Top Dog

“So, I haven’t seen you guys around town,” I said.

“Our club is relatively new to the area. We all just came from a meeting,” Adam said.

“I suggested this bar,” Jacob said.

“He’s the VP,” Nick said.

“Well, aren’t you important?” I teased with a smile. “What’s your club’s name?”

“Road Warriors,” Tyler said.

“How long have you guys been out this way?” I asked.

“About six months,” Tanner said.

“Moved this way from the Lodi area,” Tyler added.

“You been around Lucas Corner long?” Adam asked.

“Born and raised,” I answered.

The conversation went on like that for a little while; we bantered back and forth as I ran from one end of the bar to the other serving the crowd.

The twins, Tyler and Tanner, didn’t stay for very long. They finished their Coronas, then got up and left. I was disappointed they had gone so quickly, but they left me a twenty-dollar bill for their measly beer.

Each.

“Hell of a tip,” I said as I shoved the bills into my pocket.

“Hell of a woman,” Jacob said, grinning.

“So, what’s a woman like you doing working in a bar like this?” Nick asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’re obviously intelligent. You can keep up a conversation. I’m sure your dream isn’t to work in a bar your entire life,” Jacob said.

“I’d be interested to know why you started working in a bar in the first place,” Adam said.

“Okay, okay. One at a time,” I said, giggling. “I started working here when I was—young.”

“We catch your drift,” Jacob said.

“It was a job. I hated school and didn’t want to go, and my mother couldn’t have cared less. I was hired here as a bartender with absolutely no training, but it gave me the money I needed to save up for my store.”

“Your store?” Adam asked.

“Yeah. I’m opening my own biker clothing shop. Maybe have a clothing line, eventually. I figure with all the clubs here and in the surrounding area, I can drum up a pretty decent sized clientele and make a good living for myself. Plus, it gets me out of my mother’s house.”

“What’s wrong with your mother’s house?” Adam asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Well for starters, my mother lives there,” I commented, at which all the guys laughed.

I didn’t offer any other explanation, and they seemed to sense that I wouldn’t, so they didn’t pry.

“What kinds of clothes would you want to sell in your shop?” Nick asked.

“Demin and leather. Maybe a little bit of lace for the ladies. I also want to have an area in the store where people can drop their stuff off to get fixed. Tailored or patched up or whatever,” I said.