Page 27 of Minus

“Holy shit,” I said, stunned that I’d forgotten all about that.

“You saved my ass, Minus,” Grover said.

“Forget it, man. Obviously, I did,” I said with a chuckle.

“That’s because you bleed Boy Scout khaki,” Clutch said.

“I’m gonna make you bleed, motherfucker. Where’s that wrench?” I asked, looking around.

“So, what’s the deal? You planning on sticking around town for a while?” Ropes asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I’m not even sure what time zone I’m in right now,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t press any further. These guys were still my crew and I didn’t want to lie to them. On the other hand, I truly had no idea what was going to shake out through all this and saw no reason to report on an incomplete story. I closed the topic with, “I guess we’ll all have to wait and see what the Prez wants.”

“Well, it’s nice to have you back, brother,” Ropes said.

“It’s great to see you and Pea. You, too, Grover,” I said.

“Hey.” Clutch slugged my arm. “What about me?”

“I don’t need a place to stay tonight, so I can tell you to go fuck yourself.”

“You must be working on earning your dickhead badge,” he replied.

“Would that make him a Chub Scout?” Sweet Pea asked to laughter all around.

* * *

Cricket

I walked into my home office and powered up my laptop. I had no idea what I was getting myself into with Minus and I was freaked.

And, admittedly, a little turned on.

Sighing, I faced the window and watched the boats on the Willamette. My condo was close to my office, but I loved that I had two different views of the river every day. It was cold, but the water was still, so a few brave boaters hadventured out. I kind of wished I was out there with them. Or with Jase.

“You ready?” Jase asked, picking me up from Fred Meyer. I’d been working at the supermarket since I was sixteen, and the money was helping to put me through school. I was twenty-one and ready to take on the world.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, gripping his jacket. “You haven’t told me what we’re doing.”

“It’s gonna involve you naked and me licking every inch of your body.”

I shivered, biting my lip. “How exactly is that going to happen?”

“Come on. I’ll show you.”

He kissed me gently, then led me to his bike, handing me a helmet and a leather jacket. I climbed on and wrapped my arms around him, tight, wanting to stay like this forever.

Pulling up to a hotel overlooking the Columbia River, we removed our helmets and Jase took my hand, leading me inside. We didn’t speak to anyone, we just made our way to the elevators and rode up to the eighth floor.

“You rented a hotel room?”

“Nothin’ gets by you, baby,” he retorted.

I rolled my eyes. “Why did you rent a hotel room, Jase?”

He unlocked the door and pushed me gently inside. “Because I’m gonna fuck you ’til you scream where no one will bother us.”

I dropped my helmet and made a run at him so hard, he almost fell over. He didn’t because he was four times my size, but he laughed as he carried me to the bed and dropped me gently on it. “Where do you want me to start?”

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