Page 7 of Hounds Ascend
“Cass, come on man.”
Cass pulls on the jeans that lay on the floor next to the bed before opening the door. Scott is standing there, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. I look between the two men in confusion, but they can’t see my face in the darkness of the room.
“Why are you so happy to be awake before six o’clock in the morning?” I ask, my voice scratchy and laced with sleep.
“He’s always up with the fuckin’ chickens,” Cass sighs.
“I am, but I’m happy about it because it’s time to ride.”
I roll my eyes and roll over, tugging the comforter almost completely over my head.
“Oh no, what do you think you’re doing?” Scott asks.
“Uh, sleeping.”
“Cass didn’t tell you?”
Cass walks into the bathroom adjoining to my room and flicks the light on. I shield my face from the bright lights that now shine directly on me.
“Evidently not.”
Cass’s laughter echoes from the bathroom. I flip the blanket down and give him an evil glare.
“What?” I ask.
“We’re going on a pack ride today and that means you too.”
I sigh and let out a few obscenities before I look at Scott, who’s on the verge of laughing at me in the doorway.
“Well close the damn door.”
Scott closes the door, and I get up. I go straight to the shower and get ready while Cass stays out of my way. I’m not good at mornings and Cass is slowly learning that. I finish up in the bathroom and dig through my closet. I settle on a black Hounds support shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans with my favorite flip-flops.
I know I’ll get shit over my choice of footwear, but I don’t care. They’re my feet. If they get shredded to hell and back, then it’s my problem. Not theirs.
Once I’m completely ready, I meet the guys downstairs at the bar. Cass and Scott are seated at the bar with Old School and Snapper, all four of them chipper and happy as hell to be awake. It almost disgusts me, their pleasantness. I sit down inthe nearest barstool to the stairs and furthest from the group of happy bikers.
Linc is behind the bar, as usual, and it makes me wonder if he ever sleeps. He’s happy, too. I can’t figure it out, but something is definitely wrong with these men. No one should be so damn happy to be woken up.
I light a cigarette, taking a pull from it and exhaling slowly.
“Want some coffee?” Linc asks.
“Only if you have milk or creamer and about a pound of sugar back there.”
“Got you covered.” He walks to the other end of the bar and grabs a coffee mug, pours it, then sets it on the bar in front of me and walks off. He returns with a plastic container full of sugar and a cup of milk.
“Thanks.”
I pour half of the cup of milk into my mug until my coffee is a light tan color, then load it with sugar. How people drink it black is beyond me. Coffee is disgusting, but I do like a hint of it with my sugar and milk.
I sit in silence, sipping my coffee and smoking my cigarette while the guys laugh and joke at the opposite end of the bar.
Once I finish my cigarette and down the rest of my coffee, I’m a little bit more awake and think I can handle the energy in the room now. I step behind Cass and wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“Well good morning, love.” He reaches up and rubs one arm affectionately, running his fingers lightly back and forth over myskin.
“Good morning.” I rest my head on his while they continue talking about their plans for the day. From what Old School is saying, we are supposed to be riding to Mississippi, but for what, I’m not sure. An all-day ride doesn’t sound bad, especially not after everything that’s occurred over the last few weeks. Freedom and an open road sound so much better than being stuck inside. Now that I’m awake, I’m beginning to get excited about this outing.
