by K E Osborn
“Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my short time with you, Neon, it’s that you’ll find a way to help her.”
“Yeah… I hope so, for her sake.”
We both sit back in comfortable silence, just staring at the flickering flames of the fire pit. I always feel that if you can sit in silence with someone and be completely at ease, then that person has a good soul. It’s like that with Neon right now.
He turns to me with the cheekiest grin. “I think we both need to let off some steam… you game?”
I’m not sure if it’s an innuendo or if he means something else. My mind races, flashing with thoughts of him pinning me against the wall. I desperately want to know what’s hiding beneath that leather cut of his. The hint of tattoos peeks out around his collar and down his arms. I want to decipher them all.
“Oakley?” Neon’s concerned tone breaks me from my rapid thoughts.
“What? Nothing!” I blurt out, instantly sounding guilty.
He narrows his eyes on me. “You okay?”
“Ahh, yeah. Sorry, was thinking of something else for a second. Um… what did you have in mind?”
“Seeing as you like things quick and dirty, we could…” My eyes widen, my breath catches as I clench my thighs together to dull the ache forming between them. “Rent out the go-kart track and race a few rounds. You know, let off some steam?”
My stomach falls through the floor as I let out a loud puff of air. Jesus Christ! I mentally hit myself over the head with a baseball bat for being a horny little teenager. The guy is just trying to keep me occupied for the day, and instead I’m here trying to jump his bones.
Fuck, Oakley! Calm your tits, girl!
What the hell is it with me and bikers, anyway?
“Go-karts?” I ask, my voice a little higher than I was expecting.
“I figure you’ll kick my ass in a straight line, so anything with corners I might have a chance at… and a go-kart track sounds like a good way for you to get your racing spirit on, seeing as you can’t do it for real right now. Plus, me and the guys would be down for it. We’ll call ahead. Get the whole place to ourselves… for security, of course.”
“You can do that?”
“We know, Ricky, the owner. He owes us one.”
Giddy excitement washes over me that Neon and the club would do this for me. “You sure this is okay? Me leaving the club grounds?”
“With all of us there and no public being anywhere near the place, it should be fine. Let me check with Zero first. Then we should be good to go.”
Being on the track, whether it a quarter-mile or a go-kart track is where I’m meant to be.
“Okay, let’s do this!”
OAKLEY
I’m having the best fucking time. When I first arrived, I thought the other guys were a little stiff toward me, like they knew I could bring danger to the club, therefore they weren’t interested in making small talk. But now we’re here at the track, which is solely booked out for Houston Defiance, they seem to be taking it in their stride. Every brother wants the chance to race a champion drag racer on this track and beat her. So far, I’ve kicked everyone’s ass, except Texas, who nipped me by default only because he clipped me, and I spun into the tire wall. Fucker plays dirty. But I gave him the win because all’s fair on the go-kart track.
The women sit back with the kids, while the guys macho out, trying to be king dick out here in my domain. Sure, I’ve never been a pro go-kart racer, but a girl just might think about it after tonight’s antics.
I’ve raced everyone except for Neon, who’s sitting back keeping track times. I walk up to him with a pep in my step. “You too chicken shit to race me, huh?”
“Someone has to keep tabs. I’m a numbers guy.”
“It’s the all-in race next. You should join us,” I almost beg.
He peers over to the track longingly. “I gotta keep score—”
“Oh, hand your stupid chart over. It doesn’t have to be precise. This is all for fun, Neon. Go, have a race with your brothers,” Chills demands.
Over the past couple of hours, I’ve come to know Chills is the club doctor. She’s Chains’ Old Lady, and they have a sickly son named Kobe, who needs to have heart surgery soon. Chills is one strong, independent woman. Honestly, she scares me a little, but in a good way. Like she fights for what she believes in, taking no shit from anybody.
I like her instantly.
“Yeah, c’mon, Neon. I need to have bragging rights over you,” I tease.
He snorts. “You think you’re gonna beat me?”
“I know I’m gonna beat you.” I stand taller, puffing out my chest.
He rolls his eyes, handing his clipboard over to Chills. “Fine! But Chills… keep my method going and don’t fuck it up.”
Chills salutes him as Cherry giggles behind us. “C’mon, Neon!”
I widen my eyes. “Hey! What happened to girl power?”
Cherry grins. “I don’t want Neon’s ego to get too badly bruised. Someone has to cheer for him.”
“Babe, you cheerin’ for my best friend isn’t stroking my ego the right way.” Zero chuckles, wrapping his arm around Cherry’s shoulders, pulling her in tight.
Cherry snickers. “Oh, honey, your ego doesn’t need any stroking. It’s big enough… if you know what I mean.”
Everyone bursts out laughing as Zero beams so freaking wide. “Yeah, it is! And it’s all yours, Cherry Bomb. Fuck, I can’t wait to see you walking toward me in a white dress.”
“Who says it’ll be white?” she jokes.
“Fuck, you’re a tease!” He nuzzles his nose into her neck, kissing her throat.
“Are they always like this?” I lean into Texas with a chuckle.
He bobs his head matter-of-factly. “Yeah, pretty much.”
It’s great to see Zero and Cherry so happy together. The way they banter off each other is cool, especially after what Neon said Zero went through with his sister, Anna. I don’t know the full story, but by the sounds of it, Anna wasn’t right for Zero, so I’m glad he’s found his home in Cherry.
My eyes shift to Neon as he picks up a helmet, pulling it over his head. The move is sexy as sin. There’s something about a man in a helmet that does me in. Whether it’s the racer in me or my attraction to bikers, I’m not sure, but seeing Neon don the full head helmet, stirs my inner wild animal, and this wild cat is ready to purr. So, I’m going to take all this built-up adrenaline out on the track.
As one club, the brothers make their way to the karts, all taking their positions. I take up the rear to give them the advantage they so desperately need—yeah, I know I have a big head. I can’t help but get an adrenaline surge pumping through me, goosebumps line my skin as a wave of excitement flows through my veins, igniting my blood with the fuel I need to get this job done.
My heart rapid fires as the lights flash down—red, yellow, yellow, yellow, I hit the gas as they turn green and take off. The wind whips my hair back—there’s nothing that compares to this feeling. It’s not the speed I get on my bike, but I’m a hell of a lot lower to the ground and on four wheels, but this is just as much of a rush.
Any time I race, that instinct kicks in, the need to get to the finish line first, to hunt down my competitors one by one, and to see their vehicle in my dust. This is no different as I pull my wheel to the left, dodging in and out of bikers. I sideswipe Wraith, causing his kart to wobble, then veer off course.
I smile under my helmet as I continue the path ahead.
I never said I’d play fair.
If I have to play a little dirty to win this final race, I’m going to do it because these boys will too.
Suddenly, my kart jerks forward. I peer over my shoulder as Slick rams into me. Of course, if anyone wants to put a stop on me, it’s the one guy who knows me more than anyone here. I slam my wheel to the left, ramming my rear tire into his front right. It causes him to spin out, taking Phantom and Ax with him. I snicker to myself at the min
i pile-up as I drop my gas pedal, driving up over the hill, skidding around the corner, almost up on two wheels.
I’m having the time of my life as I go for lap three of a five-lap race.
Kevlar and Texas are coming in hot behind me, so I plant my foot, taking the corner at a crazy speed. I almost spin out, holding onto the steering wheel with everything I have in me.
Kevlar follows at the same speed but wipes out, his kart spins dramatically three times, his hand coming out slamming the steering wheel as I drive up over the bridge.
Texas is on my ass, though I knew he would be.
Zero, Neon, Nickel, River, and Blake are nowhere in sight. They must be behind us somewhere on the track while Texas and I fight like hell for the number one position. This guy is good as we round the corner heading for the straight, with the finish line in sight.
I grit my teeth. The straight is where I do my best work.
I can bring this home.
But out of nowhere, Texas shudders, his kart spins into the tire wall.
My head shoots over my shoulder as Neon comes into position.
Damn, this fucker was biding his time!
Well played, asshole. Well played.
I let out a small laugh as we both make our way toward the finish line, speeding like two bats out of hell. I’m not going to make a move to spin him out because I want to win against him fair and square. So, I plant my foot, pressing hard on the pedal. I feel like I’m going to push it through the bottom.
My kart creeps forward, a nose ahead.
Then his.
Then mine.
We’re neck and neck, this is anybody’s race.
The checkered flag comes out waving, making my adrenaline surge as I lean forward, trying to ease my kart home over the finish line. I creep forward by just the slightest margin, it’s going to be tight as Neon meets me inch for inch as we cross the line in a photo finish, making me grin wide as I slow the kart.
Everyone is on their feet clapping and cheering as I pull the kart to a stop, then stand, my breathing heavy, my hands still shaking from the vibration of the kart. That whole race was such a fucking rush. I yank off my helmet, swaying my hair from side to side.
Neon chuckles. “You got me by a nose. Good race, though!” His face is so alive with an obvious bright happiness as he places his hand out to shake—such a gentlemanly thing to do.
“Good race. You surprised me. You came out of nowhere,” I tell him.
“Biding my time. You gotta strike at the right moment.”
Texas pulls up, letting out a heavy grunt. “I nearly had her, you asshole!”
“Yeah, but while you were so focused on her, you weren’t watching your six…”
Texas huffs, storming past us both, chucking his helmet on the rack. “Has anyone talked to Finley today. Is there a reason she isn’t here?” he asks while rushing off and pulling out his cell, completely off track now and onto something new.
My eyes shift to Neon as he chuckles. “That guy’s mind is always in seventeen different places at once.”
I exhale, placing the helmet on the rack feeling all the weight that was weighing me down has now dissipated. “I needed that, the perfect stress relief.”
“I can think of something far better for stress relief, if you know what I mean?” Texas calls out from somewhere unseen, making everyone laugh.
I shake my head. “Not for me. Racing is the best high there is.” I turn to Neon. “Thanks, this is exactly what I needed.”
I lean in planting a tender kiss on his cheek. He leans into it, the second my lips connect with him, the atmosphere changes around us. I pull back, but only slightly. Our eyes lock, and my breathing quickens as we stare at each other. The energy surging around us is atomic as he slowly swipes some hair back from my face. The gesture, sweet. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Texas walks past slapping Neon’s shoulder, making him drop his hand from my face. “You’ve got it bad, brother.”
The tension between us is instantly lost. Neon takes a step back, playfully shoving Texas. “Fuck off.”
I chuckle as I turn, walking over toward the girls, who are all smiling at me knowingly.
“Girl! When we get back, you’re sitting with us. We have much to discuss,” Prinie orders, holding her baby.
“Oh… I mean, yeah… sure.”
“Oh, this isn’t optional, hon. We need to have some girl time, now you’re firmly in Neon’s sights,” Sunshine relays.
I widen my eyes. “I… I am?”
They all giggle.
“C’mon, let’s get back to the clubhouse and us girls can have a discussion.”
Why do I feel like I’m about to be interrogated?
Once everyone packs up their shit, we head for the parking lot. I have to admit, it does give me a thrill to think of myself as a part of this club. I never truly felt at home with the Heathens, but there is something about Defiance that feels natural. Soothing. Like home. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it feels damn good.
As we walk over to the bikes, all of us generally chatting and laughing, the smooth pipes of Harleys roar in the distance. Everyone turns in unison to the one-way entry point of the parking lot.
My heart begins to race as Neon steps up, pulling me closer to him.
“Pres, what are we thinking?” Neon calls out.
“Get your guns ready, brothers. Shit’s about to go down,” Zero instructs.
Neon pulls me behind him as the women with the kids all rush for the cages. I kind of wish I was going with them.
“Fox, get the kids out of here,” Zero calls out.
Fox takes off, jumps in starting the cage and backs it out with the women and children inside. He takes off, skidding out of the parking lot mere seconds before the thunderous roaring of the Harleys we’re expecting turn into the lot. One by one, the Heathens pull in, driving right up in front of us. The Defiance guys all pull their guns up, aiming at the Heathens who don’t even bat an eyelid. I stand behind Neon, my hands shaking uncontrollably in fear.
Their engines cut, all rumbling to an eerie quiet.
Rage steps forward from the rear. “Honey, I’m home!” he calls out mockingly. I cringe as he chuckles, sauntering up like he’s King Dick. “Zero, Zero, Zero… you have something that belongs to me. I’m gonna need it back.”
Zero aims his gun directly at Rage’s forehead, unclicking the safety. “Not gonna happen.”
Rage smirks, his eyes finally landing on me. “Thing is… Oakley here has a target on her back. You gonna risk putting a target on yours, too?”
Neon takes a step closer to Rage, a low growl reverberating from his chest, but I pull him back.
Rage widens his eyes, turning to look at Neon. “I see you’ve still got a hard-on for her, Neon… you might want to watch that. Hard shit tends to break easily… don’t they, Nic?”
I flare my nostrils, hating the mere fact that asshole is here but say nothing out of fear that if I open my mouth, I won’t be able to control what comes out, making matters worse.
“What? You got nothing to say? You’re usually so full of fight and fire. Have these Defiance douches finally put a muzzle on you?”
Neon steps forward grabbing Rage by his cut and shoving him backward forcefully. Everyone else raises their guns higher, aiming at everyone else as the two men face off.
Rage chuckles, bringing his arms up and jerking free of Neon with a single thrust. He tuts mockingly at Neon, who’s clearly enraged. “Poor little Neon… swept up in Oakley’s wake. The thing about being swept up is, it usually comes after the storm. But I can tell you now, Neon, this is the calm before the storm. You think we’re the tornado? We’re nothing on what Oakley will do to you… that bitch is an extinction-level event. And I can promise you, it won’t be the Heathens’ extinction.” He chuckles. “Oh, how I do look forward to seeing the downfall of the great Defiance MC.”
“You don’t know shit!�
� I finally blurt out, now unable to control myself.
“Oh, she speaks. Anything else you want to say now you’re being brave?”
“Just that you’re a jackass,” I mumble under my breath, making the Defiance brothers chuckle.
“What was that? I didn’t catch it,” Rage growls.
“Just said I’d love to smoke some great grass. Got a hankering for something to take the edge off, you know?” I lie.
Zero smirks.
Rage furrows his brow. “You never smoked weed while you were with us. Always said it could show up in your testing for the NHRA.”
“And that’s one hundred percent true, but I’m not racing right now, am I?”
Rage smirks. “Because you’re hiding from us and look at you out in the open where we can find you. Doing a great job of protecting her there, Neon.”
Neon curls his lip, and I reach out, grabbing his arm to hold him back. “Leave it, Neon. He’s not worth it.”
Rage snorts out a laugh. “Finally, the truth comes out… you think we’re not worth it. All this time, I thought we could have been something… you and me, Nic…” I widen my eyes, then he lets out a loud belly laugh. “Who am I kidding. The next time I see you, Oakley… you’re a dead woman… that’s a promise. But I’m gonna let you wait… stew on it for a while. You’ll never know when your end is near… just to make the tension all that more tantalizing. It’s more for me, you understand?”
Neon aims his gun higher at Rage. “You and your men leave. Now. Before this starts to get bloody. We don’t take kindly to threats. And you just made a big one to one of our own. So, if you don’t get on your bike and fuck the hell off, we’re gonna have a hell of a problem, you and me.”
Rage leans closer, his forehead pressing against the barrel of Neon’s gun. “I look forward to when we have our time together, Neon… it’s going to be so fucking sweet.” Rage winks at Neon, then wraps his hand around the length of Neon’s gun and kisses the tip for good measure like the freak he is. Then he shoves Neon’s hand to the side and starts walking back to his ride, his men following him without a single fist thrown or one drop of blood spilled.
