Page 36 of Truck

I pull back slightly, and am surprised when Rory nibbles my bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth. I smile at the sensation and feel her mouth smile, too.

Rory leans into me more, and I move my hands to one behind her head and one on her hip. I pull her gently into me but keep them from wandering even though I would like them to.

Pulling away, Rory looks at me and her eyes are misted. “That was a great kiss, Truck. Maybe we can have a next time.”

Before I can say anything, Rory quickly moves away from me, unlocks and opens the door before giving me a bright smile. “Night, Rory,” I grunt before she giggles and closes the door.

Chapter 19

TRUCK

Walking into the gas station, I give Collins a nod as I start to pass. He is cleaning the area behind the registers ready for us to open the station on Tuesday.

“Where’s Xero?” I ask, pausing my stride.

Collins quickly replies, “He’s in the back with Bull. The recovery team is all out on jobs, and Bull needed a hand with a table. You’ll find them in the office.”

“Thanks,” I turn and head through the station and out the back to where the office has been situated.

Stepping inside, I smirk at Bull, Mitchell, and Xero struggling to position a long table against the wall. I quickly step up and take a corner, lift and take some of the weight.

“Why the fuck have you got something this heavy and how did you even get it in here?” I ask as I breathe hard while holding my end of the table.

Bull smirks. “It didn’t come in this size, numbskull. We’ve built it and are now positioning it.”

“Why he didn’t build it against the wall, I don’t know?” Mitchell snorts, taking some of the cockiness from Bull.

Bull snorts but remains quiet otherwise. We all give him a scathing look as we eventually push the damn thing into place. “Why is it so damn long?”

“It is the main desk for the computers, and the monitors will be placed on the wall above it. There will be three workstations covering the length, and each of us at a station will be able to place recovery vehicles where needed. We are going to put systems into the truck so that we know exactly where they are. That way, if anything happens, we know where to reach them, either by telephone or physically get to them.” Bull stands back with his hands on his hips, looking pleased with himself. “We’ll also know in the system which vehicle is in dock being serviced or being fixed. We’ll be able to keep track of the stock we have in the bays for the trucks. I don’t want us in a position where we can’t fix a vehicle because we are waiting for parts.”

“Good move, Bull,” Mitchell responds as he heads for the door.

I turn and follow him with Xero behind me. I give a flick of my chin to Bull as I leave, and I turn to Xero. “Tonight, make sure you three are at the clubhouse. I’ve spoken to Pres, and he’s going to bring up the subject of you three being full brothers during church this evening. He’s okay with the idea and you’d have to be fully onboard because we don’t leave the brotherhood, except in a box.”

“Okay, we’ll be there. We have discussed it, Truck, and we feel okay here, like we belong. I think that’s why we are invested in the gas station. It’s a commitment we are ready to work with,” Xero looks at Mitchell who is standing alongside us and nodding his head in agreement. “We can fit in with the brotherhood. Let’s be honest, we are all prior service and know what it is like to have each other’s backs. None of us suffer fools, and we are not fools.”

I slap Xero’s shoulder. “I’m off now. But I’ll see you later at the clubhouse. Not sure there is more to do here today and I’m not wasting my time.” I don’t wait for either of them to say more, I rush over to my hog and fire her up. I need to get to the clubhouse before lunch is over.

Parking outside Rory’s house, I climb out of the truck and walk around to the passenger side. Opening the door, I pick up the box that is in the foot space and head to the front door of the house. I give the door a sharp knock and lean on the frame, waiting for Rory to answer. I know she’s home because her car is parked in her small driveway.

The door opens, and Rory gives me a surprised look, but follows it quickly with a smile. “Hi, Truck, what’s going on?”

“I brought lunch. A nice one that Jo put together for me. I’m going to be busy tonight with a club meeting, so thought I’d see you now.”

Rory opens the door wider. “Come in. I’ve not eaten lunch yet, so this is a pleasant surprise.”

I follow her into the kitchen and lay out the box on the table. I quickly take out the assortment of food that Jo put together, and Rory places plates and cutlery on the table.

“Would you like a drink?”

“If you have a bottle of water that would be good, thanks,” I reply as I place a piece of fried chicken, potato salad and coleslaw onto Rory’s plate.

“Wow, this is like a picnic, but indoors,” Rory says as she takes her seat at the table. Passing me a bottle of water and placing one for herself on the table in front of her. “Thank you, Truck. This is amazing, and a welcome surprise.”

“You're welcome.” I take a bite of the fried chicken from my own plate and look at the sandwiches that were added to the box. Pastrami Reubens, one of my favorites, and I know that Jo makes a mean Reuben using her home-made Russian dressing.

We eat quietly for a moment, and after I wipe my hands on a paper napkin that was in the box, I turn to Rory. “So, what have you planned for the week?”