Page 17 of Raven
Caleb lifted his chin in acknowledgement and looked back at me. “I believe in you Sydney.”
His trust and kind words gave me encouragement and as he walked away, I moved back to the old Harley. Walking aroundit, I noticed a few things that needed to be replaced and pulled a notepad from my coveralls and began to jot down notes.
I felt someone knock their shoulder against mine and glanced to see Joel and one of the other mechanics standing beside me. Joel asked, “Can we help get this pushed into your bay?”
“Yes, please,” I remarked, and they each took a side and started moving the bike further into the shop.
My crotch-rocket from this morning was ready to move and once Joel and Bud got the Harley into my bay, they pulled the completed work order from my clipboard and began to push the finished bike to the other side of the shop. I wasn’t paying them much attention as I sat down on my stool and pulled myself closer to the Harley’s engine.
For close to an hour, I didn’t touch the bike. I just sat with it, looking over the scuffs, scratches and tiny dents. They spoke of miles on the road, weather conditions that rapidly changed, and dusty trails.
Inhaling deeply, I knew it was time to start the teardown. I could feel Caleb’s eyes on me as I pulled out my tools and got to work. I had decided I couldn’t look at this bike any differently than another. It was a machine that needed repairs, and that was something I could do.
Lost in work, I didn’t realize how late it had gotten until the music that filled the shop lowered in volume. I looked up and saw everyone was finishing up their tasks, or had already closed up their toolboxes for the day.
I sat up, stretching my back before I stood from my stool. The parts I had removed were lined up on my workbench and I wrote down what parts were needed to begin the work before I turned off the light over my toolbox. Caleb walked up as I was removing my coveralls and hanging them onto the hook.
He whistled as he looked over the workbench. “You got most of the engine torn down already?” I nodded and he smiled before adding, “Damn. My woman is a beast in the shop.”
He linked our hands together and guided me toward the sink where we washed up. As I scrubbed the dirt and grease from my hands, I suddenly got nervous at the idea of going to the Sinners clubhouse.
Having grown up around bikers, I knew some of the depraved things that occurred in the clubhouses, and I feared I wasn’t going to fit it. Glancing at Caleb, I saw how happy he seemed and decided I wasn’t going to share my fears with him at that time.
I was going to trust him at his word that I wasn’t going to be an outcast with the ol’ ladies. After locking up the shop, I walked with him to his bike and when he got on, encouraging me to climb behind him, I did as he requested.
Tonight was either going to go great, or completely off the rails, and all I could do was hang on to Caleb as he pulled away from the shop and into Rapid City traffic.
If Uncle Billy and Joel were right, I would have nothing to worry about. But if my usual luck was still following me, tonight could turn into a shit show.
Chapter 9
Raven
Icould see the hesitation on Sydney’s face as we pulled away from the shop, headed to the Sin Den. For the last two days, I have spoken to her about my club, my brothers, and especially the ol’ ladies. I tried to reassure her how loved and cherished the women of the club were, but the worry on her face was crystal clear.
As I maneuvered through traffic with Sydney’s arms wrapped around my waist and her cheek resting against my back, I thought back to the tales Billy used to share with my father during his occasional visits. His club seemed wild, and the more I thought about the stories of bar fights, club sluts, and the occasional police visit, I started to understand Sydney’s apprehension.
Having been born and raised in Rapid City, I’d seen every kind of club imaginable during the Rally’s. Not every club was like the Sinners Revenge. Some treated their women like actual property, and others were unfaithful to their ol’ ladies. There were clubs who would kill for sport, and others who never believed in violence.
Tonight was my chance to show her what kind of good, decent men I rode with, and I just hoped no one started any drama. Not that it was a regular occurrence.
As I turned onto the road leading past Roughstock’s ranch, I slowed down and yelled over my shoulder to Sydney.
“Roughstock and Cheyenne live here, and the club is just down the road.”
She nodded as I accelerated past the ranch and when I turned onto the road where the Sin Den was, I pushed the bike a little faster than before, wanting her to feel the freedom that being out this far gave us.
Police didn’t patrol out here since it was all private land, and that gave us more leeway to feel the wind against our faces.
By the time I turned into the gravel lot of the Sin Den, I looked into the rear-view mirror and saw a beautiful smile on Sydney’s face. Seeing her happy calmed something inside me, and I vowed to put a smile on her face every day.
As I slowed the bike and pulled around the back of the building, I noticed her smile falter. I realized she was stepping into my world and it was my job to make sure she was content. I slowed my bike and began to walk it backward into my spot before turning off the engine.
I swung my leg off the bike and turned to see Sydney glance at the back of the building as she picked at her nails. Reaching out, I offered her my hand with a smile, and when she took it, I helped her off the bike.
Before we walked inside, I wanted her to relax, so I gently tugged her into my arms. She wrapped hers around my neck and looked up at me with a hint of worry in her eyes. Leaning closer, I whispered to her, “I won’t leave your side. I promise.”
She seemed to relax in my arms, and I pushed forward, pressing my lips to hers. In an instant, she melted into the embrace, and that’s when I took it past the chaste phase we had been in for the last few days.
