Page 27 of The Biker and the Loner
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"Seriously?"
Seconds before the credits roll, people fire up their engines and start to leave, attempting to beat the exit traffic, which, of course, results in more traffic.
Scratch makes no effort to join in on the exit craze. Same for the Heathens, who linger in wait for the others to clear out.
Onyx saunters over to our blanket and throws down, propped back on his elbows, that stupid infectious grin on his face. "Yo, Ley,” he greets. “Been a while.”
Onyx is a half-black ginger, with a face covered in freckles, a jawline that could cut glass, and a mass of textured red curls on his head. He’s different, and stands out in a crowd, but he owns it. His confidence is unapologetic and attractive, but it’s his happy-go-lucky personality that makes him so loved.
"Maybe for me, but not for you," I say, glowering at him. "I hear you've been detailing me all this time."
Busted, he glances at Scratch, then shrugs when he looks to me again. "Was just doing my brother a favor."
"If ‘favor’ is the term you want to use, sure."
He laughs. "So, are you guys a thing now?"
"No, " I say at the same time Scratch says, "Yes."
Onyx makes ayikesface. "Doesn't seem like you two are on the same page."
"Is there something you need, brother?" Scratch growls at him.
"Nope," he replies with an impish sparkle in his eyes. "Just killing time 'til that exit traffic is over."
"Go kill time somewhere else," Scratch says.
"Oof." Onyx falls to his back and clutches his chest with mock offense. "Brother, five years I’ve watched her for you and this is the thanks I get?" He folds his hands behind his head and stares up at the sky. "I'll leave you alone under one condition."
Scratch doesn't entertain him with a response, but he continues anyway. "You make me the best man at your wedding."
This makes me guffaw. A wedding with Scratch as the groom is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. "This won't get that far," I assure him.
"Grunt will be the best man at our wedding," Scratch replies as if I hadn't spoken.
"Ringbearer then," Onyx barters.
“Nope, that’s reserved for baby Neo.”
Baby Neo is Grunt and Toni’s son.
"Cool, then I’ll officiate," Onyx counters.
"For shit's sake," Scratch grumbles.
I tune them out, still stuck on the fact that Scratch is discussing our freakingwedding. What universe is this? Heart perks up, preening, but Brain quickly bitch-slaps it back in its cage.
They're men, they're just shooting the shit. Nothing to think too deep into. Right? Right.
Low expectations, no emotions. That’s the plan.
When I tune in again, Onyx is saying, "...hope to start seeing you at the compound again, Ley. The brothers have been saying they’ve missed mind-snapping you for good spank bank material."
"What the—" Scratch lunges, which jolts me forward since I’m still between his thighs.
But as if he was expecting it, Onyx is up and gone before Scratch's fist could connect. “C’mon, man, look at her! She’s a walking temptation.”
