Page 4 of Frosty the Biker

“You can’t come to dinner,” I guessed, a little sad. Yet I completely understood.

“I’m sorry. Paul called in sick and they asked if I could work. He has food poisoning.”

“It’s okay. Another time. Mom will be disappointed, but she’ll live.” I chuckled.

A couple of days later, I was heading over to Chambers. Dalton was working a double because Paul was still out sick.

After parking, I reached over to grab the container and bag of food I’d picked up. I was bringing Dalton lunch and fresh cookies as an apology for the argument over that stupid lipstick. After he explained and I had time to cool off, I felt like an ass for tripping out.

When I got out of my car, I walked toward the front door of the grocery store. There was a young girl with long blonde hair and bright pink lipstick, standing out front. She was holding her phone to her ear and a red apron in her hand. I recognized her as one of the cashiers. If I remembered correctly, she just graduated high school.

“I’m so excited Dalton! I love the zoo.” I stopped in my tracks as she ducked her head and twirled her hair around a finger. “Mmm, that sounds like fun. If you’re good, maybe I’ll give you a blowie in your truck again. Did you find my lipstick in your truck? I think I lost it after I reapplied.” She giggled annoyingly. “Yep. Okay. Saturday at nine. See you then, baby.”

My jaw was unhinged, but I couldn’t help it.

The little twit ended her call and dropped her phone in her purse. She passed by me and gave me a smug grin.

“Excuse me,” I called out, stopping her in her tracks.

She glanced over her shoulder with huge doe eyes. “Me?”

“Yes. Were you just talking to the Dalton that works here?” I asked, trying to remain calm. It wouldn’t surprise me if steam was literally coming from my ears.

“Yes! Do you know him? He’s the sweetest ever. I’m pretty sure he’s going to ask me to be his girlfriend soon.” The big pink smile on her face made the green-eyed monster within want to tell her it was a shitty color on her. Instead, I bit my tongue. The girl might not have any clue who I was. Dalton may just be an absolute scumbag while she was an innocent kid.

“Don’t waste your time,” I finally bit out as I dropped the food in the trash. Then I spun on my heel and returned to my car. My eyes burned and my chest hurt.

Dalton told me he worked all weekend and he’d be busy since they were short-staffed. He told me not to worry about stopping by to try to take a lunch with him because he likely wouldn’t be able to get a break.

I started my vehicle and drove home. By the time I got there, I was all cried out and I’d made my decision to leave. My cousin had been trying to get me to move to Chicago with her for several months. It sounded like a good place to start over.

If I stayed in New Orleans, I knew myself and despite my bold promise, I’d probably end up taking him back. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself. I needed a clean break and a clean slate.

“SomethingInTheOrange”—StateofMine

“Dude, come with me to get some shit for the clubhouse,” my brother Dallas said as he kicked the bottom of my foot that was hanging off the bed.

“Fuck off,” I grumbled and pulled the pillow over my head. “I was driving all damn day yesterday. I’m fucking tired.”

In a way, I was glad he had woken me up.

I’d been having another dream about that little kid again. I’d been having visions and dreams of the same little boy for over a year now. It shook me up every time.

Because he looked similar to my childhood pictures, I was sure it was my brother, and I was getting flashes of his life when he was young. He was six years older than me, and I’d only been two when our mom died. So, it was possible. I never saw the kid’s mom in my dreams. Only her arms or her fuzzy figure from the back. So, it seemed possible that it was our mom.

It would match the memories I had of her—fuzzy and unclear.

“Don’t be a loser. You crashed out at midnight. It’s ten in the morning,” he shot back.

I lifted the pillow from my face to glare at him from my comfy position in his guest bedroom. “So? I don’t have to go into the shop until tomorrow at three. Let me be lazy.”

“Bro, I need help. Come on,” he beseeched.

“Can’t one of your brothers do it?” I groaned.

“No. They’re all tasked out. Besides you owe me for letting you stay with me indefinitely until you get on your feet and find a place.” He thumped my foot again.

“Really? That’s low. Besides, I told you I’d hook you up with some free tattoos for letting me stay here.” I sat up as I glowered at him.

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