Page 5 of Joker
“Thank you for everything.” She pats my arms and gives me a small smile. “Johnny, time to go,” I shout, heading for the door.
Johnny comes running into the kitchen and hugs Mrs. Clark too.
“See you later,” he shouts as he races out the door.
That boy does everything at speed. Laughing to myself, I make my way next door. Turning the corner into the front garden, I come to a halt. Johnny is standing with a man and two women who all look very business-like. Squaring my shoulders, I walk over to them and pull Johnny to me.
“Can I help you?” I ask, trying to sound older and braver than I feel.
A tingle shoots down my spine. Whatever these people want, I know it’s not good.
CHAPTERTHREE
JOKER
THE PRESENT
Today was a good day and exactly what I’d needed. My brothers and I had taken a ride out to see our Phoenix chapter. Help them celebrate the VP’s wedding. When a brother gets married, it is always a reason for a party. Never could understand how a brother could stick with one woman. I had tried once, and it didn’t end well. Staying free is the way to go for me.
The drive from Phoenix had taken us two days. I’m hot and sticky. Can’t wait for a cold beer, a shower, and then find me some fun for the night. Don’t get me wrong, my favorite place to be is on my bike. A nice long ride with the wind at your back is the most freeing sensation and always clears the fog and makes life clearer. It’s my thinking space.
Pulling up to the clubhouse, we park our bikes in the very full lot. Bikes and cars are everywhere. Not only have we been celebrating Snake’s wedding, but also one of our own being released from the big house after a very long stretch. Usually, we throw a big party and really help them settle back into life on the outside. Only this time, I am not looking forward to Reck being released.
Reck’s daughter was my first love. She was my world, until one day, she and her brother just disappeared. Gone! We had tried everything to track them down. It seemed that Child Protective Services got wind that Reck was locked up and their ever-absent mother was not taking her role seriously. Both Carrie and Johnny were placed into the system.
Johnny was lucky and was adopted locally. We did manage to find him a few years ago, and he’s now part of the club as a prospect. Sadly, we never did find Carrie, not that I stopped looking for her. We just hadn’t broken the news to Reck.
Feeling a hand smacking me on the back brings me out of my memories. Turning, I face my best friend and brother, Tank.
“I can’t wait for a shower and wet pussy,” he says with his trademark grin.
The bastard is built like his name, but also goes through anything like a tank. Nothing stands in his way. Women flock to him, and he loves it. Biggest man-whore around!
We’ve been best friends since high school. He loved Carrie as much as I did. She was like his sister, and he’d treated her like she was precious to him. I know he misses her still. They had this weird non-sexual connection. If she ever needed to feel safe or loved and I wasn’t around, Tank was her go-to. She was also the only one who could get through to him when his rage took over.
Laughing, I smack him back, and we head for the clubhouse. Pushing open the heavy door, smoke, the smell of weed, and loud rock music hit you in the face like a wall. These are the smells and sounds of home.
Making our way toward the bar at the back, Tank nods to the prospect for two beers. Grabbing my beer and nodding my thanks to the prospect, I turn to rest against the bar and take in the room. Brothers with old ladies are relaxing, and the sweet butts are huddled in a corner waiting for the old ladies and girlfriends to leave so the party could really start.
I sit at the bar for a while, shooting the shit with my brothers and catching up. The long day starting to catch up with me, I make my way out to my bike to grab my stuff from my saddlebags. While making my way across the parking lot, I can make out a shadow across the road. Slowing my walk a little, I try to get a better look.
Not being able to see much, I make my way to the gatehouse. Thinking if I could get closer to the shadow, I’d be able to make out who it might be. They are hiding a little, but something makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Getting closer, I can make out the shadow a little better, it seems to be a woman, and she is staring at the clubhouse.
“Can I help?” I ask, trying to keep my voice friendly so as not to scare her. She is an older woman, eyes large with fright.
“Noo . . .” she stutters, turning and running back into the shadows toward a car.
She jumps in and speeds away before I can make a move.
“Alright, man?” a booming voice said behind me with a large hand landing on my shoulder.
I turn to Wolf standing behind me, eyeing the spot the woman was just standing.
“Yeah, brother, not sure what she wanted. I asked, but she ran.”
He looked me over, something in his eyes telling me he had also felt that something was wrong. Wolf is a founding member, but also a bit of a psychic. He would get these vibes or feelings when shit is going to go down. But this time, I’d felt it too, and he knew it.
“Take it easy, son. I agree, somethings coming,” he growls, turning and making his way back to the party.
