on his work, that man.
“Where the fuck do I park?”
Fingers lifts a hand and gestures to the spots near the door that are first in, first served for the prospects. Fuck. I walk the bike back and slip it in beside a machine that looks as if it gets dragged around on its side half the time; huge scratches adorn the pipes and tank, and the outside of the footrest is worn to a rough edge. Fuck that. If the guy who owns it treats his own ride like that, I don’t fancy the chances of mine being left untouched.
Fingers eyes me as I walk up to his work area and pick out two solid blocks from the stack by the end of the workbench. “What you doing?”
“Fucked if the moron who owns that go-kart is going to knock mine over or gouge it up getting his out.” I weigh the foot of the stand down with one block, and use the other as a makeshift stand on the opposite side, effectively locking my bike upright. Fingers laughs as I complete the precautions with a heavy dust cloth over the paintwork. I brush my hands off on the way indoors, a huge grin on my face. Sorted. Now for the worst of it.
Callum spots me first from his position on the sofa. He leans on one end of the seat, his leg propped up on a couple of cushions and an Easy Riders magazine in his hands. “Hey, shithead.”
“Fuck you, too.”
We both laugh.
“How’s the leg?” I ask, tipping my chin to how he has it elevated. “Serious?”
“Eh, not too bad.” He shrugs, placing the mag down on the floor. “Made a mess on exit though, so I’m on orders to keep it elevated when I can and to take it easy. Gloria’s worried about infection if I stress it too much.”
Gloria. Bless her. “How were things here when everyone got back?” I motion for him to scoot his good leg out of the way and sit on the edge of the cushion.
“Not sure on how it was initially. Got my ass dragged off to the fuckin’ vet for a couple of itchy extractions.” He winces at the memory. “All I can say is thank fuck I ain’t a dog. Those animal docs aren’t quite as gentle as your standard GP.”
“Guess the patients don’t usually complain.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have either, but fuck me, man. I was seriously debatin’ tellin’ the old bitch to saw my leg off and be done with it.”
I chuckle. “Can’t imagine you in a cage the rest of your life.”
Callum nods. “Yeah, right. I’d have Fingers sort something out. Pretty sure it’s possible to ride with one leg.”
I glance around at the common room and the apparent lack of people besides us. “Where is everyone?”
“Out. Working. Home.” Callum props himself up on both elbows and looks across the vast space at Apex’s office door. “Avoidin’ the dragon.”
“Heard he ain’t happy.”
“Wants your fuckin’ head on a platter.”
I sigh. “Heard that too.”
Callum scratches the stubble on his jaw. “He wants you out, but Beefy won’t let him.”
I sink my head into my hands, my elbows propped on my knees. “It’s a fuckin’ mess, man.”
“You’re tellin’ me. You got your patch a month ago or some shit and here you are fightin’ to stay in.” He narrows his gaze “You are stayin’? Right?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Tryin’ to. But fuck, man, I can’t let this go.”
“That girl?”
I look across at him and he shrugs.
“Everyone knows it’s about a girl.”
“She ain’t a girl.” She’s all woman, every last curve. “She’s a grown-up, brother, not some underage kid.”
“Each to their own,” he says with a smirk. “Anywho, I think Beefy is out back on the deck as usual. Better try to get to him before Apex gets to you.”
“Thanks.” He holds out his hand and I take it in a clinch. “You need anythin’ while I’m here?”
“Nah, I’m all good.” He picks his reading material up and opens it again as he shakes out the pages. “Go sort your shit, and then get back here to explain to me what the fuck is goin’ on, yeah?”
“Sure.” I chuckle.
John Warren, Libby Warren
F. Paul Wilson, Alan M. Clark