Page 71 of Matrix

“She’s not my woman.”

“Really? I heard you two almost broke the damn bed last night.” He hands me an icy bottle while grinning like a fool.Kids.

“Yeah, well …” I smirk.

“And she’s a Fed?”

“For a prospect, you sure know a lot of shit you shouldn’t.”

“I’m almost patched in. Vapor says a vote’s coming up in a few weeks. If I don’t fuck up between now and then, I’m in.”

“Congratulations, man.”

“Thanks, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’ve been waiting to join the club for years. They kept saying I was too young and wet behind the ears.” He shakes his head.

“How old are you anyway?”

“Twenty-two.”

“A kid.”

“Yeah, but I’ve seen some shit.” His face darkens. I get a glimpse of his demons and can’t help but wonder if we’re more alike than I’d expect.

“Bad shit makes you stronger.”

“That’s what Vapor always says.”

“Then he knows what he’s talking about.” I wave my half-empty bottle around the garage.“Is this your place?”

“Nah. The club just lets me work here. They own it now. I was already here before they took over. They liked me, so they kept me on. Then they let me become a prospect.”

“Are you a mechanic?”

“Yeah.”

“My bike’s been rattling a bit. Could you check it out while we’re sitting around with our thumbs up our asses?”

“Sure! I’d love to work on your shit for free.” His sarcasm isn’t lost on me.

“All right, shithead. I’ll pay you.Ifyou can fix it.”

“Just fuckin’ with you. If I charged your ass, Vapor would have mine.”

I laugh before tossing my empty bottle into the trash. We spend the next hour hunched over my bike. The kid’s a fucking genius. He finds the problem and fixes it with time to spare. He may be young, but he’s clearly got a head for bikes. I can see why Vapor wanted to bring him on. The kid’s gifted at fixing shit.

The old rotary phone on the wall rings.

“I thought that was a decoration,” I joke.

“Still works. The old man who owned it before us didn’t trust technology. We kept it because, well, why the fuck not? It’s kinda cool.” He grabs the receiver and lifts it to his ear.“Tank … Yeah … He’s still here … Okay … Me too? Fuck yeah!” He hangs up.“We’re going to the clubhouse!”

"Why’s that so exciting?” I ask.

“Well …” He rubs the back of his meaty neck.“Did you meet Vicki the Hickey yet?”

“Please tell me you don’t call her that to her face.”

“Fuck no. It wasn’t even my idea. But check this out.” He sweeps his hair off his neck to reveal a huge red bruise.“Lives up to her name, am I right?” He grins.

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