Page 27 of Joyride
“Babe, give him her number and her cell phone she left here,” he says to Sienna. She gives me Wren’s number, even though I already have it, and promises to get the cell phone after dinner. After we eat, Shade and I bullshit some before I leave.
* * *
Today is officiallythe day our new brothers get initiated into the MC. The rest of the New Orleans Riders got here yesterday, so tonight we’re having a big party to celebrate. Tomorrow, Clutch and I head back for a month. I’m ready to go back, only because that’s where Wren is. Last night I started drawing up her lotus flower.
One of the best parts of being a tattoo artist is when a client trusts you and gives you full rein of the design they want. I’m adding some designs to the flower when my phone buzzes. Little Bird flashes across the screen.
From Little Bird:Third day at the shop in the books!
From Little Bird:This place is awesome. Thanks again for the hookup.
To Little Bird:I’m glad you’re enjoying.
From Little Bird:Me too. Any word on when you’re coming back yet?
To Little Bird:Sometime this weekend. You miss me or something?
From Little Bird:Or something. ;)
I close up my book, sticking it in my duffle bag. It’s almost time for the new brothers to receive their cuts. I head out to the main room, which is currently packed. Even the Nomads rode in to be here for this. Tink and Lolita are both working at the bar tonight since there are so many brothers here.
“Look who came out of hiding,” Rascal jabs.
I flip him off. “I was drawing something up for a client I have this weekend.”
“Speaking of, we need to set something up for when you get back,” he tells me. “I need some new ink.”
“You got it. I’ll be out there for at least a month, though,” I remind him.
“That’s cool. Gives me time to decide which one I’m getting next. Are you gonna do all the ink for the new brothers?”
“I’m gonna talk to my brother about it. Maybe have them all come into the shop one day and the five of us can do them,” I say. The loud shrill of a whistle rings throughout the clubhouse. Everyone turns their attention to the middle of the room where Bull and Ranger stand.
“Listen up, fuckers. There has been talk of the Savage Menaces MC expanding into other states. Today, we make it a reality. We have eight brothers joining us as our New Orleans chapter. Four will be Riders and four Menaces. First up, he will be Prez of the New Orleans chapter, Gator!” Bull holds his cut up as Gator walks over to him. The clubhouse erupts in cheers. Bull holds it while Gator slips his arms into it before turning and shaking his hand. Gator moves to the left of Bull.
“Next, we have our VP of our New Orleans chapter, Chaos!” He continues, announcing each brother, one at a time. Vegas will be their Sergeant at Arms while Biggie will be the Enforcer. Since there will only be a total of eight starting out, Chaos will act as the Treasurer and Vegas will act as Road Captain on top of their other titles. Once they recruit some more brothers, they can assign someone else those titles.
Once Bull has handed out everyone’s cuts, the party starts. Cut bunnies are everywhere. I do my best to avoid them. I only want one woman who happens to be eight hours away and I don’t even know if she wants me.
18
Wren
I’m finishingup a phone call with a potential client when Elena walks into the shop. Cheshire is standing next to me, doodling on a post-it note. He lifts his head, his eyes roaming over Elena. It’s the first time in twenty minutes he’s looked away from his drawing. Elena quickly glances at him before bringing her eyes to me. I hold up a finger, telling her it’ll be a minute.
“I have an opening Thursday with Knave at two-thirty and one with Rabbit at five,” I tell the client.
“I’ll take the one with Rabbit at five,” the guy replies.
“Alright, I’ll add you to the schedule. We’ll see you then.” I hang up with the client. “Hey, E. What’s up?”
“I, uh, was hoping you might be able to go to lunch with me,” she says. Her eyes shift between Cheshire and me. I turn to Ches, who’s eyes haven’t left Elena since she walked in.
“Ches, you think y’all will be okay without me for an hour?”
My words snap him out of his daze and he turns to face me. “Yeah, go ahead. I’ll cover the desk.”
“Thanks!” I turn back to Elena. “Let me go grab my purse.”
