Hellion (Southern Rebels MC)

“Wasn’t planning on doing a whole lot of talking,” I informed him.

“I’ll take care of it.” My expression didn’t change and Dwayne took a step closer. “I said, I’ll take care of it.” He nodded to the track. “Let your old lady have some fun. Don’t ruin your day over Dale.”

“Trust me, beating the crap out of Dale wouldn’t ruin my day.”

“It might ruin hers,” Dwayne answered, swiping his hand over his mouth. “Let me handle it.” I exhaled and Dwayne relaxed. He motioned to Cadence, who was still creeping along. “Can she drive a stick?”

I glanced at him. “Now you ask?” I glanced at the back of the car, not having a clue if she could, but told him, “Yeah, of course she can.” We caught up to her as she turned on to the track and leaned against the chain link fence. “Out of curiosity, what’s it going to cost me if something happens to the car?”

Dwayne sent me a sideways glance. “You got a side hustle I haven’t heard about?”

“That much?”

“More.”

The engine revved and we both looked back up as she tore down the track, the car accelerating at an unbelievable speed. She zipped around the track in less than thirty seconds, never bothering to downshift as she took the curves.

“I’m gonna need to borrow your old lady Tuesday night,” Dwayne shouted over the roar of the 420 horsepower engine as it flew by us, his eyes never leaving the car. My fingers curled around the chain link as I watched her rocket around the track, the loud engine drawing some of the guys to come watch.

“Street racing is illegal,” I reminded Dwayne and he shook his head.

“Nah, I want to take her to the drag racing field. Got a couple of guys out there who I owe a little payback on bets.” He whistled as she kept flying around the track. “Is she going to stop?”

A laugh escaped me, already knowing the answer. “When she runs out of gas.”

***

My phone started to ring, cutting Cadence off as she described her trip around the track once again. The car’s Bluetooth picked up the call, lighting the screen with Mom’s name. I hit the answer button as Cadence grew quiet.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Noah, it’s been forever since I saw you.”

“I saw you on Sunday,” I reminded her. “For supper.”

“And it feels like forever,” she replied. “Can you come by tonight? I think I’ve got a squirrel in the attic. The little thing is driving me mad.”

“A squirrel?” I said doubtfully, already knowing where this was headed as I glanced over at Cadence in the passenger seat.

“It could be a bat.”

“And you need me to get rid of it?”

“That would be wonderful. I’m making pot roast.”

“My favorite.”

“Of course. And you know there’s always plenty leftover so if you wanted to bring a friend by….” She trailed off and I shook my head in amusement.

“I thought you wanted me to get rid of the squirrel?”

“I can entertain your friend while you get rid of the mouse.”

“It’s a mouse now.”

“It’s something. Did I mention I have a peach cobbler in the oven?”

I groaned, knowing she was definitely playing dirty now.

“I can come by and get the rodent out of the attic.”

“And you’ll bring your friend?”

I glanced at Cadence questioningly and she lifted her hands in an, “It’s up to you, bud,” motion. I rubbed my temple and sighed. “I’ll bring a friend,” I finally said.

“Excellent,” Mom answered, satisfaction ringing in her voice. “Five o’clock.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The call ended and Cadence smirked at me. “There’s nothing in the attic is there?”

“The only rat in that house is a nosy one.” She laughed and I shook my head. “You don’t know what you just signed up for.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“You’re still riding high from driving that Mustang.”

“Cobra Jet Mustang,” she corrected, bouncing in her seat. “And caffeine.” She held up the Thermos that seemed to be permanently affixed to her hand now. “And it’s empty.”

“Can you make it until tomorrow?”

She let out a dramatic sigh, her head hitting the back of the seat. “I guess. If I get peach cobbler.”

“That’s guaranteed.” I paused. “And the third degree.”

“She should know everything about me by now,” Cadence griped, alluding to the town gossip mill.

“If it’s what I know, then it’s a whole lot of nothing,” I retorted and she rolled her eyes. “Except I now know you love fast cars.”

“Vintage cars,” she corrected and I shot her a skeptical look. “That also go fast,” she amended with an angelic smile.

“Uh huh.”

“You know I like coffee.”

“I know you’re a coffee snob,” I retorted with a smile. “And you have interesting taste in pets.”

“Do not refer to Nico as a pet in front of him,” she warned, her face completely serious. “He considers himself a sidekick.”

“Then you have interesting taste in sidekicks,” I replied drolly. “Back to what I don’t know about you….I don’t even know your last name.”