Page 49 of Jacob

Shrugging the leather vest over his jacket, the bald biker studied himself in the mirror. “Run’s over,” he said. “Time to get back to business.”

“Shit’s not done here.”

With a heavy sigh, Dash turned and leaned against the dresser. “With Lollipop Girl?”

Jacob scrubbed the back of his head, running his fingers along the shaved portion and up into the half that had thick length. Sitting on the bed with Dash dressed in his full leathers eying him the way he did right there brought him back to being sixteen again, the last time they were at the rally when Sparrow didn’t show up. His stomach knotted with the same feelings of rejection now as it did then.

“Well.” His sponsor pushed off the dresser and did a cursory glance around the room. “The candy didn’t make its way back. I suppose it’s a good sign, but then again, neither did the girl.” He grabbed his small duffle bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Any girl. Not sure who cock blocked me worse, you or Prez,” he mused with a snort.

“Ehh,” a twinge of guilt struck Jacob. “Sorry about that. Bitch wanted on my bike.”

“No shit?” His sponsor laughed. “They always try.” He shrugged. “No matter. Time to go home.”

“Think I’m gonna head out tomorrow.”

At the door, Dash arched a brow.

“I need to finish something.”

His club brother nodded.

Jacob just had to see it through. He had to figure her out. One more shot. He’d take one more chance, third time was a charm, right?

Thud. The duffle dropped to the floor before the bed dipped beside him as Dash sat. He pulled out his pack of cigarettes, rested one on his lip before offering another to Jacob.

The younger biker accepted.

Next came the silver skull zippo lighter. The orange flame danced before the end of one cigarette and then the other as each man puffed them to life. After he put everything back in his pocket, his sponsor took a deep drag of the smoke and pinched it between his fingers, examining the cherry when he spoke, exhaling through his nose. “I’ve been watching over you since before you ever sprouted your first ball hair.” His gaze lifted as though he were scanning the opposite wall for something. “You think I’m gonna leave you now?Romeo?” He emphasized Jacob’s road name.

Jacob regarded his friend. “You don’t have to look out for me anymore.”

Dash laughed, running his tongue along his bottom lip. “You ever read that Shakespeare shit?”

“No.”

“Do you know what happens to Romeo and Juliet?”

“No.”

Shaking his head, Dash put the cigarette back in his mouth. “Didn’t see the movie either, huh?”

Jacob scoffed. “No.”

“They were two kids from rival families, in love. They couldn’t be together. They tried, shit happened, and in the end, they died,” his sponsor gave, what Jacob could only assume, was some insanely simple summary.

“Okay, what does that have to do with anything?”

The question awarded him a blank stare. “Seriously?”

He returned the stare.

“Why do you think I gave you the road name Romeo?”

Jacob shrugged.

His sponsor rolled his eyes. “I’m going to stay to make sure you two star-crossed lovers don’t kill yourselves.”

The younger biker furrowed his brows. “I don’t think that’s an option.”

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