Page 5 of Her Nosey Biker
LOOT
Iwatch the little mouse once again run from me, and I can’t help but smile. Nervous little thing, that one. Won't give me more than two seconds of her time. I lift my arm up and sniff my armpit, then cup my hand over my mouth and smell my breath. Nope, minty fresh, so that can’t be it. I look at the diner one more time, thinking about following her in, but that seems a bit stalkerish to me. Shrugging, I decide that if she doesn’t want to be hassled, I’ll leave it alone. I don’t need any more complications in my life, anyway.
Even though I try to tell myself that over and over again, it still doesn’t stop me from randomly stopping by the diner every few days on the off chance I might get a glimpse of my blonde-haired beauty. I saw her once on her bike heading back toward the motel. I tried to wave her down, but she turned away quickly enough and rode off into the sunset. Oh well, I’ll let it go.
Again, I’m telling myself a lie.
Which is why I’m currently leaning against my bike at the end of the street, my phone ringing. When I look down, I can’t stop the smile that lights up my face.
“Ghost, it’s been too long.” I turn back to my bike, throw my leg over, and take a seat.
“Hey brother, how’s life hanging up north?” Ghost asks.
“A little to the left, actually. How ya been, sir?” I ask, cringing, because I know what’s coming next.
“What’d I tell you about that shit? I ain’t…”
“I know, I know, you ain’t in charge of me anymore. Habit.” I chuckle, same ol’ Ghost. “What’s got you callin' Devin?” I smile, knowing that will get him even more riled up.
“Don’t even know why I bother calling your smart ass anymore,” he grumbles, and that just makes me even happier.
I only got to serve with Ghost a handful of times, but I swear the man makes everyone he meets feel like family. He calls at least once a month to check in. I don’t know how the man gets anything else done with how many people he has to check in on.
“Ahh, it’s cause you missed me, ain’t it? You just called last week. I would have bet money Tizzy would keep you busy these days.” To be honest, I am curious. He rarely calls me this close together.
“Oh, I keep him busier than a Waffle House at three a.m.” I hear Tizzy’s voice on the other end of the line and smile.
That woman is full of sunshine; even her voice warms you from the inside out. She’s the mother every kid dreams of having, and the day she and Ghost tied the knot was the day my faith in humanity and soul mates was restored.
“She’s keeping me in line,” Ghost comments, and I hear the smile in his voice before his tone turns serious. “I actually called to ask you about Drake.”
Oh shit, what the hell has he gotten into now?
“I’ve tried talking to him, Ghost. He won’t even look at me. He just stares past me like I’m not there. I don’t know what more I can do. I think seeing me brings it all back,” I sigh. I wish there were something I could do, but ever since the explosion, he hasn't been right.
“That’s not it,” he says in a dark tone, oh no. This can't be good. “He’s gotten out, and he’s gone dark.”
“What the fuck? How did that happen?” I yell, losing all of my normal composure. This isn’t fucking good.
“Someone impersonating a family member signed him out.”
“And they let that happen?!” I’m seething mad. Drake’s skills went well beyond the military and its specialized training, and his knowledge of explosives was unmatched. To say he’s a danger to society would be an understatement. If he’s gone dark, I don’t know how the hell we’re going to find him.
“You know what he’s like, Goins. He was going to find a way out, eventually. I’m surprised it took him this long,” he says with a sigh, and it makes me wonder again how much the guys got left in him. Which reminds me, he’s probably more worried and pissed than I am. I know just the way to lighten the mood.
“How’s Piper doing?” I smile as I hear the growl.
“Still fucking married and taking care of my grandbabies,” he seethes. His daughter has always been his weak spot, and I love exploiting his weakness. He just had one, now he has three with his old lady.
“Happily?” I ask.
“I will shoot you in the dick,” he replies flatly, and I can’t help but belly laugh. It’s just too easy. The laugh is cut short, however, as I spot a familiar figure sitting on a bench right in front of Tall Tales & Turned Pages, the local bookstore. It has an old-world charm with its string lights and ivy growing up the side of the building. It’s not uncommon to catch someone taking in the town with the view from the bench. It is, however, unusual to see someone looking down, mumbling, and is that… cursing? I squint to try and figure out what or who it could be, but Ghost's voice in my ear brings me back to the conversation and the seriousness of his call.
“Loot! What the fuck?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.” I shake my head, replying.
“Listen, I don’t want to scare you or anything, but I believe Drake's holdin’ onto some hard feelings. Just… keep your eyes peeled.”
