Page 2 of Pigeon

“Church tonight at 7pm. Everyone needs to be there,” Gunner states.

“Something up?” I ask.

“Yeah, we have decisions to be made that can’t wait until our regular meeting,” Gunner answers while setting his cup down and striding to the door.

I watch Gunner’s eyes widen in horror a second before he bolts out the door. For a big guy, he can move fast. Due to his earlier stunt this morning, I feel nothing but joy at his fear. Looking out the window, Horse and I know exactly why Gunner’s on the move. I shove Horse out of my way, so I can make it outside to view the carnage that’s about to occur.

Watching Tessie’s Jeep barrel down our street, I briefly wonder how Gunner intends to protect his Harley from becoming another casualty of Tessie’s driving skills. Horse and I’ve learned our lesson and never park our bikes in the driveway. Or even close to it, in fact. Gunner will never make that mistake again, either.

I watch my President haul ass to his bike, but he must realize he doesn’t have enough time to move it to safety. Instead, he places himself between the oncoming Jeep and his bike. Arms in the air, waving wildly, Gunner starts shouting the word “stop” repeatedly. His tactic works to a point and gains Tessie’s attention. I can’t stop the laugh that escapes me when she grins and waves back.

“Stop that fucking Jeep!” roars Gunner in a voice I’ve never heard him use before.

With Tessie’s attention on Gunner, she takes the turn a little too short. A little too fast, too. Cutting across the corner of our neighbor’s yard, she clips the edge of his privacy fence, dragging a section of it behind the Jeep. Sliding the Jeep to a stop inches from Gunner and his bike, I watch a dust cloud slowly roll over my club president. When it passes, I see a very large man bent over, head hanging, hands on his knees, and I’m sure I hear him give up a little sob.

Luckily, the only damage is to a section of the fence this time. And, quite possibly, Gunner’s boxers. I’m laughing too hard to hear what Tessie says to Gunner when she exits the Jeep, but I do witness the pat on the back she gives him as she walks past.

Seeing movement near the Jeep, I watch Mac flutter to the ground and fall onto his back.

“Oh, fuck me! Fuck me!” Mac screeches while flopping around dramatically. He looks like he’s having a seizure and swearing nonstop during it.

After clearing his throat a few times, Gunner straightens, levels his gaze on Tessie, and asks in a quiet voice, “Why, the fuck, is Mac in a vehicle that you’re driving?”

“Axel told me to drop him off at the bakery,” Tessie answers while looking at her phone.

It’s probably best she’s not looking at Gunner’s face. It’s a few shades lighter than normal, and it’s not a happy face at all.

“You whole, Mac?” Gunner questions.

“Make it stop, Dad!” Mac moans.

“Tessie?” Gunner growls.

Tessie continues messing with her phone and doesn’t respond.

Gunner tries again with the same result. Gunner takes a few steps to stand directly in front of Tessie before barking her name at an astounding volume. Tessie jumps, and her eyes fly upward to meet Gunner’s.

“Give me your keys,” he orders.

“Why?” Tessie warily asks.

“Because if you don’t, I’m going to systematically take your Jeep apart with a sledgehammer. Then I’m going to find your brother-in-law and maim him for buying it for you. You are no longer allowed to drive it on club property until you can prove you have the ability to do so in a safe manner,” Gunner answers in a deadly voice.

Tessie hesitates but makes the smart decision and drops her keys into his hand. I breathe a sigh of relief that Tessie’s smart and knows this isn’t a battle she’d win.

Gunner stalks to the Jeep, scoops up Mac’s still prone, twitching body on his way, and climbs inside.

“I’ll walk!” Mac screams out in protest.

Gunner starts the Jeep and quickly maneuvers it until it’s parked properly in the driveway. Exiting the Jeep with Mac, he pockets the keys and heads to his bike. Slinging a leg over it, he sits before looking our direction.

“You working today, Tessie?” he questions.

“Yeah.”

“Pigeon, get her to the shop after she apologizes to the neighbor. Horse, get his fence fixed today and get me a receipt for the materials. The cost will be deducted from your pay this week, Tessie. Call Vex and Axel and tell both to meet me at the clubhouse right the fuck now. Mac, hang tight. You’re riding today,” Gunner states before starting his bike.

“Weeeee!” Mac shouts as they hit the street and roar away.

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