Page 3 of Spike's Perdition
“Don’t worry ‘bout it, man,” Soul replies. “I’ll have a prospect take care of it.”
“A prospect?” I ask.
Two hours later, I’m three sheets to the wind and need carried back to the shop. The big guy, Grim, does the honors, treating me like a sack of potatoes. Lonnie fixes up the tire, free of charge since we didn’t pay for a single drink.
“Here, man,” Soul says, handing me a card. “Gimme a call once your hangover wears off tomorrow. I think you’d make a great Saint, and if you’re interested, we can talk prospecting more seriously.”
I don’t have time to formulate a response in my alcohol-addled brain before Lonnie and I are alone.
“C’mon, kid,” he says. “You can pick up your bike tomorrow. I’m driving home.”
As I follow him out to his 1957 Chevy Impala, my lips tilt into a smile.
You’d make a good Saint.
Soul is only the second person in my life to tell me I’d make a good anything.
CHAPTER 1
IVORY
PRESENT DAY…
“I don’t thinkI can do this.”
The rumble of the turboprop engines vibrates through my body. The plane is filled with eight jumpers, but the one standing next to me is having a typical first-timer’s reaction.
“You’ll be fine.” I squeeze her hand. “I promise, I’ll be right there with you to signal when to pull the ripcord.”
Kiera came in a couple of weeks ago with her entourage to celebrate her upcoming divorce. Her best friends convinced her that skydiving would be the perfect way to cleanse herself of her old life and jump into her new one. I, for one, wholeheartedly agree; however, I live for the adrenaline rush. From what her friends told me, Kiera is an introvert who prefers tranquil nights at home, curled up with a good book. I was shocked when she agreed to take the plunge.
Jenny, Kiera’s best friend, slides up next to her. “Come on Kiera,” she encourages. “I promise, you’re going to feel so free.”
I nod. “She’s right. Plus, you can cuss the bastard all the way down.”
Kiera chuckles before taking a deep breath. “Okay, I can do this.”
“Damn right, you can.”
“Five minutes out, Ivory,” Milton, our pilot, announces over the speakers.
“Alright ladies, we’re almost ready!” A chorus of ‘Hell Yeah!’ fills the air. “Remember, I’ll point to you when it’s your turn to jump.” I adjust the GoPro camera on my helmet. I enjoy recording first-time jumpers because it’s a great reminder for the customers of what they did and that they were brave enough to take that leap. “I’ll be jumping with Kiera so I can get the footage you all want.”
I quickly double-check everyone’s harnesses, straps, and helmets. Then I pull my own harness as music fills the cabin.Danger Zoneby Kenny Loggins is our signal that we’re at the proper altitude to jump and we’re clear to go.
“Here we go!” I yell and start pointing at Kiera’s friends who give her a pat on the shoulder as they wait for their turn to jump.
Finally, it’s our turn.
“I’m ready!” Kiera shouts over the music, her face no longer showing signs of doubt. Instead, her eyes narrow with determination, and her smile is contagious.
“Go!”
Kiera’s screams fill the air when she jumps out. I count to three and follow her. Her head snaps up to look in my direction.
“Fuck you, Derek!” Kiera flips off the camera, and I chuckle.
I had a feeling that there was a little daredevil hiding inside of her, and I was right. I glance around quickly and see everyone else has pulled their cords and parachutes are littering the sky. I toss two fingers up in the air, signaling to Kiera that it’s time to pull her rip cord. Kiera pulls her ripcord, and her body jerks as the parachute releases. I tug on my own cord, and we start the slower descent to the ground. Landings can be rough if you don’t know what you are doing, but we aren’t one of those mediocre companies that doesn’t prepare clients. We give lessons and teach different methods of how to land without hurting yourselfand absolutely will not take anyone up until they show they can follow our instructions and do things safely.
