Page 4 of Biker On The Hill
“Clubhouse,” I grunt, and guide my bike to the road.
This is what I’ve missed the most, the freedom of the road.Delicious serenity filling my veins as I pass cars and let the scenery flash by.Even if we ride for hours, it’s still not enough.Being locked up for over a year hasn’t been easy.
At least the club doesn’t have a dispute with any surrounding clubs, or any issues with the business we own.All smooth sailing as far as I’ve heard.Well, except for the busted pipe flooding the place.
We park our bikes and I take off my helmet when I tell Layton, “Thanks for handling shit this past year.”
He lifts his chin.“All good, brother.”
Loud noise of multiple voices fills the air and I turn in time to see a handful of brothers pile out of the clubhouse.Kevon and Oswin are the first to reach me and grab me in a man hug, slapping my back hard.Others follow one by one as they all greet me before we head inside.
The main room of the clubhouse is a disaster with furniture piled to one side, part of the floor ripped out, and some walls still show the water damage.I stalk down the hall and glance into the kitchen.
“Kevon finished the kitchen today.He’s gonna work on your room next,” Layton states from behind me.
I nod and check some of the other rooms to take in the damage.
“It’s gonna cost a hell of a lot to fix everything,” I grumble.
“We’re doing all the work, it’s only supplies,” Kevon rumbles and adds, “Besides, the club’s wallet has gotten thicker these past three months.Ever since Pat closed Pat’s place, our bar has more than doubled the profit.”
Pat’s place was a bar in this town that’s been there since before I was born.It was run by Pat, a man who’s now in his seventies, and who knew everyone, and everything going on in this town.
Sadness hits me because his wife’s the reason why I willingly went to jail.Well, not exactly willingly, but like I said; I killed a man and would do it all over again.Pat’s wife, Gracie, used to babysit my sister and me.
Even after we grew into adults, we’d still visit them.Pat helped me, and the club, when we wanted to open up a bar on the other side of town.They were good people, and when I heard Gracie died due to a tragic accident, I wanted to know all the damn details.
It was a hit and run.They found the truck that hit her sitting against a tree, and it belonged to the sheriff’s nephew, Pete.Fucker was a drug addict and high as a kite when he hit her.Did the sheriff arrest his own nephew?Nope, instead the law enforcer tampered with evidence and let the kid walk away squeaky clean.
Three days later the kid got behind the wheel of his father’s car and almost hit a woman behind a stroller when he took a turn and ended up on the damn sidewalk.Thank fuck the baby and the woman were fine, but again the sheriff made sure the kid got off with a warning.Needless to say, the kid kept getting high and being a danger to others.
After we all mourned the loss of Gracie, a killer plan forged hot inside my veins.The need to make the fucker pay spiked to new levels when he yet again almost killed someone else barely a day after Gracie’s funeral.Like I said, the man I killed deserved it.
I turn to face Kevon and frown.“Pat closed up Pat’s place?”
Oswin nods.“Pat didn’t renew the lease and moved to Florida.”
Shaking my head I mutter, “The old fuck always said one day they’d be gone.I can’t believe he really did it, even after everything that happened.”
Layton chuckles.“Better believe it.He stuck a note on the door that only said ‘sayonara fuckers’ and that was it.I bet the guy has his ass in the sand watching topless waitresses bring him margaritas.He deserves it, though.”
I doubt the man would stare at young girls’ tits.After decades together, Pat was still fiercely in love with Gracie.A year after her loss wouldn’t have him searching for someone new.He deserves to retire and suck up some sun, though.
“Damn right he does,” I grunt in agreement.
“Wanna swing by to see your sister next?Or head straight for Ryett’s place?”Layton asks.
I take a deep breath and check the time.“It’s getting late already.I’ll head to Ryett’s place myself if you give me the address.”
Layton hands me a new phone.“I’ve put all our numbers in there along with Ryett’s.I’m gonna text you her address now.It’s not hard to miss since the place is the only house on the hill.Oh, and Delcy and I bought some stuff for you, basic shit.I put two backpacks in your saddlebags.”
“Thanks,” I grunt, and check the incoming message he just sent on my phone.
I know the street with the house on the hill and walk out of the clubhouse.Time to meet Ryett, and hopefully she’ll have a hot shower and a clean bed waiting for me.
