?”
“I wanted to see how it’d work under the patio,” Tank said, flipping several steaks on the glowing racks.
“Now you know it works like shit. The smoke’s filling up the main room. You want help pushing it out?”
Tank lowered the hood. “I thought it’d be fine.”
“Maybe if it wasn’t windy and you closed the damn door.”
“I guess.” Tank’s arms flexed as he hauled the grill across the brick floor. “So where the hell have you been?”
“Around,” Rags said, helping shove the cooker.
“Around where?” Tank grunted.
“Just around. That should do it,” Rags said, releasing the side handle.
Tank nodded and lifted the hood. Charcoal and hickory swirled between them. “I guess I should’ve asked who you’ve been crashing with.” A sly smile tugged at his mouth.
Rags pursed his lips, gave a chin lift, and sauntered away.
“You bartending tonight?” Tank yelled after him.
“Yep,” Rags said without looking back.
He rapped once on Hawk’s office door and stepped inside.
“Hey,” Hawk said, glancing up from his monitor.
