Page 18 of Halfway to Hell
Swinging his leg off the bike, he pulled his colors from the handlebars and unrolled his black leather vest. Slipping it on, he locked up his ride with practiced efficiency. A couple of guys passed by, nodding at him; he returned the gesture without breaking stride as he pushed through the door.
Inside, the music blasted through the thick haze of smoke. The bar was packed, bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder. Texas eased onto a stool at the bar and caught the bartender’s eye.
The heavy-chested brunette came over quickly. “What can I get you?” she asked as he kept his gaze fixed on the TV flickering in the corner.
“Yuengling flight.”
“Draft or bottle?”
“Bottle.” She started to walk away, but Texas stopped her. His usual beer was too easy to spot. “Actually, make that a Miller Lite.”
“Coming right up.”
With his order placed, Texas turned his attention back to the TV. When the beer landed in front of him, he tossed some cash on the bar and nodded a thanks. He knew he’d have to drink at least this one—and probably another—before he could feel comfortable moving from the bar.
As he settled in, a large hand clamped down on his shoulder.
“You must be as lost as I am, brother.”
Looking up, Texas saw another Nomad from the chapter. Eros stood beside him, juggling his attempt to order a beer.
“Nakota, what are you doing out in North Bay?”
“I’m coming from White River, headed east.”
“Where to?”
“To visit Cree and Kennedy in St. Tite. We’re going apple picking at Moulin à cidre.”
Texas choked slightly on his beer at the mention of his family’s orchard. Raising a hand to quiet Eros before he could start giving him a hard time, Texas said, “That’s a great place.”
“You know it?”
“Yeah. Make sure you guys stay at the Little Inn down the road from the orchard.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Eros glanced toward the bartender, who still hadn’t made her way down to their end of the bar. “What does it take to get a drink in this place?”
Texas raised his hand again, and the bartender finally came over. “Two more, please.”
“Sure thing,” she said, turning back toward the bar.
“What the fuck?” Eros muttered, surprised Texas got served first.
“You didn’t tell her you wanted a drink, brother.”
“Nah, it’s you. The ladies take one look at you and wanna ride a cowboy.
“We could ask her if she wants to play cowboys and Indians later tonight,” Texas said with a wide grin. Even if he wasn’t interested in the brunette, he was always ready to help a brother out.
Sliding off his stool, Texas grabbed his beer and moved over to the pool tables in the back room, where he and Eros could talk without watching their backs. The two men took up a game,catching up while Texas kept one eye on the clock, careful not to miss his window to leave.
Eventually, he told Eros he had to head out, leaving him chatting with a woman.
With the place packed, slipping out the back door was easy. Texas made his way to his bike, grabbed his backpack, then melted between some trucks and disappeared down the street on foot.
A block down, Texas pulled out his phone and called for an Uber, pacing as he waited.
When the car arrived, he climbed in and soon was dropped off two blocks from the house he was headed for. As he approached, the sight of the garage set his blood boiling.
