Page 9 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“How about you fucking go and do it?” Digging my heels in, I go for broke knowing that I’m crossing the line, again, unable to stop the shit that’s flying out. “Better yet, if she means that much to you, why don’t you go and just take care of her like you do all the ladies?”
The words are like acid and the tiny voice inside of my head is screaming for me to shut the fuck up!
“You are one dumb motherfucker. When you wake up, and decide not to be such a fucking jackass, let me know!” Pretty Boy spits at me before leaving the room, Coin right behind him.
I glare at the door, still unable to believe, to really believe, that this could possibly be me. Once the door is closed behind them, I turn to the ones left behind. I scan all their faces, feeling the rock in my gut grow more with each set of disappointed leers. When my eyes connect with that of my Prez’s, and displeasure isn’t there, but understanding, I want to throw up.
“Everyone out. Let’s give our man a little time,” Prez asserts his authority by saying. Torch glares down at me, getting ready to ignore Prez when a hand lands on his shoulder stopping him. The fire in his eyes lets me know that this conversation isn’t over.
The look on everyone's face isn’t one that I am used to seeing from them. Being who I am, I don't back down or look away from their sneering. I let every ounce of distaste and irritation from my brothers soak in. The Ol’ Ladies shock the ever-lovingshit out of me as each one gives me a brief side hug. As the door closes on the last brother, and I’m left with only Prez, it finally punches me in the gut what a complete fuck up I am. I look anywhere but at Prez, not able to handle the shameful look from him.
“This is the only free pass that you will get. You’re not wrong, none of us know what you’re going through. Even so, it does not mean that you can be a disrespectful shit to everyone. We love you, son, and want nothing more for you to be back on your bike and riding alongside everyone. This attitude isn’t how you get there. Figure it out because I don’t want to have to kick your ass.” He pauses, and I turn to him ready to tell him exactly where he can shove the shit he’s saying. However, my words die on my tongue when I see nothing but comprehension and compassion in his eyes. I give him a stiff nod before closing my eyes, letting the dark take me under, and praying to whoever the fuck is listening for this to be a dream and that when I wake up next time, this won’t be my life.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Riley
I walk as calmlyas I can manage to the elevator, smiling when I happen to make eye contact with a passerby. All while a small piece of my soul, one that I was guarding for dear life shatters, falling into the blackest abyss that now surrounds me like a well-worn blanket. I knew I was nothing to him but a joke, and a plaything. What has shattered me, is the way he spoke to me, in the same manner as all of the men in my father’s club used to do.
I stare down at the cracked and stained floor of the elevator, pulling myself together. When the doors slide open I take a deep, calming breath before holding my head high as I make my escape from the hospital. I make it across the parking lot, to my car, all the way home, and through my front door before I let the hurt pour out of me. I set a timer for twenty minutes.
That’s how long I have to wallow and feel sorry for myself.
After that, I’ll pick myself up and dust myself off before I move onto the next thing in my life. Letting what has happened define me isn’t something I’ll ever do again. I spent way too long after my momma died letting others decide not only how I feltabout myself, but also who I was allowed to be. When I left my daddy’s club, I’d decided never again.
So, that asshole will get exactly twenty minutes of my time, and then, I’m going to pull myself together and be the bad ass I’ve taught myself to be. The timer goes off letting me know my pity party's over. I pull myself off the couch and walk into the shower, washing away the day from hell. I step out of the shower just as my stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten a bite since this morning.
I wrap my towel around my torso before grabbing my phone, trying to decide what I’m going to have for dinner seeing as cooking is out of the equation. I scroll through my DoorDash app trying to figure what can be delivered to me the fastest. Deciding on something from the local Mexican restaurant, I place my order, and see I have about twenty minutes to kill. Going into my room, I pull on my favorite cami with a built-in bra, and a pair of sleep shorts, pulling my hair up into a messy bun on top of my head.
“If I’m having Mexican food, then I need a Rumrita to go with it,” I say out loud, talking to myself.
I make my way across the cheap linoleum floor and into my tiny kitchen. I pull out my favorite rum, margarita mix, and ice making the perfect drink just as the doorbell rings. I look at my phone because it’s not been anywhere close to long enough for my food to be delivered. Standing at the counter I chew on my lip trying to figure out exactly what I want to do.
Fear rushes through me, causing me to grip the counter with a white-knuckled grip. The bell dings again, and I can’t make myself move from my safe spot to answer it.
“Yo, Riley. Let us in,” Vixen yells just as she starts banging on the door like she’s a part of the SWAT Team.
I gasp. pulling in some much-needed oxygen and feeding my lungs. Shaking off the moment of panic, I turn off the blender,and twist, my feet carrying me as I start making my way to the door. Unlocking the two deadbolts, chain lock, and the doorknob I pull it open, seeing not only Vixen, but Lil’ Red, Edge, and most surprisingly, Candy, standing at the door. I look at the road behind them, seeing a brother, and a prospect, sitting idle on their bikes.
Holy hell. I must have been way out of it not to hear the rumble of the bikes coming down the street.
“Ignore them,” Edge says, smiling wide.
“Are you going to let us in, or are you going to make us stand outside all night?” Vixen, the ever sassy one, asks.
“Shit, Yes, come in. I ordered Mexican food, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough for everyone,” I tell them, stepping out of the door.
“It’s all good, we brought some of our own,” Lil’ Red states, holding up two large bags, and the aromatic smell hits me.
I laugh. These women are like none other, reminding me so much of the original Ole ladies from my dad’s club. My heart clenches at the thought of my mom and her friends. They were so much like these women that it makes me dream of what it could have been, if they hadn’t died.
“Holy hell, woman. You are responsible for making Rumritas for every event from here on out. This is so fucking good.” Edge laughs, taking another long pull from the straw that she stuck directly into the blender.
I just chuckle and shake my head, since I know that I won’t be making them anything, because one of the decisions that was made while in the shower is that I will be moving as soon as I land myself a new job. Far away from here. Come into contact with someone that knows my dad and thenbam, Flyboy adds fuel to the flame by tossing some bullshit at me the way he did. My time in this town is up, and it’s high time to find somewherenew to land and start fresh. This time, hopefully, it’ll be without a mother f-ing Motorcycle Club.
“What’s got you making that face?” Lil’ Red questions me.
