Page 15 of Halfway to Hell
“There’s an aftermarket shop just two streets over.”
“You ride?”
“I have, back in the day. I know that place ’cause I’ve seen it.”
He stuffed the bag into the bike’s luggage compartment and clicked it shut.
“Alright, let’s get moving.”
Having Sunday know how to ride would make things a hell of a lot easier. Teaching a new rider the how’s and why’s was always daunting to Texas. He’d tried plenty of times giving women rides—none ever quite got it right. They learned when they shouldn’t, when they wiggled too much because their asses started to ache, or tensed up at the wrong moments.
Eventually, he’d stopped taking passengers altogether.
Straddling the bike, he gave Sunday a nod to climb on. She was so light he barely felt her settle into the seat behind him. Just one quick stop for a helmet, then they were on the road, heading north toward Bay.
Texas noticed Sunday moving slowly across the parking lot as they made their way toward the clubhouse. Four hours on a bike, combined with her already sore body, was taking its toll. Without a word, he took her pack from her and hoisted it over his shoulder, pushing them forward. He wanted her inside—away from prying eyes.
“Are you sure this is a motorcycle clubhouse and not just a house?” she asked, glancing up at the two-story building.
Texas knew exactly what she meant. The place looked more like a family home than the rough-and-tumble clubhouse of the Royal Bastards MC North Bay Chapter.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he said, eyes scanning the building.
They hadn’t gone far when the front door swung open, and Lynx—the chapter’s president—stepped out. Texas approached and extended his hand.
“Lynx. Appreciate you boys letting us crash here.”
“How long you staying?” Lynx asked, eyes sharp but concerned.
“Just tonight,” Texas replied firmly.
“You both look beat down. Long run?”
Texas glanced down at Sunday as he adjusted the bags.
“Yeah, all the way from New London,” he said, stretching the truth to build a bigger alibi for himself.
“Picked up Sunday on my way here,” he added casually.
“PA? Wait, did you say New London, PA?” Lynx shook his head, chuckling. “No wonder you two look wiped. You should be ashamed, putting a woman on the back of your ratty bike.”
“Yeah, I was over there doing some work,” Texas said, grinning. “And there’s nothing wrong with my bike. She’s sexy.”
“Are we talking about the bike or your girl? Cause that bike ain’t sexy.”
“That’s enough. Keep insulting my girl, and she might not start for me later.”
Lynx’s grin softened as he glanced at Texas defending his ratty ride.
“Come on in. I’ll show you where your rooms are.”
Texas felt Sunday grip his hand firmly. “Lynx, you got something with two beds?”
Lynx shot Texas a hard look. Two beds? “You think this is the Holiday Inn or something?”
“Nope,” Texas said, nodding toward Sunday, watching Lynx’s expression grow guarded as he looked at her.
“I’ve got a room I think will work,” Lynx said, waving them forward and leading them down the hall to a room at the back.
