Page 36 of The Price of Love

Dimples stares at me for several beats before she picks up a rag and tosses it to me. “You can do the front tire.”

CHAPTER 16

DIMPLES

One last time, I count the bikes parked in the lot. Everyone’s here, so it won’t be long before we start the run. Though this is my thirteenth year riding with the Iron Thorns and my third as road captain, the first pack ride of the season never gets old. I’ve had a smile on my face all morning.

I tell myself it’s the ride, not last night. True to her word, Jazmin didn’t kiss me. After midnight, we ended the night with a quick hug and crossed no lines.

I shared more of my past with Jazmin than I have with anyone other than Storm. While I’d only touched the tip of the iceberg, I was stunned how natural it felt with Jazmin. Probably because she was so open about growing up in Cabrini-Green.

With as long as we talked, my bike is spotless, and things feel right. I can do this. Build a friendship with Jazmin and not cause a scandal. No way will I give Frost ammunition against Storm. Besides, friends are safer than lovers.

“Hey, Captain,” Halo calls. “How long before kickstands up?”

I glance at my watch. “Ya got ten minutes. Better make your last pitstop.”

Halo chuckles. “I’m heading that way.”

It’s our ongoing joke. Halo has the smallest bladder in the club, so I’m always having to build in extra stops when she’s on a ride.

I spot Rouge’s unmistakable red bandanna as she comes from the club. I make a beeline toward her.

“Hey, Captain,” Rouge says with a big smile.

“Hey, Gunner,” I respond as I give her a hug. “Are you ready?”

I chose Rouge as the tail gunner for this ride because she’s the best rider we have. Storm always lets me pick the gunner, and I’m grateful for that. The tail gunner brings up the rear of the pack. She’s responsible for keeping everyone together, wrangling any stragglers, and watching out for the prospects.

“I was born ready,” Rouge says in answer to my question. She splays out her arms and lifts her face to the sky. “There’s something magical about our first ride.”

I mimic Rouge’s movements, and the sun kisses my face. “Don’t I know it. Looks like the weather’s gonna be kind.”

Rouge pulls on the sleeve of her leather jacket. “I’m dressed in layers. It’s a bit nippy now, but it’s supposed to get a lot warmer.”

I put my arm over her shoulder and lean in since I’m a head taller. “Keep an eye on the prospects.”

“This isn’t my first rodeo, ya know.”

“Sorry. No offense. You know what you’re doing.”

She tilts her head. “Everything all right?”

I’ve gotta watch myself. Paying too much attention to the prospects is sloppy. “Yeah. Just being a mother hen. This’ll be Two’s first big pack ride.”

“Ah, right. I forgot. But One’s got it down.”

“Yeah, but Two is green.” My insides relax. I don’t need anyone to suspect anything. For fuck’s sake. What are they going to suspect? It was one kiss, and we put that back where it belonged.

“Got it.” Rouge purses her lips. “Maybe not my business, but when’s One gonna come up for a vote?”

It’s something I’ve given plenty of thought to. Once Jazmin has her patch, the rules will change. I shrug. “With everything going on, there’s no guarantees.”

“Say no more. It’s just a shame if the prospect gets caught in Frost’s bullshit. She better not stir up shit today.”

Instinctively, I look toward the bikes at the front of the pack and groan. Storm and Frost are standing near their bikes. It appears they’re talking, but their body language says they’d rather be standing next to a rabid raccoon than each other.

“I better get my ass over there.”