The Last Riders - First Four Votes (20 page)

P
enni heard
the distinctive notes of her cell phone ringing as she lay on her bed reading a book. The caller ID brought a smile to her lips. With a swipe of her finger, she answered.

“Hey bro, what’s up?”

“Why does anything have to be up for me to call? Can’t I call and check on my little sister?”

A snort sounded clearly through the line.

“How is school?”

“Good, would have been better if Mom and Dad would actually let me go without having to live at home.” Penni hadn’t been able to come up with a valid argument for leaving home when they lived within a few miles of the University of Ohio.

“I could help convince them to let you go to an out of state college.”

“What’s the catch?” Suspicion laced her voice.

“It has to be the college of my choice.”

“What’s the name of the college?” Penni was almost bouncing in excitement.

“Breckinridge College.”

“Don’t recognize the name. Let me check it out on the web. Hang on.”

Before he could protest, the phone was set down. It didn’t take long before she came back on the line. “No, thanks.” All excitement was gone from her voice.

“Come on, give it a chance.”

“No.”

His snort could be heard over the line this time. “What will it take?”

“A car, a generous allowance and a vacation of my choice every summer.”

“Okay. Do the paperwork. I’ll talk to the parents.”

“That’s not all.” She wasn’t finished.

“Penni…” he warned.

“A reason?”

Several minutes of silence met her question.

“Someone needs a friend.”

That she could do. “Deal.”

Shade hung up the phone as Beth and Lily approached the picnic table he was sitting at, waiting for everyone to return from the buffet.

“Where’s Razer?” Beth asked.

“Getting the drinks.”

The two women sat down on one side of the table with filled plates. The church picnic was filled with the congregation and The Last Riders celebrating the Fourth of July. It was a beautiful day with everyone laughing and having fun. Everyone except Lily, who had spent the last hour trying unsuccessfully to convince her sister to let her switch colleges.

Razer set drinks down in front of everyone before sitting down next to Beth, who promptly gave him her shoulder.

“How long you going to stay mad?” he asked, picking up his hamburger.

“At least past that date you had tatted on your razor knife.”

“Still can’t understand why you’re so mad. I thought it would make you happy,” Razer said in his own defense.

“Most women get engaged with a romantic dinner and a ring, not the guy pointing to a tattoo then saying ‘let’s do it’.”

“No sense in putting it off with a bun in the oven,” Razer shrugged.

Beth choked on her hamburger. “I am not pregnant,” she said to Lily who was laughing at the couple’s argument.

“You will be if we miss that date,” Razer threatened. “Take a drink before you choke to death.”

Beth angrily lifted the paper cup to her lips, staring in bemusement at the diamond glinting at her from the bottom of the empty cup.

Beth shakily reached inside, pulling out the beautiful ring.

Razer took it from her, sliding it on her finger and then giving her a tender kiss.

“Is this romantic enough?” he asked, brushing the tear off her cheek with his thumb.

“It’s perfect.”

“
T
ouchdown
, and the Bulldogs pull ahead six to zero!” A cheer went up from the crowd as the first half ended. Winter and Emily braced themselves for the flood of customers that would take advantage of halftime to buy a snack.

“Here we go,” Emily said as the fans began to arrive.

“We might get lucky and set a record crowd tonight,” Winter said, hoping her words proved correct. The money they earned in the concession stand would go towards buying a new scoreboard. As principal of the high school, she was expected to be at home games, though typically as a spectator. Tonight, she had volunteered to work the concession stand so one of the parent volunteers would be given an opportunity to watch their son play in the game. Emily, her secretary, had also volunteered, but her reasons hadn’t been so altruistic. Emily was determined to pursue the football coach.

They worked steadily until the game finally resumed then the customers returned to being sporadic.

“What are you doing after the game?”

“Going home and putting my feet up,” Winter replied. “You?”

“I plan on asking Mr. TNT for a ride home then asking him to come inside to show me his play book.”

Winter rolled her eyes at Emily’s reply. The football coach had quickly been given the nickname TNT. Winter had laughed the first time she’d heard the nickname, but after she had been introduced to the new coach, she’d had to agree with their assessment. He was good-looking enough to knock any woman off her feet.

“May all your fantasies come true,” Winter joked.

“You’re not seeing Loker tonight? Is he still out of town?” Emily asked as she scooped popcorn into a bag for one of the students.

“Actually, he’s here somewhere watching the game.” Winter bit her lip, wishing she was brave enough to be as assertive with men as her secretary. She had been seeing Loker James on and off for the last two years. Unfortunately for her, he didn’t seem to want to fulfill any of her fantasies.

They had met during a school committee meeting and developed a casual friendship. When he was in town and needed a date, he would always call her. Winter had never turned him down, always hoping each time that their friendship would develop into something more. It never did, though; he had barely tried to kiss her.

“I bet it’s hard on him having to constantly fly back and forth between Kentucky and Washington.”

Winter nodded her head, “I told him he needed a vacation, that he was looking tired, but he said now isn’t a good time. His business is keeping him busy in Washington. Then, when he flies back to Kentucky, his father Ton is always in some kind of trouble.”

“I heard about his father hitting Beth Cornett’s car when he was drunk,” Emily said, taking a handful of popcorn for herself.

“Loker said he wasn’t drunk and that her sister, Lily, was actually driving the car,” Winter corrected her. She was used to gossip being more fiction than facts and she usually didn’t respond to it, but Ton was Loker’s father. She didn’t want anyone to think that he had been driving under the influence when it wasn’t the truth.

“So if he’s in town, why not hook up with him tonight?”

Because I’ve been trying to put some space between us
, Winter thought to herself. He had called earlier, offering Winter a ride to the game, which she had politely refused, yet now she was regretting her decision.

“I’m tired of beating my head against a closed door. He only sees me as a friend.” Winter had even considered the possibility of him being gay. Treepoint was a small town with old-fashioned morals. He was on several school committees and was even thinking of running for a soon to be vacant seat on the school board. If anyone found out he was gay, he would find himself ostracized.

“Maybe you just haven’t used the right bait.”

“There’s not a lot here to bait a hook with,” Winter said wryly. She was under no illusions about her looks. She was average height, neither pretty nor coyote ugly, with brown hair and eyes that accompanied a body that was so thin that her friends would bluntly ask if she was anorexic. Even when she loaded herself with carbs, she barely weighed a hundred pounds.

“Don’t put yourself down like that, you’re really striking,” Emily responded.

“For a middle-aged high school principal,” Winter finished for her. Emily began to disagree with her, so Winter decided to change the subject. “Since we haven’t had a customer in a few minutes, do you mind if I take a break?”

“Not at all. I’ll start doing the cleanup so we’ll be ready to close as soon as the game ends.”

“Okay, I won’t take long.”

Emily nodded, already starting to clean the grill.

Fixing herself an order of nachos and taking a bottle of water, she left the concession stand. Seeing a small table with a view of the game, she sat, picking at her nachos. Watching the crowd more than the game, she spotted Loker talking to Ben Stiles, a member of the school board. She wondered what they were talking about that had them looking so serious. Winter saw Ben say something before going to the restroom a few feet away, leaving Loker standing alone.

She rose from the table, carrying her empty containers to the trashcan, stopping in her tracks when The Last Riders walked by Loker. The motorcycle club had moved into town three years ago. Since then, it had become a familiar sight to see them riding throughout the town on their motorcycles. Every so often, a group of them would attend a sporting event in town. They had so far, to Winter’s knowledge, never caused any trouble, other than nailing every female that threw themselves their way.

It was the look that Loker was giving one of the women in the group that had Winter coming to a full stop. His usually cold expression had changed into one of predatory intent and the slight smile on his lips left no doubt as to what he was thinking. The woman was everything Winter was not.

She had short, spiked blonde hair and was wearing tight jeans with high-heeled biker boots. Top that off with her white shirt, which was low cut, showing an abundance of cleavage that Loker seemed unable to keep his eyes off, and any doubts she had about his sexual preferences were laid to rest. The woman gave Loker a provocative smile, but kept following behind her friends. Loker continued to watch her until Ben returned and then his expression once again became an impassive mask.

Winter went back to the concession stand, sick with jealousy. Loker had never looked at her the way he had looked at the seductive blonde. She helped Emily finish cleaning up, and laughed when she left with a determined look on her face. Then Winter turned off the lights, locked the door and began to walk towards her car when she saw Loker standing in her path.

“Busy night?”

“Yes,” Winter responded nervously as she started walking briskly towards the parking lot. Loker, calm like always, leisurely followed by her side.

“Would you like to get something to eat before you go home?”

“No, thanks, I’m not hungry,” Winter answered.

“I have to go out of town tomorrow, but I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. Your cousin Vincent is having his birthday party the fifteenth, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

Loker gave her a sharp look at her curt reply.

“Do you need a date?” Her cousin was president of the local bank and a member of the local school board. Loker was constantly asking to go to the various functions that Vincent invited her to, but she couldn’t stand Vincent. She often only attended because of Loker’s insistence.

“I don’t plan on going.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to, Loker. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m tired and want to go home.” Loker took her arm, preventing her from getting into her car.

“Are you mad at me for something?” he asked sharply.

“Why would I be angry?” Winter snapped.

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”

Winter sighed to herself. He was clueless. For the last two years she thought they would eventually move toward a more intimate relationship, but after seeing his reaction to the blonde, she was finally admitting to herself that nothing was going to change.

Over her shoulder she saw Emily getting inside the football coach’s car as he held the door open; she was blatantly flirting with him. Perhaps that had been where she had gone wrong.

“I could fix us dinner at my house,” she said with a soft smile, ignoring his question.

Loker’s eyes narrowed and his hand dropped from her arm.

“I don’t want you to go to any trouble. I thought we would just grab a quick dinner. My plane leaves at six in the morning, so I need an early night.”

“You could stay at my house tonight and leave from there,” Winter suggested, shamelessly asking him to spend the night with her. Holding his eyes with hers, she felt her checks redden in embarrassment.

Loker studied her flushed face for a minute before replying. “That’s a tempting invitation, but I haven’t packed yet. I’ll call you when I get back in town. We could go to Vincent’s party and make a night of it.”

“I’d like that.” Instantly changing her mind about going to the party.

He glanced at his watch. “I should go, it’s getting late.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against her cheek. After telling her he would call, he left her staring at his abrupt departure.

There was no doubt in Winter’s mind that, if it had been the blonde issuing the invitation, he wouldn’t have refused. He had shown no hesitation in refusing hers, however; seemingly more concerned with Vincent’s party. She had been a high school principal long enough to tell when she was being manipulated. The sad part was, she let him get away with it.

Winter frowned. She wasn’t wealthy, and even though Vincent was her relative, she had no influence over his business decisions. She sighed silently, getting into her car. Loker would be back in two weeks and it was past time they had a conversation about their relationship.

T
he Pink Slipper
was busy tonight
, Winter thought while looking around the busy bar.

“Would you like something to drink, Winter?” Shelly asked politely.

“I’ll take an iced tea, thank you.” She gazed around the room as Shelly Scott and Lexi Clark talked. The president and vice-president of the PTA had asked her to accompany them to pick up a large donation for the new scoreboard, which was being made by the owner of the Pink Slipper. Usually the athletic director would go, but his wife had gone into labor that morning and Winter had been asked to extend her gratitude on behalf of the students. She loved her job, but she was getting tired of the politics involved.

Loud, feminine laughter drew her gaze to a table a few feet away where Winter was surprised when she recognized a familiar face within the boisterous group. Beth Cornett had helped care for her mother toward the latter stages of her cancer. They also attended the same church every Sunday. She almost choked on her tea when she heard Beth call them by their names; Sex Piston, Crazy Bitch, and Killyama. Her eyes widened when she realized the group of women Beth was with must belong to a motorcycle club, a conclusion that was easily confirmed when their male counterparts entered the bar and didn’t seem happy about their women being in there.

Winter tried to be polite, but was unable to restrain her curiosity from watching the argument take place, since she practically had a front row seat. She was beginning to become concerned for Beth when the door to the bar opened again. This motorcycle club Winter recognized from the jackets they were wearing. The Last Riders took command the second they entered the bar, heading straight to Beth’s table.

“Beth.”

“Razer?”

“Let’s go.”

“Bitch isn’t going nowhere with you or your men.” The woman with her hair teased and crazy eyes answered for Beth then turned to the man who had taken a seat beside her at the table. “Y’all need to get back on your machines and leave us to our fun.”

“Beth, let’s go, I’m not telling you again.”

Beth’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You don’t have the right to tell me shit. Crazy Bitch is right; you guys need to leave us alone. We were minding our own business until everyone interfered.”

“Minding what was in the pants of those pussies you bitches were dancing with when we showed up is more like it,” snapped one of the bikers.

“Yeah, I don’t care what you think, Ace. We came to celebrate my shop opening Monday. The same one you, or any of you assholes, didn’t want to help paint or do shit to help with. I don’t want you guys here tonight; you don’t deserve to be part of our party.”

“I didn’t see that douche bag whose throat you had your tongue down doing any hammering there, either.”

“Yeah, well, he was going to do plenty later tonight,” Sex Piston taunted the biker.

“Was he, or were they?” He jerked his head towards the other club. “Did you plan on hitting their clubhouse next?” the one named Ace asked in a menace-laden voice.

“You kidding me? We were going to fuck around, not betray the club. If we were going to do that, we would have picked one worth the punishment of breaking a rule.”

“Did she just put us down?” one of The Last Riders asked. Winter couldn’t believe how huge the bald-headed biker was. He was easily the biggest one in the bar.

“Yes, she did, dumbass,” Sex Piston mocked.

Winter saw four women push to the front of the men, standing by The Last Riders. She recognized the attractive one from church. Pastor Dean had even introduced the woman to the congregation as Evie.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” an angry voice asked. Winter’s eyes looked toward the biker who spoke sharply to the women, unable to believe what her eyes were telling her.

“Loker James?” Beth’s questioning voice reverberated through Winter’s shocked mind. She couldn’t suppress the gasp from escaping her lips, drawing his attention.

Their gazes met across the room as she took in his tight leather pants, boots and black t-shirt with a leather vest. The Last Rider’s patches were on the back, proclaiming his membership. The tribal sleeve down one arm was another shock; she hadn’t even known he had a tattoo, much less one so large. She had never seen him in anything other than expensive suits with his hair immaculately brushed. Now, the dark mass was longer than she would ever believe he would wear it, making him appear just as dangerous as the others standing next to him. Loker had always displayed a brooding presence with his sophisticated appearance. In his biker gear, there was no appearance of sophistication; nothing was civilized about this man. This Loker James was someone to watch warily then get the hell out of his way, which is what everyone in the restaurant was doing.