Hard Ride (Men of Valor MC)

9

Gage

I look at the clock on the wall and can’t believe how long it’s been since I started working on this ridiculous fucking bike. It shouldn’t have surprised me in the least that when I came in there was a change order. Again. My back is going to take the brunt of it, and I’m damn sure getting too fucking old for this shit. After my stint as an Army Ranger, then coming out and jumping right back in the swing of things here at Aces Auto Repair, plus being the Treasurer for our club, it’s taking its toll on my body and mind. I think I’m ready to take a break and go for a ride, not a run. A ride with just me and my raven-haired temptress.

I set my tools down, turning off everything now that the bulk is welded and that little fucking shit can’t make any more changes without spending serious bank, and take my welder’s helmet, gloves, and coveralls off. I’m sweating like a whore in church beneath it, but there’s no way I’d be stupid enough not to protect myself. I reach for my phone hoping like hell that Nova texted me that she made it home safely. My dumbass self should have been doing that all along. Another thing I fucked up on.

I grab my phone off the work bench, looking to see if she called or left a text. There’s nothing there, not since yesterday morning when she and I texted after we both got in after work. I’m figuring she passed out the minute she made it home. There’s no way I’ll be getting any sleep today though. There’s too much to get done, like clean up my workspace, finish working on some reports, and deal with club shit.

My phone ringing stops me in my tracks. I smile when I see it’s Stella.

“What’s up, little mama?”

“Your nieces, Jesus H Christ. They’ve been up since six o’clock this morning. Can you hurry up and make Nova a part of the family? That way, I know you’ll have backup when you take all three girls, because you owe me. Do you know how filthy your house was when I went there yesterday?” She’s on a rampage today, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a long fucking deployment with her husband out of town.

“I owe you. I know it. Name your price,” I respond. This is going to be a long conversation, so I may as well settle in.

“Marrying Nova, but dude, seriously, you didn’t even take out the trash, let alone empty the fridge. Talk about a shit show,” she breathes out, mother-henning the entire time.

“What the hell do you think I’m trying to do, smartass?”

“Thank fuck. What time are you heading out that way? I still need to drop off groceries, and I don’t want us to cross paths. Plus, I figure I’ll let the girls fish on the lake for a little bit. Something has to wear the little heathens out.” I know just the thing for her.

“Not till later. Hey, in the shed, there’s cane poles for the girls. There should be enough for all four of you. The hooks are already attached. All you’ll need is bread. There’s even an umbrella if the trees don’t give you enough shade.” It’s the least I can do.

“Thanks, that will work perfectly. I’ll keep the girls out of the house unless it’s for bathroom breaks. Otherwise, it’ll just look like it just did,” Stella replies.

“Next weekend, I’m taking the girls. Friday night to Sunday. I can hear it in your voice. They can miss ballet, soccer, and art class. You need a weekend for just yourself, you hear me?”

“I hear you, but we’ll see.” She’ll admit that she needs help.

“Alright. Love you girls. Have a good time, and thanks, Stella.”

“We love you. Have a good time tonight, and don’t forget about what I said.” She’s as bad as our mother, I swear.

“No problem. Now, let me go so I can call my woman,” I mumble into the phone before we hang up.

Before I make a call, possibly waking up Nova when it’s still early, I finish cleaning up my workspace, walk outside, and breathe in the fresh air, then I pull up Nova’s name in my contact list and call her.

“The fuck?” I mumble into the phone when it goes straight to her voicemail. I hang up and dial again. It does the same thing. I text her, thinking maybe she’s on a call and it’s interfering. When my text doesn’t even say delivered, I know it’s time to head to her house. I’m running on fumes, zero caffeine, but I know in my gut something isn’t settling right.

“Hey, man, you coming or going?” Ice asks as he walks down from the apartment he keeps upstairs.