by KE Osborn
I laugh as we walk out to the parking lot to head back to the motel. We have the rest of the day to hang about doing whatever we want.
For me, I only have one thing on my mind.
Talking to Neala.
TREMOR
We’ve been back at the motel for hours mingling around the side of the motel, but I need to find a moment to talk to Neala alone. I’m standing back observing her every move, waiting, watching, hoping for a chance where I can make a move. Then I see it. She walks into our room, alone. I decide this is the moment I need to take the opportunity to talk to her about last night.
To explain myself.
Walking with a purposeful stride, I get to our door casually looking back to see if anyone’s watching. No one is, so I walk in closing the door behind me. As I walk in, I can’t see her. The bathroom door is closed. So, I take a breath casually sitting on the end of my bed waiting for her to come out.
It doesn’t take long until the door is opening. My stomach swirls as she walks through, her head down as she wipes her hands on her jeans not noticing I’m in here.
“Neala,” I murmur in a lowered voice.
“Fuck!” she almost screams as she jumps almost a foot in the air, falling back against the wall. I tense as she grasps at her chest like she’s trying to slow her heartbeat manually, but it isn’t working. “Jesus Christ, Tremor. Scare a girl half to death.” She edges off the wall walking toward me as if she’s going to keep moving past me, so I do the only thing I can think of.
“I didn’t sleep with her.”
She stops midstride looking at me, her eyes wide as her breath catches in her throat. Then it’s like something clicks inside of her. She looks away from me, crossing her arms over her chest, the wall coming back up. “Well, it’s not like it’s any of my business, but I’m glad. If not for me, then for Chloe.”
I tense up, my muscles going rigid as I look at her. This has gone on for too long, her thinking Chloe is my girlfriend is tearing her up. I’m a fucking asshole for doing this to her. I open my mouth to tell her the truth, to tell her about last night, to tell her about Chloe, but the door opens suddenly to Torque popping his head through. “We’re having pizza delivered to the motel for dinner. There’s a picnic table area out back. We’re gonna invade it and eat together. Lala can you come help set up?” He rushes out of the room just as quickly as he came in. Guess he was watching me.
She looks at me as I beg her with my eyes to stay, but she tilts her head to the door. “Duty calls.”
I salute her as she walks toward the door.
Then just like that, she’s gone.
All throughout dinner, the guys laughed.
I didn’t.
They all started drinking and having a good time.
I didn’t.
I couldn’t bring myself to be in the right frame of mood tonight. Neala and I are in a weird place. To be honest, I just want to go to bed. I’m tired from not sleeping last night, and my muscles ache from resting against the damn door. I just want to shut my eyes and start tomorrow afresh. So, I’m calling it.
I head off toward the motel room. I don’t even bother to say goodnight to anyone as I wander off from the party. As I get closer to my room, I hear running footsteps behind me and turn to see Neala. I can’t help it as my chest squeezes. She meets me at the door, but we both say nothing as we walk in together.
She looks at me as I glance at her. A fire burns inside of me making my cock throb just taking in her beauty. “You’re staying in tonight?”
“Yeah, don’t think I can handle another night of sleeping outside in the cold guarding your door.”
She opens her eyes wide like shit’s starting to click into place. “You stayed outside our room last night?”
“Yeah, didn’t want to come inside and risk waking you. Those damn shutters did a good job of keeping everyone awake, so I clipped them back to the wall during the night.”
“I wondered why they suddenly stopped, thought the wind must have died down. I noticed they were fixed this morning. Didn’t realize you were there, or I would have told you to come in.” She gnaws on her bottom lip like she’s deep in thought. “Thanks for keeping guard, though. I really appreciate it.” Neala strides over to her bed pulling out her pajamas. I smirk at them as I shrug out of my cut, yanking off my shirt. I feel her eyes on me as I move for my jeans.
“I’m gonna get changed in the bathroom,” she announces quickly before scurrying off toward the bathroom like she’s embarrassed.
I chuckle, pulling off my jeans and boots as I climb into the hard bed in just my boxer briefs. I wait, watching the bathroom door for her to come out. She does, not long after, wearing a cute pair of purple pajamas. She rushes to her bed like she’s ashamed or some shit.
“I’ve seen you in far less, Lala.”
“That’s not the point, Trem,” she quips back.
I let out a small chuckle as I roll on my side facing her as she slides under the covers. “Who thought we could ever sleep in a room in separate beds like this?”
“We’re doing okay.”
I exhale. “Yeah, we’re doing okay.” For that very reason, I decide not to tell her about Chloe right now. I don’t know how she’ll react when I tell her. We’re talking, for this moment we seem to be functioning, so I let it go. “Night, Lala.”
“Night, Trem.”
I lean up flicking off the light sending the room into darkness. I can’t see her much as I lay down, but I can hear her breathing. Her breath is fast like mine. If she’s thinking anything like I am, I know her mind isn’t on damn sleep. But we’re not in a place to be making any kind of moves on each other.
This isn’t the time. It certainly isn’t the place.
Right now, we need to sleep.
So, I roll over, closing my eyes letting my thoughts wash away and the darkness take hold.
The Next Day
As we all walk into the Louisville Auto Arena, the place is alive. There’s even more mechanics walking around today in their small groups. It’s actually quite the buzz. There’s stalls everywhere with new mechanical shit on display for the mechanics to look at and test to see if they want to deal with the distributors. There’s the competition zone where they’re getting set up with the four cars on display for the competitors, and there’s food stalls spaced sporadically too.
It’s a great environment, and as we stroll in, everyone looks at us like they’re in awe of such a turn out from a biker club. Whether they know we’re here with one of their fellow competitors or not, I’m not sure, but they will soon find out.
Zane turns to me looking disheveled and tired. “Fuck man, I’m so beat. I hardly slept a wink last night.”
I raise my brow to him. “Joe keep you up?”
“Yeah, man. I mean first night I was pissed at the guy, but now I’m actually worried for the old coot. His lungs are bad, man. I actually stayed up helping him with his oxygen and shit. I feel for the guy. I don’t even think he should be here today. He needs to be resting.”
I glance at him standing with Sass. He looks as proud as punch, even with the nasal cannula in his nose and the oxygen canister on his hip. “He wouldn’t miss Sass’s big day for anything.”
Zane winces. “Yeah, even if it kills him.”
I wince as we walk in further, then up to the arena. Sass signs in for her speed tire change competition. I glance at Lala, she looks hot today, her hair down in soft waves fanning around her face. Her tight ass in those skin-hugging jeans. Her Defiance branded shirt showing off her perfect tits. Any man here would be stupid not to see how stunning she is. I can’t help but notice Renegade eyeing her too.
I hate the way he leers at her.
The way he studies her.
It makes my motherfucking skin crawl.
NEALA
Everyone’s gearing up for Sass’s big competition. She has to change the tire on a car in record time to beat three other guys. She’s been practicing for this fo
r months. We all know she can do it, she just has to believe it too. Sass steps up to her car after giving Sensei a light kiss. Joe squeezes her shoulder while we all stand behind the red cordoned off rope knowing she’s ready to bring this home.
Excitement builds inside of me as we ready to watch the only girl take on three other men in her field. She’s so fucking strong. Sass steps up to the side of the car, her hands fitted with special gloves, her red bandana on her head, her hair in a ponytail as the clock counts down.
“Three, two, one…” A buzzer sounds.
She bends down along with the three other men starting to undo the lug nuts. I bounce up and down in excitement, but suddenly I feel a presence behind me. I think for a moment it’s probably Tremor, but I know he wouldn’t try anything in public. So, I stop bouncing as a hand slides onto my ass. I stop dead still. I have no idea who this is, and it’s sending my nerves into overdrive. Everyone’s around us cheering in excitement, completely oblivious to someone manhandling me. But I don’t get a sudden rush from it, I don’t get excited as he steps closer behind me, his erection grinding into my ass. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I’m scared to turn around as his hand begins to slide around my front. Opening my eyes wide, my hand moves down to push his away. The tough leather of his wrinkled hand makes me wince as I shudder with revolt.
“You know you want this, Lala. No one’s watching.” Renegade’s hoarse, scratchy voice whispers in my ear over the cheering. I can’t even focus on Sass right now while his hands are all over me. I do the only thing I can think of. I force my ass back into him like Sensei taught me. His hands fly from me as he loses his balance falling back into the crowd. I rush as fast as I can, moving through the sea of people to stand next to Sparx and Trax.
Sparx looks at me furrowing her brow as everyone else continues to cheer on. “You okay?” she asks.
I look back into the crowd from where I escaped to see Renegade watching me, a sneer on his butt-ugly face. “I am now.”
Sparx wraps her arm around me as I look back at the competitors’ arena to see one of the men stand up with his arms in the air, not even a second before Sass. His group cheers as we scream out for her in support. She may have come in a very close second, but fuck if she didn’t do a damned good job. The other two come in not long after as the announcer declares over the speaker. “Coming in at first place with one minute, three seconds, Joshua Dayman from Heartstone’s Garage, Neeew Jersey. Joshua you have won Heartstone’s a year’s worth of Mobil 1 motor oil and a thousand dollars for your garage. Congratulations, Joshua.”
I grimace glancing to Sass who frowns looking to her father, who appears proud as punch of her anyway.
“And coming in a very close second place at one minute, three point two seconds, Ayla Anders from Smokin’ Joe’s Garage, Chicago. You’ve won six months’ worth of Mobil 1 motor oil for Smokin’ Joe’s, and a subscription to Supercharged Monthly. Congratulations to our winners. The competition for the best-built custom engine will be announced in a few hours. For now, enjoy the trade show, eat some food, and rev those engines.”
Sass bounces happily out of the arena over to us. We all congratulate her as Sensei picks her up spinning her around in a circle and planting a short kiss on her lips. “You did it, Sass! You came in second. You nearly had him, too!”
She scrunches up her face. “It was so close. Damn it! Urgh, I’m bummed I didn’t get it for you, Dad.”
Smokin’ Joe steps over taking her into a hug. “Love you, kid… first, second. Doesn’t bother me. Just seein’ you compete is all I wanted. I’m a happy man, kiddo.”
“Right, well, we have the rest of the day until they announce the engine winner. How do you wanna do this, Torque?” Sass asks.
Torque shrugs. “We can either stick together or go off in groups. Whatever everyone’s comfortable with?”
I look at Sass, Sparx, and Foxy trying to give them the hint that I want to talk to them. “Well, I need to pee,” I say probably a little too loudly. All the guys near us all turn up their top lips in disapproval as the girls catch onto my code.
“Me, too,” the girls all reply.
“I’ve heard about periods all being in sync, but bladders? Now I’ve heard of everything,” Trax murmurs. “I got the twins. The bathrooms are just there, so we can watch you from here. Go, have your girl time.”
I grab Sparx’s hand as Foxy and Sass all turn walking with me. We make our way toward the bathroom, and in my rush, I notice Renegade’s talking to a man I don’t recognize. He’s tall, wearing a brown suit, and honestly he looks a little out of place. They appear deep in a heavy discussion and definitely know each other due to the way Renegade pats him on the back. When Renegade glances my way, I quickly avert my eyes and grab hold of Sparx’s hand. We walk a little faster. Once we finally enter the bathroom, I turn my head to look at Sass.
“I’m so excited for you, Sass. Congrats!”
She shakes her head. “Nuh-uh, you didn’t call an emergency girl bathroom break to congratulate me. What the hell is going on?” she asks as we enter.
We all form a small circle in the middle of the room. I let out a sigh. “Renegade, he’s freaking me the fuck out. He was just rubbing all up on me during your competition.”
Foxy groans. “Fucker! I’m gonna tell Torque.”
I tense all over. “We can’t, though. He’s one of the longest-serving brothers here. He’s been with the MC as long as Surge. It would break Torque. I think I can handle it, I somehow just need to set him straight.”
They all scrunch up their faces. “If the boys got hold of this, found out we knew and did nothing—”
“It won’t come to that. I’ll straighten him out. I just had to tell someone ‘cause I feel all icky.”
They all laugh as Sass clicks her tongue to the roof of her mouth. “I get it. Guy’s gross.”
“Not just gross, he’s bad news. I have a bad feeling in my bones. But I don’t want to tell the guys, especially if this feeling is just because I don’t like him, and my emotional distaste for him is what’s at play here.”
“You need to keep us in the loop. Anything else happens, we’ll need to fill the boys in,” Foxy states.
“Okay, thanks for listening, ladies. I feel better now I’ve gotten it out. Anyone actually need to pee?” They all shake their heads as I laugh. “Right, let’s head back.”
We swivel, turning out of the bathroom and head toward the guys. None of them are watching us. We’re about halfway back when a group of five men slide in halting our approach. We all pull to a stop as they look at us. They’re wearing blue overalls with a red handkerchief in the pocket up the top.
Sass stands taller. “I know you.” She looks at the man standing in front, he seems to be the ringleader. “You were in the tire changing competition with me.”
He grits his teeth. “Yeah, I came third. I should have come second.”
We all fold our arms over our chests as Sass lets out a heavy breath. “Why, because I’m a woman?”
“No. I have nothing against women, honestly. I think you’re brave coming into a man’s world trying to be like us, but… you cheated.”
Sass scoffs. “I what now?”
He looks down at her hands. “You wore mechanics gloves. Joshua didn’t. I didn’t. Fourth place didn’t. It gave you an edge, and to me that’s cheating. I want you to withdraw.”
Sass laughs, shaking her head. “Umm… it was within the rule parameters that we could wear them, slick. So no, I won’t be withdrawing. I came in second fair and square. You’re just a sore loser.”
The guys all walk closer, but we’re no fucking pussy girls. We’re biker ladies, so we all stand tall meeting them head-on. I look dead in the eyes of one guy. I can smell what he had for breakfast as we all stare down, but as quickly as I come face to face with him, he’s being pulled back from me. Blinking a few times, I watch Tremor yanking my guy back by his collar, then I notice Sensei, Trax, and Torque are all doing the same. Surge
is here as well, when the first punch is thrown by an overall’s guy.
Then it’s an all-out fist fight. Letting out a squeal, I rush to Sparx’s side. “You better go find your twins,” I blurt out. She rushes past the fray as the rest of us stand back. I watch Tremor duck, then throw one back landing a punch right into the guy’s face. He falls back into a stand holding a display of paint colors. They all splash on the ground as Torque throws his man to the concrete, his red handkerchief flying out of his pocket, landing in the multicolored metallic paint.
I tense up watching Sensei throw a guy through midair as Sass bounces on her toes cheering for her man. Foxy pulls out her cell starting to play a game like she’s bored as I watch Trax lay his fist into another’s stomach while he writhes on the ground.
Surge rolls around wrestling with another as Torque grabs the main guy pulling him up into a headlock, then whistles through the area to grab everyone’s attention. “Oi, this ends now. You come after our women again, we’ll do more than fuckin’ bloody you up. You understand?” he yells in the face of the main culprit.
Tremor, Sensei, Surge, and Trax bring the other men over to line up in front of us. They turn them to face us, so I nudge Foxy to gain her attention. She looks up putting her cell away.
“Apologize,” Torque calls out.
They all grunt as Sass steps forward folding her arms over her chest. “Next time you want to insult me, just remember they’re not the only ones who hit. I do, too. And, slick… I have nails.”
He grunts. “I’m sorry, Ayla. I didn’t mean to insult you as a woman, it’s not like that.”
Torque lets him go. The others follow suit. “There. Wasn’t so hard, was it? Now… run along.”
A man steps out from behind the small crowd that gathered around while the commotion was going on. He whistles gaining everyone’s attention. I glance at him and notice it’s the man in the brown suit, the one who Renegade was talking to. The five guys all step in line at his side as he leers at Tremor. I glance at Tremor, anger seeping from him so visibly it flows from his skin in waves. His hands tighten in fists as he glares. His nostrils are flaring while his neck tightens with the obvious tension. Whoever this man is, Tremor does not like him.
