Page 11 of The Biker and the Gamer
Nero is Grunt’s real name. The name only people in his “new life” use.
Toni embraces me and pecks my cheek before waving me into the house. “You okay?”
“Up until you told me the little man is asleep. Killed my plans to blow raspberries on his little baby belly.”
“Pfft. Where were you an hour ago to take him off my hands?” she asks rhetorically as we trek to their gourmet-style kitchen. “He hastoomuch energy. It’s driving me nuts.”
“Hmm,” I hum sarcastically and plop down on a stool. “I wonder where he gets it from…”
From the double-door stainless steel fridge, Toni gets out a can of Mountain Dew and slides it across the marble island to me, she keeps these stocked up just for me.
She continues making dinner.
“So,” I begin, popping the can open. “I need to ask a favor, but I’m hesitant.”
She pauses her salad tossing to shoot me an incredulous look.
Toni is “classy” beautiful. Tiny, a mere five two to my five seven, and probably weighs about the same as a pillow. Mixed race, something with Japanese, Dominican, and African American if I remember correctly. And I’ve openly envied her lush dark curls which she keeps chopped in a bob above her shoulders.
When she first entered Grunt’s life, I hated her. For one, she’s twelve years older than him and his college professor at the time. But mostly because I fearedchange.The same change that I crave now. She was classy, clean, and seemly. The complete opposite of us. Where we were stale beers in scratched, recycled bottles, she was a crystal glass of sparkling Rosè. I worried she would take him away from us.
Three years later, and I can’t imagine a better match for my brother. Toni is caring, compassionate, and kind. I’ve learned so much from her. Being around her is just soothing. She’s the big sister I never had.
“Kenny, you’ve helped us outsomuch with Neo that we’ve pretty much become reliant on you,” she tells me. “I don’t know what we would’ve done without you. Ask away.”
“Well, it’s not exactly forme,” I say cautiously, feeling the chill of the can through my palm. “It’s…Leyana.”
I’m not sure what kind of reaction I was expecting to Leyana’s name, butno reactionisn’t it. Toni merely continues to prepare dinner as she asks, “Okay. What is it?”
“She wants a part-time job to keep herself occupied. Figured you or Cookie could help out with that.”
“Oh my God, this is perfect timing.” She looks up from where she’s stirring some sauce in a pan. “My cashier girl told me today that she’s leaving in two weeks to go be with her long-distance boyfriend. Now I don’t have to go through the whole interview process to find a replacement. Tell Leyana the job is hers.”
“Really?” I ask, disbelieving. “I didn’t think you’d want her around...”
She rolls her eyes. “I was never threatened by her back then and I’m not threatened now. Besides, Nero told me nothing happened between them and I believe him. Plus, we’re in a very secure place in our relationship and I’m not going to jeopardize that with jealously and insecurity. I also thought it was really nice how she stepped in to help you after the break-in incident.”
Wow. So Leyana was telling the truth this morning. And Toni, this is why I love her. She never ceases to amaze me.
Just then, Grunt strolls into the kitchen in jeans and a white tee stretched across his formidable chest and broad shoulders, running his fingers back through his shoulder-length blond hair. He looks exhausted. Scruffy. The kind of beat that screamsI’m a new dad and it sucks so good. He’s tall and built, tattooed and bearded.
He jerks his chin at me. “Sup, Kenny Kens.”
I take a sip of soda before replying, “Something strange, actually.”
“Yeah?” He sidles up to Toni and pokes her side as he playfully bites her cheek. “Baby, baby, baby,” he sings to her, “I can’t wait to taste your…sauce.”
She elbows him off. “Get away.” But her grin is as broad as Texas.
I’m used to this. They’re an openly affectionate, touchy-feely couple.
“So, you’re hanging out with a bunch of techies now, right?” I say. “Well, hell, youarea techie now.”
Two years ago, Grunt made his leave from the Den of Heathens MC and his mechanic job at The Metal House to start his new career as an electrical engineer.
He shoots me a look before grabbing a beer from the fridge. “Why? You interested in changing career paths?”
“Nope. But I got a really weird offer today,” I tell him. “You know anything about those yuppie gamers who’ve been revving around the city for the past couple of weeks?”
