Friction (Oath Keepers MC Book 5) (10 page)

Maybe it’s not always about trying to fix something broken.

Maybe it’s about starting over and creating something better.

-Unknown

“Errrmmmm. Bastards. Fuck you.
Bastards.” I grumble as I attempt to move my arms, recalling what happened in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Before I get a chance to freak out about being restrained, 2 Piece breaks my thoughts.

“Twist? Brother, you good?” he asks anxiously, interrupting the image I had of fighting with the Mexican medic and laughing loudly inside the ambulance when they threatened me. I remember it going dark after that, so they must have shot me up with something heavy.

“Hmmm?” My eyes crack open—sore from the drugs and bright light—meeting his after a moment.

“You straight?”

“Hmmmpf. Yep, fuckin’ dicks shoved a goddamn needle into my fuckin’ arm.”

I can’t stand being totally out like that or someone tryin’ to hold me down; it makes me want to gut them. I had to be restrained after my car accident; I’ll never forget the way the cuffs felt as they dug into my wrists, the skin raw and bleeding. I was grieving, having to live with the fact that not even driving my car into a tree would bring my family back to me. Nobody gave a fuck about how I felt then, just as I’m sure they don’t now.

Chuckling, 2 Piece makes his way to my bedside, undoing the buckles on the nylon restraints they had holding my wrists into place. As soon as my hands are free, I rip the fucking gauze off my head and arm. I’m sure I have cuts and road burn or whatever-the-fuck, but the gauze makes it hurt even more.

“Seriously? Fuckin’ restraints?” I mutter agitated. I didn’t hit anyone…that I can remember anyhow, no reason to be buckled in like a fuckin’ animal.

“From what I got, you scared the medics and they thought you was gonna hurt somebody when you woke up again.”

“Fuckin’ right. I told ‘em I ain’t need no damn hospital, to leave me on the road. What I
need
is to get back to Sadie; I know she’s gotta be beat. Bitch is always on her feet,” I grumble, my concerns going straight to Sadie’s welfare and hoping she ate like she’s supposed to and didn’t forget. I found out not long ago that she wasn’t eating in the evenings anymore, so I’ve been trying to get her a sandwich or fruit—something to keep her and the baby fed at nighttime.

“My little sister is fine. She’s pregnant, not incapable. Don’t let her hear you callin’ her a bitch neither, brother; you won’t have any nuts left when she’s done with ya. Her ass probably left me a huge bruise from the kick she gave me, findin’ out you’re in here.”

I grin and nod, “I know, crazy-ass chick.”

One of the many things I like about her. She’s not scared to give you her opinions and I saw how hard she can kick shit when she was pissed this morning. I hope the brother does get a big ass bruise, least he deserves for always arguing with me and getting on my case.

“You good to ride?” He nods at my stomach. “Doc said you have a broken rib and once you stop being a pussy you’ll be okay.”

“I’m no pussy, motherfucker. You’re just mad ‘cause I’m older and wiser than your pretty boy ass.”

“Whatever man; I catch shit from all y’all whether I’m older or younger. Don’t give a fuck. You’re just hatin’, ‘cause you look like you went through a damn meat grinder.”

“Fuck.” I wince, because honestly that’s how I feel, not that I would let any of them know it; but my face is on fire, my arms are singing, and my ribs protesting simply breathing.

“Yup, you’re gonna hurt. Now we bouncin’ from this joint or what?”

“Yeah, yeah, give me a sec.”

I have to ditch this fuckin’ dress they put me in. Maybe I should keep it on, just to give the stale fuckers a show while we drive down the highway. I’m sure some cougar would appreciate a bright, white ass on display while they drive home to their boring lives.

2 Piece hands me my clothes and I slip my pants on, gritting my teeth each time I have to bend or move in a different direction. Fucked up ribs are no joke. I can’t wait to catch the bastards responsible for this shit.

“I could use a little pick-me-up to give me some energy after coming off the tranq and to help ease up the pain a little. You got anythin’?”

“Naw, man. Cain took the blow that was in your saddlebag.”

Fuck! Cain’s exactly who would have more, too, and he isn’t fuckin’ here.

“Figured,” I grunt, slipping my feet into my chunky black motorcycle boots. Most of the guys don’t use anything regularly, but occasionally they’ll party a little harder than the average bottle of whiskey or tequila.

I draw in a deep breath, winding the clear IV tubing around my hand to get a good grip, and then rip the IV straight out of my arm. I swear that shit feels like being sliced open with a knife. It fuckin’ hurts unless I’m just being a giant pansy-ass all a sudden from the rib and road rash pain.

“Shit, man!” 2 Piece barks, and I shrug, playing it off like nothing, but my grunt of pain probably already gave my discomfort away.

I quickly wrap some of the new gauze from the table by my bed over the IV place to help stop the bleeding and ease a little of the uncomfortable pinch. 2 hands me my cut after I pull my T over my head. It’s all torn up and filthy full of blood from the wreck but my leather covers most of it.

The nurse enters my room, looking like she’s already on a mission to keep me here longer than necessary.

“Oh, sir! Please lie down! The doctor needs to come check you over, please!” she demands.

“I’m outta this fuckin’ rat hole. Only place you’re takin’ me, is to fuckin’ jail if you don’t clear outta my way,” I growl, sick of being here—over being tied down in this place. I can’t do doctors, shrinks, none of them. I get it that they have a job to do and I’m glad someone’s able to do it, but ain’t no good ever come to me from being trapped in one of these places.

The nurse easily scoots to the side as I tower over her, but I have to give her credit for trying. “Please, sir, allow her some time to come and go over your injuries.”

“Not fuckin’ happenin’, Red. Doc already paid me a visit.” I won’t give them another minute to lock me up in a mental house next. I heard 2 blubbering on about the doctor, so I know this bitch is lyin’.

The red-headed nurse’s cheeks tint with my nickname, and without a moment wasted, I’m out the door. If the security staff is going to stop me, they better hurry and be prepared for one hell of a fight.

2 Piece follows quickly, thanking all the nurses on our way to the parking area. “Come on, brother, we’re parked over in ‘B’. The prospect brought you a bike.”

“What are you talkin’ about?” I grunt, as pain shoots up my side and momentarily steals my breath.

“Your bike is trash man; I’m sorry.”

“Ah, fuck. Probably about time I start lookin’ for a new one anyhow.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep, gotta get a bitch seat.”

“You need to slow the fuck down with Sadie, brother.”

He can keep warning me off, but in the end, I’ll be the one who decides what happens with me and her. Right now after an accident like that, though, all I can think about is having her pressed up behind me on my bike. I need her closeness like she gave me the other day; it was pure heaven whether I tell myself different or not, that’s the truth.

I let loose a huff and keep quiet. I’m in no mood to argue at the moment, my head’s still a bit fuzzy.

We mount the bikes and he sends me another glare. “You know I oughta beat your ass. I will if you fuck with her and that kid.”

“I ain’t doin’ a motherfuckin’ thing but helpin’ her out when she needs it, brother.”

I get it he’s worrying an’ all, but shut the fuck up already. He seems to forget she’s a goddamn grown-ass woman, and if we fuck, it ain’t his business. I’ve had my issues with 2 plenty a times, but after I saved his ass in a warehouse awhile back, shit’s calmed down some. Doesn’t mean I won’t gladly pop him in the mouth if needed though.

2 Piece and I arrive at the clubhouse and there’s a shit ton of different bikes parked out front, instantly sending up more red flags. Something obviously happened while I was out of it, and I’m betting it has to do with the little fucks who caused me to wreck.

“The fuck’s goin’ on 2 Piece?”

“Car bomb in the fuckin’ compound. Cain went ape shit over the phone, real serious stuff here. I’m guessin’ the other charters are here to help us with retaliation. I was at the hospital with you when it all went down.”

“This shit better not blow back. So fuckin’ tired of women gettin’ hurt ‘cause of fucking twats and our Prez leaving us out of shit. When the fuck did our club become this?”

“I feel ya, brother, trust me. Last thing I want is anyone else affected by bullshit. Ares is in charge now; he’s handling stuff for Prez, so hopefully he can figure it all out.”

I sure as fuck hope Sunshine’s okay, but I’m sure if she wasn’t 2 Piece would have said something about it.

The club door cracks open slightly and Spin points a gun through the opening. Once he sees us and looks behind us, he releases the door enough so we can come inside. The bar is packed full of members. Most are from the surrounding charters, but a few really harsh, mean looking fuckers’ cuts advertise NOMADS. All the other cuts announce fellow Oath Keepers MC members. There are brothers here from Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. I’m guessing they all came straight from a rally happening in Austin.

Spin turns to me, “You good, brother?”

“Fuckin’ peaches an’ cream, Spinny,” I grin, and he chuckles, rolling his eyes. I don’t feel like talkin’ though. All I want is to find Sadie, and then figure out what all went down.

“Twist! My God! What on earth happened to your face? I didn’t see your forehead before, that’s terrible, maybe you should put the gauze back on it?” Sadie gapes, running up to me, and my stomach grips, turning sharply inside. I hate seeing her so upset over me like this.

“I’m okay, Sunshine; the gauze is garbage.”

She ignores me—in ‘fix it’ mode. “Ice! God, we need some ice!” she yells, and takes off quickly toward the kitchen. At least I got to see her and know she’s all right after all.

London comes up to us, concern in her eyes. “Twizzler! You okay, love?”

“Ah Cupcake, you know I’m good.” I pull her to me in a light hug.

She softly kisses my cheek, always so caring. “If you need anything, just ask.”

“Thanks’ darlin’, I will.”

She smiles briefly, and then makes her way back over to Cain’s lap.

I turn to 2; I’ve gotta’ give it to him, not being his usual dick self while I was laid up. “Thanks for sittin’ with me.”

“It’s nothin’, brother.”

Sadie enters the room scanning over the crowd like a mad woman and I swear she takes my breath away—with her flushed cheeks and swollen tits popping over the top of her thin tank top—knowing she’s looking for me.

Eventually, she ushers me back to our room, getting me to lie down and be still once she promises me a bottle of rum. After she’s all settled in and I’ve had a few drinks, I strum my guitar until I see her drift off, then I lie beside her wondering how in the fuck I’m going to talk my brothers into letting me keep her and if I should bring it up in a vote.

One week later…

“Where are we going?” Sunshine peers over at me curiously. She’s worn a smile ever since she’s woken up today, and I thought it’d be a perfect time to get her out of the clubhouse. She’s obviously feeling good and I want to take advantage of it.

“You’ll see.”

“You’re going to make me wait, huh?” She cocks her eyebrow and I grin.

“Yup, now just sit back an’ chill, babe.”

I can’t wait until she’s able to ride on my bike and not be stuck in this cage all the time, not like we’re gonna get much privacy today as it is with the prospect followin’ along. It’s pretty goddamn annoying.

We arrive at Lake Travis and since it’s early during the week, no one’s around and it’s the perfect way to hang out with Sadie. We both seem to like to do our own thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brothers, but I’ve been more of a loner ever since I left the military. Back when I was in, I was always around my buddies and what not; but after losing Marissa and my baby, I’ve never really felt the need to be around anyone else. Me an’ Sadie baby get on good ‘cause we’re both pretty quiet, but I’ve learned that you don’t always need a lot of words.

“Oh the lake?”

“Yes, ma’am; figured we could sit by the water and eat, it’ll be good to get you in some fresh air.”

“You’re taking me on a picnic, Twist?”

“I didn’t think about it like that, but I guess you’re right.”

“That’s so sweet! Thank you.”

“It’s nothin’, Sunshine.” I park her car and hurry around to help her out.

“So what all did you bring us to eat?”

“Food,” I reply simply and help her down to a flat spot.

I run back up to the car and get the old comforter and the bag of food I brought along for us. The prospect drives down a little way, so he’s close enough to see if anyone drives up to us, but also far enough away to give us privacy. Not bad, I’m actually a little impressed that he’s not over here tryin’ to be up my ass and all.