Page 2 of Rooster's Redemption

Phoebe lifts her head and holds it high, “I do.” She stares right at me and doesn’t release eye contact. “Now you need to leave.” She shoulders past me and inserts her key into the lock, her fingers trembling.

“Is someone after you?” I ask.

She stops turning her key, “What? No! Just leave, Lucas.” She opens the front door to the apartment complex and shuts it on me before I can push my way in. Phoebe turns around staring at me through the glass, sadness in her eyes. “Goodbye, Lucas.” She turns on her heels and climbs up the stairs. I bang my fist on the bulletproof glass, useless to shatter it. All I’m doing is leaving bloody streaks from when I punched the wall. When Phoebe doesn’t turn around to let me in, I walk away with my head down and my heart ripped out of my chest left at Phoebe Gates’ doorstep.

The rain lets up as I climb onto my Harley. I strap my helmet on and fire her up. At least this girl will never leave me. Taking off on the slick pavement, I slide a little but regain control. That would be my luck, to wipe out and have to be scrapped off the road. Maybe they could put my heart back in my chest.

I ride for a while lost in my own thoughts. My head replaying everything in the last couple of months between Phoebe and me. How her smile never reached her eyes, how she never talked to me until I talked to her. How she fucking played me. My heart hardens, looking back at all the signs, I should’ve seen this onecoming. Anger and rage settle into my bones until I can’t feel anything. No heartbeat. No hatred. No sadness. Just numb.

I come upon a restaurant tucked in the middle of nowhere. My body is numb from the cold and rain. I pull into the parking lot and stop next to two Harleys. I remove my helmet and head inside. The bell rings above my head, alerting everyone inside I’m here. God, I hate those things. I take my soaking-wet body to the counter and slide onto the barstool. A pretty little waitress flips my coffee mug over in front of me and fills it up. I pick it up letting the steam warm my hands and body. Nothing can unfreeze my heart though.

“What can I get ya?” The pretty little waitress asks. I look for her name tag and read Taylor over her ample chest. Her breath catches in her throat while my eyes rake over her body.

I give her my best smile, showing my perfect teeth, “Taylor,” I let her name roll off my tongue and watch her pupils dilate and she squirms. “Can I have a monster burger with fries, please?”

She gives me a wink and flirty smile, “Sure thing. Can I get you anything else?” Taylor runs her fingers over her breasts and my eyes follow. I know I shouldn’t, but fuck. I’m a guy. A broken-hearted guy. My dick is doing all the talking and right now it wants to fuck the memory of Phoebe away.

I open my lips to respond when a deep voice growls over my head, “Move along, Taylor. He’s not a patched member, yet.” Taylor’s eyes widen and she scurries off to the kitchen. What the fuck?

I turn my head ready to give this asshole standing in my way of a good fuck, off. My eyes land on his cut and snap my jaw shut. He smirks and slides on the barstool to the left of me. “Names, Kayne,” he extends his hand in my direction.

“Lucas,” I respond, shaking Kayne’s hand.

“You a brother?”

“Nah, just ride.” I shake my head. Kayne looks at me from head to toe, taking in my soaking wet leather dress shoes, black slacks and a button-down shirt. He quirks an eyebrow at me.

“What the fuck is a man like you doing in a shitty ass place like this?” Kayne leans back on the barstool and pops a toothpick in his mouth.

“Man like me? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I’m irritated and pissed.

He motions to my clothes with a hand. “Rich, well dressed, probably cheating on your old lady because you come from money.” This motherfucker is blunt. He’s wrong, but I get it. I look like I’m loaded.

“Well, Kayne. First off, just because I’m dressed this way doesn’t mean I’m rich. Second of all,” I hold two fingers up, “This is, I mean was, my work attire.” I hold up a third finger, “And lastly, no old lady. If it’s any of your business, which it isn’t, maybe I’m looking for a piece of ass to fuck her memory away.” Taylor places my food in front of me and walks away without another word. I’m not hungry now, but the smell of my burger has my mouth watering. I take a big bite and set it down.

“If you’re done assessing me and implying shit, you can leave so I can enjoy my food in peace.” I’m pissed and if he sits here, an MC member or not, I’m going to lose my shit.

“What’d you do for work to make you dress like a prissy bitch?” Kayne asks.

I wipe my hands on my napkin and turn to look at him, “I was a communications expert for a prestigious law firm.”

“Hmm…” Kayne runs his hand through his blonde goatee and motions to someone else. Another MC member slides onto the stool to my right. “What do you think, Blayde?”

“I think he’s got what it takes,” Blayde responds.

“Me too.” Kayne reaches into his cut and I spot the piece strapped to the inside. “Big changes are coming soon, Lucas.”He pulls a card out with a phone number on it. “If you’re interested.” He hands me the card and I take it, looking it over.

“What is this?” I ask flipping it over. On the back, it has three words written on it. Savage Saints MC.

“When you’re ready, we could use a man like you. Tremendous changes are coming soon.” With that, Kayne and Blayde stand up and walk out of the restaurant. I spot the back of their cuts and my heart races. I’ve heard of Savage Saints MC. They’re an elite one-percenter club and I’ve always wanted to get in with them since I learned how to ride.

I tuck the card into my pocket, pull out a wad of cash and pay my bill. I hurry out of the restaurant. They’re already gone by the time I reach where our bikes are parked. I walk over to my bike and see a leather cut lying on my seat with a note.

Lucas,

When you’re ready, give that number a call. I’ll have a job for you.

Kayne.

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