Page 1 of Her Grumpy Biker
1
DIEGO
The fluorescent light flickers above my head, the flash taking me back to the battlefield for a split second. An explosion far away, then another, closer this time. The light flickers again, and I’m back here in the present, doing the most mundane civilian activity: grocery shopping.
I shake my head to clear the ghosts from my mind, though I know they’ll never truly leave. After being out of the military for seven years, I’ve learned the memories simply lie in wait, hiding in the dark corners until the next time my defenses are down.
I walk down the aisle in search of a few basic ingredients. Most of my meals come from the Bottles & Bites diner down the road or whatever we have at the Savage Kings clubhouse, but I like to keep a few things on hand to make for myself.
Brightly hand-painted signs point to sales and locally sourced goods, but I bypass all of that and head to the back, where they keep MREs for jaded veterans like myself. I know I should get real food that I can cook, but fuck it. Old habits die hard, I guess.
My phone rings and I curse under my breath. There are very few people who have my number, and even fewer people I wantto talk to over the phone. When I see Cutter’s name, however, my mood lightens a bit.
“Cutter,” I say in greeting.
“Diego, it’s been a while, man,” he replies. “I should really come visit one of these days. What are you up to?”
I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the screen, making sure it really is Cutter’s number. The last time we talked, both of us were surly bastards living in the small Colorado mountain towns we grew up in.
I first met Cutter in high school, where we played football. We attended separate schools, but all the small towns in this part of the state compete in the same bracket. The kids all stayed the same, but the sport rotated with each season. Football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring.
We developed a respect for one another over the years, which evolved into a friendship that endured even after graduation. He went off to New York for his first year of college while I joined the Army. Every few years, we call each other to catch up, and though we only live a few hours from each other, neither one of us has made a move to see the other in person. Until now, I guess.
“Hello? Did I lose you?”
“Uh, no, I’m here,” I say after clearing my throat. “Are you okay?”
Cutter laughs, which makes me furrow my brow.Is he high right now?
“I’m fine. Actually, I’m great.” I wait for him to explain. It’s been a long time since either of us was great. “I met someone.”Ah, there it is.
“Good for you,” I grunt. It comes off harsher than I meant, but that’s normal for me. Luckily, Cutter knows me well enough to give me the benefit of the doubt.
“Thanks. I know it sounds cheesy as hell, but Sadie came into my life unexpectedly, changed my perspective of the world, and then stole my heart.”
“Sounds like a hostage situation.”
Cutter barks out another laugh. “Just the opposite, Diego. I feel liberated from my past. I’m actually looking forward to the future. Isn’t that crazy?”
“Yes,” I heartily agree. “Are you sure she’s not drugging you or something?”
“I’m sure,” he says with a chuckle. “But I actually called about something else.” I silently wait for him to continue. “I was out with a buddy a few days ago, and we ran into a woman who seemed like she was getting out of a tough situation. She was headed to Jackson Ridge in a beat-up Toyota from the eighties, and I wanted to make sure she got there okay.”
I grunt, thinking over what he said. He wants me to check in on someone, knowing my MC, Savage Kings, can find anyone in this town. Hell,Ican find anyone in this town even without the club’s resources. We don’t get many new faces around here. “Name? Physical description?”
“Camden. She’s a young woman, probably in her early twenties. White-blonde hair. Green eyes. Driving a rusted-out black Toyota Corolla.”
“I’ll keep an eye out and report back.” I’m about to hang up when Cutter speaks again.
“Diego, try to be… gentle. I don’t want to scare her off, I just want to make sure she’s safe.”
“Gentle?” I say with a dry laugh. “Your woman really has changed you.”
“It’ll happen to you, too. I’ll be here when you fall flat on your ass for someone when you least expect it.”
“Sure, buddy,” I sigh. “I’ll give you a call when I locate Camden.” With that, we hang up. I still can’t believe the man I just talked to is Cutter.
I look over my selection of beef stew, spaghetti and meatballs, and pizza, satisfied that my shopping is complete. I’ve never envied anyone living in big cities, but it would be nice to have grocery delivery services.
