Page 1 of Oz Wisdom

Chapter 1

Oz stood next to his bike as he flipped his cap backward and put on his helmet. “Tell me again how we ended up on the candy run when we’re the ones with no kids?” he asked Nova.

“I got kids,” Blade reminded them as he buckled his helmet.

“Teenagers who can drive themselves to do this instead of us,” Oz noted.

Blade laughed. “I’m going for the ice. If I sent them, it’d be melted before it made it back to the clubhouse.”

Nova slapped Oz’s back as he passed by. “Just jealous that sweet little face didn’t look up begging Uncle Oz to get her candy.”

“A sweet face that already knows how to manipulate men at the age of nine,” Oz admitted. “And has you wrapped around her finger.”

Nova laughed. “Mercy can be a little tough to resist. She and Kingsleigh will be two tough ladies one day.”

Oz huffed a laugh. “No lie there.”

Oz kicked this bike into gear and rolled toward the road, behind Blade and Nova.

The wind was warm against Oz's face as they headed toward the small gas station nearest the clubhouse. He loved the road. The solitude of being on his bike. His brothers usually nearby as they rolled across country sides, familiar or not. This was what he lived for. The feeling of contentment, acceptance, and solidarity found nowhere else. Even with most of the brothers now fathers or at least hitched, the loyalty of the brotherhood had not waned. He had not been as fortunate as the others at love. He had fallen once but chosen the club over the woman. It stung at the time, especially when she settled down with another. The corners of his mouth lifted thinking of the one woman who had tempted him to consider a lifelong commitment. She might have been worth it, but it didn't happen. She was happy with someone else now. And instead of jealousy, he found himself happy for her.

Plus, he had his own secrets that he had managed to keep to himself. A private life that filled every moment he wasn't with the club. He chuckled inside. Although he found himself curious about the reactions of his brothers if they did discover his secret life, he was content to keep it hidden. At least for now.

Within minutes they arrived at the small building with two gas pumps that appeared to be standing guard of the outdated store. This was one of the very reasons the Troops preferred this business. It was nothing like the big convenience store chains. No. This was a small mom and pop store with no security cameras, that operated on honor and service.

They parked next to the aged building away from the pumps and strolled inside.

“Good morning, boys. Y’all have a good day for riding,” the owner, a gray-haired man, greeted from behind a counter.

“Always a good day to ride,” Blade told him. “But today’s family day at the clubhouse.”

“That’s even better,” the woman next to the owner praised. “What can we help with today?”

Oz smiled to himself at the woman’s enthusiasm. She had never shied away from greeting or talking to them as others sometimes did. Mr. and Mrs. Murdock had welcomed them from the first day they stepped foot in their establishment many years ago, when the clubhouse was moved from the other side of town to the outskirts of it only a few miles past here.

He followed Nova to the short aisle of chips and candies as Blade talked to the Murdocks.

The weathered wooden door creaked open behind them, and a voice boomed from across the store. "Hurry up. We have places to be."

Oz snapped his head toward the voice. Drifter. His gaze fell onto a woman as she gave a jerky nod and hurried through the maze of aisles toward the large restroom sign. Taylor. He had seen her for the first time many years ago when he rode with Brick to the bank to see Nealy. She was only nineteen then and had been bright eyed and seemed to be full of life and ready for adventure. He shook his head. Apparently, she had traveled down the wrong road to adventure. She appeared a timid frail girl now. Such a contrast to the beautiful woman she was before.

"I swear they stop just because we're here."

Nova twisted toward Oz. "Most likely. Grab some candy for the kids and let's get out of here.”

“I don’t need to bribe them with candy. I tell them stories,” Oz reminded Nova.

“Sweets will move you up the ladder faster. Besides.” Nova grinned. “Sugar them up so their daddies can enjoy the aftermath.”

Oz laughed and stooped toward the bottom shelf, scooping up a handful of ring pops when a voice brought his attention back toward Nova.

"I hear you're married," the woman whispered.

"So?" Nova replied as he counted out packs of gum.

"How's Venus?" she asked.

"Ruby is fine," Nova answered and stepped to pass her.

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