Page 68 of Riding the Edge

Chapter Twenty

“Are you going to tell us what this is all about?” Enzo asks.

Tearing my eyes away from the putz three lanes over, I look at my two youngest sons.

“Yeah, Dad, you’re starting to freak us out,” Frankie adds as he stops entering our names into the machine.

“Can’t a father just hang out with his sons?” I argue, rising from my chair. Moving to the rack of bowling balls, I pretend to be occupied with picking the right ball but, my attention is aimed at Maria’s pal, Lenny. Apparently, the balding bastard is a regular here and real tight with all the ladies. He’s had a flock of them surrounding him since me and the boys walked in here. I don’t know if I’m relieved Maria is nowhere in sight or if I’m pissed that I drove here to watch the Mack Daddy of Rab’s get his freak on.

“I thought we were going to visit Nico,” Enzo says.

“Change in plans,” I mumble, grabbing a ball.

With Alvarez scheduled to pay Nico a visit, I decided to steer clear of the hospital. Pipe was going to be floating around, making sure our new friend was a man of his word and once Alvarez severed ties with Nico and he had some time to cool down, I’d drop in. I also needed to figure out what I was going to say to him. Just because I got Alvarez to release him of his prospecting duties, didn’t mean Nico’s desire to join a club would just disappear. The kid was on a mission to be a fucking biker and if I know my son, he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. The next club he tries to join may not be fearful of the Satan’s Knights and use him to bait us. At least if he’s a Knight, I have some sort of control over keeping him safe.

“Come on, Dad,” Frankie complains. “You didn’t take us bowling when we were kids. Now, we’re adults and you’re ready to buy us happy meals.”

Lifting my head, I look between the two of them.

“Was I really that much of a shit dad?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Frankie says.

“Yeah, well your brother has a different opinion,” I tell him. “And you’re not quite an adult yet, buddy.”

“Maria Bianci!” Enzo exclaims, causing my eyes to sweep the place in search of her.

“What about her?” Frankie questions.

“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?” Enzo asks me. “You wanted to see her.”

“Wait,” Frankie says, holding up a hand. “You’ve got a thing for Mrs. Bianci?”

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter. Not ready to look them in the eye and lie, I focus on throwing the ball down the lane. Knocking down three pins, I turn back to them and snarl. “We’re here to bowl.”

“Then, I should point out, you’re a horrible bowler,” Enzo says, eying my frame. Lifting three fingers, he shakes his head and smirks. “You’re also a shitty liar, pop.”

“I didn’t know it was a crime to spend time with your kids,” I retort.

Grabbing the ball, I send it down the lane with a little more aggression and manage to drop another three pins.

“It’s only a crime when you make us do something we all suck at,” Enzo replies.

“Speak for yourself,” I say. “I’m getting the hang of this shit.”

“Didn’t you used to be on a league?”

“Yeah, when Nico was a baby,” I reply, dropping into the seat next to Frankie. “Who goes?”

“I do,” Frankie replies. Instead of taking his turn he crosses his arms and eyes me curiously. “You’re really not going to tell us, are you?”

“There is nothing to tell,” I argue. “Me and Maria are friends.”

“Friends that sometimes fuck?” Enzo presses, wiggling his eyebrows. “I got a few of those.”

Jesus Christ.

“I bet you do,” I grunt. “Just make sure you’re safe,” I add as I rack my brain trying to remember if I gave him the conversation about the birds and the bees. Knowing me, I probably left that task to his mother. Realizing Frankie is silent beside me, I turn to my youngest.

---