Page 52 of Ranger's Rise
“They can’t come back here.” The girl has an attitude that I’d like to shock right out of her with my laser. The boys stop and look at the floor.
Cage stops and gives her a look but doesn’t say anything. “I’ll get the bags and paper and do it over there on the counter. Next time I’ll bring it to the table.”
“Thanks, Cage.” The boys follow the tray to the counter and Cage goes to the back. Seren comes out a minute later pulling the girl away again.
A smile and handful of paper come with Cage and he shows them how to wrap and bag their food. They’re smiling when we walk out.
At the office, I leave my bike under the portico and walk behind the boys to maintenance. Scraps talks to them asking about the ride and wiping down the bikes with them. He doesn’t seem to care that they don’t answer back. When they’re done, Akai takes his bag out of his saddlebag and hands it to Scraps.
“Thanks, Boss,” Akai says and hits Asa. Scraps gets Asa’s bag too. They walk away with their market bags and I follow laughing.
“Thanks, Little Brothers!” Scraps yells.
In Web’s, the kids are at the table eating from the platter. Anton is excited. “Cookies!”
Akai and Asa groan. Web looks at me. “We stopped for lunch. They ate half of a small. Scraps got the rest, chips and cookies for helping them wipe down the bikes.”
He laughs. “You ate out. I’m glad you had fun. Put your food on your shelf.” He points to their bags and they both move. “They can manage these, but not much more.”
“I’ll remember. Seren was there so she helped us out. They have the menu in their bags and I explained about how to order but had to clarify what’s ok to eat. Cookies is still at two.”
He laughs. “Seren sends trays, but I give the extra to the Prospects. Two is a meal when she does the big cookies. Thanks, Brother. I’m taking Alta and Aris to the Hobby store tomorrow. Banks brought them models, they finished them and want more.”
“Very cool. They’re riding to C?”
“I’m driving an SUV. They finished the models in less than an hour. We’ll need the truck. I would need Brothers around them for that far, they don’t ride much. With the town guarded, they’ll be able to go out with Security, Prospects and the Brothers. They’re excited.” He’s excited too. I bet it feels good to go out.
“Got it. Cage is a good Prospect with them. Do you need anything done?”
“No, Brother, thanks for taking them, but I saw your crews come in. Some will be working and we have a party to go to.”
Fuck. I almost forgot that. “I’m there too. I’m glad you reminded me.”
“Can you help with the Js? The Ms are pretty good swimmers already, but the Js have never been.”
“Yeah. You need help getting them there or in the pool?”
“The pool, Patcher is bringing them in his truck.”
“I’ll see you there.” With a wave and bye to the Little Brothers, I’m out.
I check on the Flight Crews and see them in a classroom with Brinks. Stepping in I stay by the door. Brinks stops and throws me chin. “Ranger.”
“I’m just checking up on them, Brother. You don’t have to stop.”
“We’re doing a Club orientation. They know where the cafeteria is and now the Clubhouse.” He types on his tablet and the town shows on screens with marked locations for food, fuel, and the village stores. I went through this and found it informative. I scroll through my phone and see they’re done after this and will ride the town with Brinks. Since they’re good, I throw Brinks chin and get home for a suit and towel.
At VP’s, I help him get the chair that came in for Jacques out of his truck and into the house. We leave it by the door. Daniel is excited. He’s a cool Little Brother.
The ambulance blips the siren when it pulls up, VP opens the doors and greets the alphabet soup by name. They’re all in suits and the As are excited. I think every one of them looked at me and said ‘Boss’ as they got lifted down. Web hands Jacques to VP and I help José and Juan down.
“Nadando,” José says smiling.
I laugh. “You want to swim. That’s good, José. Let’s help Jacques and VP with his new chair then I’ll take you swimming.”
He runs and I chase after him. Web is laughing. Fucking Brothers. José stops inside the door and watches. VP is showing Jacques the control for the chair, but Jacques is looking the other way. I bend and tell him in French and he turns looking down with a smile, he’s watching me move the joystick. When I press his hand on the control, he moves it forward and makes noise. José laughs and Web has tears.
I tell Jacques to go see the house in French and he makes noises while he moves the chair. Fucking cute. “José, go with Jacques so he knows you're close.”
