Page 7 of Ripper
I felt his strong hand in mine, shaking it. I tucked my hair behind my ear, giving his bike one last look before it was ready to go. I watched as he got onto the back of it, his hand gripping the handles tightly, and I just couldn’t ignore how hot he was. I got a good look at the name plastered onto the back of his leather jacket.The Blazing Rebels?
Uncle Axle came back a while later, and when he went to go grab his tools, my curiosity got the better of me, and I blurted out what I’d been holding back for a while.
“Ah, Ripper came to pick up his bike. He’s a part of the Blazing Rebels? Do you know anything about that?”
“Oh, no. You don’t want to be getting involved with bikers, remember?”
“I just want to know what that life is all about. I mean, can you really blame me? It was such a big part of you and Dad’s life,” I said.
Uncle Axle sighed, putting his tools down, pulling up the plastic chair near the workbench so we could finally talk.
“Riding is all we knew, Ronnie. I’ve been in this town a long time, and I’ve seen some shit that would make anyone want to run. Your dad and I may have never joined a club on our own, but that didn’t mean we weren’t paying attention. Once the Blazing Rebels started popping up around Mascid, we knew they were good for it,” he said.
“What made you so sure?”
“They weren’t like those greedy asshats that would roll through town expecting handouts. They didn’t try to take shit from the people that were just trying to get by. That club operates like a club should, like a family. They’ve dealt with some real shit over the years. Everyone wants what they have.”
“What kind of shit?” I asked, curiously.
“The kind that could get you killed, Ronnie. I think it’s best you steer clear of any bikers round here unless they’re rolling up to the shop for a fix, okay? I promised your dad I’d keep you safe.”
I nodded, realizing that it must’ve been quite the experience to be part of a club that truly felt like family.
I smiled. I thought that after that talk with Uncle Axle that it would’ve satiated my craving to learn more about bikers, about my father, about what their life was really like, but it didn’t. I found myself wanting to know more.
***
I met up with Charlotte at her house later the next afternoon, and I had my first riding lesson. It was much harder than I thought it’d be, but by the time the sun finally started to set, I was getting the hang of it.
It’s like riding a bike. A really fast, really dangerous bike,I told myself, pulling it back into her front yard.
“You did incredible.”
“Hey, do you want me to give you a ride to the Tavern? I don’t mind heading there for a real drink this time.”
“That would be great. I’ll drive you home afterward,” she said, and I thanked her.
We both arrived at the Tavern a half hour later to see that the place was already starting to fill up. Charlotte went on to start her shift, and I enjoyed a basket of hot fries before deciding on what drink I wanted. She came back over once the rush started to die down, and I still found myself a little hungry.
“Decided?”
“Can you make me something fruity where I won’t taste the alcohol?” I asked.
“Lightweight. Yes, I can. I’ll get you some hippie juice.”
“Some what?”
“Just trust me.”
I smiled, letting her make me some kind of watermelon concoction that was surprisingly very delicious. I ordered myself some chicken tenders a while later and ate until I was finally full. I enjoyed the atmosphere tonight, and I realized having Charlotte there made me feel a lot more comfortable. That was until I heard the front door open, and I glanced over to see a familiar face walk right in.
There he was, the man that practically made me go weak in the knees for the first time in my entire life by just being near me. I squinted when I realized the collar of his T-shirt had been stained red. There was blood crusting on the side of his face, and that’s when it hit me.Oh my God. What the hell did he get himself into?I tried not to look in his direction, picking at my tenders and fresh fries, but he sat down right next to me.
“Ronnie. Twice in one week. I guess I’m one lucky guy, huh?”
“Hello, Ripper,” I said.
It was hard not to look at him, at the blood that was trickling down his neck, and that’s when I realized the entire left side of his jaw had been slashed.
