Page 1 of Bronco

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BRONCO

If you’d toldme I’d end up with a giant, black Cane Corso — the last dog to be adopted at the New Orleans Faux Paws Rescue adoption event — I’d have told you that you’re nuts. I wasn’t looking, but I felt sorry for the dude. He played on my heart strings the second I saw him.

Okay, I admit he does look a little scary, but with a name like ‘Diablo’ how can one blame him? It’s a terrible name because even though he looks like he might be a guard dog for the devil himself, he’s surprisingly soft and playful and completely docile. He prefers to sleep for twenty-plus hours a day on a huge pillow the size of a Buick rather than be a working dog…. Albeit, he doesn’t seem to mind other dogs, but he’s a little hesitant with humans. The breed is known for their loyalty, temperament and their ability to protect; yeah, you could say I’ve done my research.

He’s only three, and was surrendered because his owners didn’t have the time to train him properly. They’re a strong breed, but he’s smart, and he loves his walks. For the last six months, I’ve been taking him to obedience training and we’ve learned a lot about each other. I also changed his name to Titan.Suggesting he’s anything like the devil is just an insult, and I hate how dogs are misunderstood just because their owners are complete fuckwits.

Titan would likely lick you to death before he ever charged at you; once he got to know you, that is. Then again, Nevada, my MC club brother, keeps telling me we need to train him as a proper guard dog and not mollify him so much, but I kinda like it. It’s nice having company at night; he lies in the doorway of my bedroom taking up all the room until he deems it safe enough to leave his post and jump onto the bed.

“You know, you spend more time gazin’ at that dog than you do tryin’ to score pussy these days,” Ryder, the VP and one of my best friends, laughs. He plonks down on the chair next to me at the bar. The clubhouse is quiet at this time of the afternoon because most of the members are out at their day jobs.

Titan doesn’t even look up. He’s used to most of the guys around here, it’s only new people he’s not sure of. He lets out a huge sigh as he falls back asleep, his legs in the air as he rolls onto his back.

“That’s not entirely true,” Amber says, from around the corner. Amber is one of my best friends and the only girl I really talk to about deep and meaningful shit. She’s restocking the bar for the weekend and I had no clue she’d appear right then. “I think that new girl, Cupcake, right? Pretty sure she has a crush.” She wiggles her eyebrows and I groan.

“She does not,” I say, hoping this news isn’t true. I really don’t need any woman drama right now, and since I’ve worked my way through most of the sweet butts over the last few years — the women who hang around the club for booze, grub and sex — I don’t need another clinger.Cupcake?What kind of name is that? “At least, I hope not.”

Ryder rolls his eyes. “The fact you’d rather hang around your damn dog is telling enough for all of us.” He slaps me on theback. “You savin’ yourself for marriage? I can highly recommend it.”

Well, he would know. He’s been married to Crystal for years and his dick hasn’t fallen off. They’ve got a kid together, Ade; a cute, lovable little terror.

Amber snorts and I give her the evil eye. I don’t like talking about other women around her, not that we’re a thing or are ever gonna be a thing, but we’re friends. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. She’s a cool chick. I also almost tattooed her ass one drunken night a few months ago, and ever since I caught sight of one of her bare ass cheeks, I haven’t been in my right mind.Thank you, tequila shots…

But me and Amber? That ain’t ever gonna work. She’s so far out of my league, I’m not ever gonna reach the summit. Plus,we’re friends.I’ve never been friends with a woman before. I didn’t think it was remotely possible, but she’s not naggy or annoying like most of the women around the club or in my life. She actually listens without judgment or ridicule. We can hang out and there’s no pressure or expectation.

“I’ve just been busy,” I lie.

“Riiiiight.” Amber laughs as I throw my hands in the air.

“Seriously? You’re gonna dump on me, too?”

She shrugs. “Someone’s gotta keep you honest.”

Ryder chuckles. Clearly he thinks he’s won. “The woman talks sense.”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s cute so she gets away with sayin’ whatever flies out of her mouth.” I gesture toward Amber and she pokes her tongue out.

“You’re just being nice because I know all your secrets.”

Ryder shoves me in the shoulder. “What about bro-code?”

Amber laughs out loud. “Oh my God, you did not just say that.”

“Bro-code is not sayin’bro-codeout loud, asshat.” I shake my head. “And anyway, she’s not talkin’ about club business, rightAJ?”I’ve always called her that because her full name is Amber-Jane. Nobody else calls her AJ and strangely, I like that idea.

“Ooh, the dreadedclub business.”She waves her hands at us and we both can’t help but laugh. “Heaven forbid.”

Club business is exactly that; stuff the club discusses in the meeting room that’s between the members. Usually, it involves what shit and mayhem is going on at any given time, and while we’re not a 1% club, we do have our fair share of ups and downs.

Ryder points at her. “You know you said a mouthful there, sister?”

She rolls her eyes. “Puh-lease, do you know how much swearing, groveling, punch ups, brawls, drunken rants, broody behavior, stalking tendencies, bullet wounds — not to mention tears — frombad assbikers I’ve seen over the last year?” She snorts. “Trust me, I knowallof your secrets, that’s the perk of being the bartender who listens. Kind of a rite of passage when you think about it.”

God, she’s fantastic.

Ryder stands, holding up his hands in surrender. “Can’t argue with that. Gotta run and collect Ade from preschool.” He gives us a two-finger salute and takes off.

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