Page 77 of Dozer

“No.” I rubbed a bit of grease from my knuckles. “But I don’t want you fucking her if I’m not there.”

He laughed and started his motorcycle. “Fuck, Doze. She already laid down that rule.”

“She still wants you with us.”

Romeo rested his hands on his motorcycle seat. “What about you? She’s your girlfriend now. Are you sure you’re going to be okay sharing her?”

I blew out a long exhale, letting go of my fear he’d be pissed. “Yeah, I want you there.”

“Say hello to Tank.” Romeo smiled, released the clutch, put his feet on the pegs, and rolled out of the driveway.

I clipped on my helmet and followed Romeo down the street. He headed in the direction of the MC, and I swallowed the lump of uneasiness that alwaysseemed to lodge in my throat when I had to see my mom.

Sundays weren’t our normal visiting day with my dad. But after I’d blown off last weekend, I made the commitment to see him this weekend.

Once I’d dropped off the window for new glass, I rode to my mom’s house. Her car sat under the carport. I assumed she was alone, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she picked up her latest random from a bus stop.

“Mom?”

“Hi,” she said a bit breathless. Clothes filled her arms. She dropped them into the open suitcase on the couch.

Plunking down next to it, I picked up a bikini top with the price tag still attached. “Going somewhere?”

She plucked it from my hands and shoved it into the suitcase. “Steve invited me to go with him to Vegas. He should be here any minute, and I’m not ready.”

“You’re supposed to say you’re going to the country club to visit your old man.” I pulled my cigarettes from my pocket and lit one. The first drag felt good filling and burning my lungs. I blew the smoke toward the ceiling.

“You should quit smoking.”

“You should quit fucking around on my dad.”

“Smoke if you want.” She rested a hand on her hip.

“Do you think I’m going to tell you to fuck who you want?”

She tsked. “I don’t need your permission.”

Normally, I had a filter that kept me from spewing my thoughts at my mother. Not today. I took a long pull off my cigarette, watching the paper sizzle and burn.

“I smoke about a pack a day. That’s twenty cigarettes between my lips. How many guys are you going to have between yours?”

She dropped her arms to her sides. “Fuck you, Kevin.”

“Nah, I think we can draw the line at fucking your kid.”

“I don’t give a shit what you say. You don’t pay my bills, and you don’t live here. In fact, I’m just a storage unit for your shit. I’m not doing this with you again.” She growled and sorted her clothes with jerking movements.

Fuck, I’d pissed her off.

Good. I hope she drowned in a vat of guilt.

“He’s expecting us today.”

“No, Kevin, he’s expecting you.”

“Call me Dozer. I hate my fucking name.”

She heaved a heavy exhale and braced her hands on her hips again. “I don’t have to explain my actions to you. You’re just like him. Putting that fucking motorcycle club above everything else. If he gave a shit about me, he’d be here.” She pointed a finger in my face. “So don’t tell me about fucking around on him. He’s always been happier riding his bike than riding me.”

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