Chapter 70 It’s more than fun. Let’s get going
BEAST
I pulled my bike to a stop outside the house where Lia and Owen lived. I got off my Harley and watched my brother Hex park his bike right next to mine. He shut off the engine and looked over at me.
“You ready to meet your new man?” I asked him, smiling a little.
He swung off his bike and stood beside me. I’m six foot five. Hex is six foot. The kind of don’t-mess-with-me energy he gives off is serious. Honestly, all my brothers and I have that vibe, but Hex is on another level. He’s quiet most of the time. He only talks when it matters. The rest of us joke around constantly, but Hex doesn’t. He mostly just watches.
When he first wanted to join the club two years ago, I was the one who brought him in. I met him on a two-week run. I had taken Viper’s spot because Catalina was sick, and Viper needed to be home with her and their one-year-old, Cameron. Hex was twenty-eight, working as a bartender at a place we stopped to relax. While Butcher, Clown, Bear, Doc, and I were playing pool and drinking, a couple of college kids started fighting over some girl. One of them pulled a knife. Before we could even move, because they were brawling their way toward us, Hex jumped over the bar. He kicked the guy with the knife behind the knee, grabbed his wrist and broke it, then turned and knocked the other guy out cold. All in about ten seconds. He didn’t say a word. He just pointed at the girl who had started the whole thing, then went back to serving drinks. I looked at my guys. We were all impressed.
Later, after the bar closed, I waited for him outside. When he came out, he stopped dead when he saw me. I watched him make fists, crack his neck, and get ready for a fight. I laughed and told him to relax. Then I told him about the club and the brotherhood, and I asked if he was interested in trying out. He stared at me for a long time, then just nodded. I gave him my number and told him to come when he was ready. A month later, he showed up at our clubhouse. He was a solid brother and a good man to have at your back.
We found out he was gay when one of the club girls tried to get with him. He just said, “I’m gay,” and walked away. That was right before we voted to make him a full member. When we talked about giving him his patch, Butcher brought it up, and every single one of us said we didn’t care. The guy had proven himself again and again. He did all the dirty work without complaint, he knew how to keep his mouth shut, and one night at dinner, he caught Narissa when she fell out of Torque’s arms. Torque had turned to say something to Jenna, and Narissa chose that moment to throw herself backward. Torque was caught off guard. Hex just reached out, caught her in mid-air, and set her on his hip. Torque doesn’t hug people, but he hugged Hex that night.
So we gave him his patch, and we have never been sorry about it.
I told him about Owen and Lia, and when I asked if he wanted to come help me pick them up, he just nodded. So I decided to skip the SUV and take our bikes instead. I was hoping he and Owen might get along. With Torque and Viper finding their women, I’ve felt this urge to help the rest of my brothers find their own happiness. Call me a romantic. I like seeing my brothers happy. I may be a tough biker who can fight and do what needs to be done, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.
Hell, I’ve even got my eye out for an Old Lady for Papa Leonardo.
“You said his name is Owen?”
“Yeah. He’s a good-looking guy, too. A little on the pretty side, but I think he’s your type.”
“Why do you say that? You’ve never seen me with a guy. You don’t know my type.”
“Let’s just say I’ve seen you watch Clown and Shark when they’re with their women. They’re leaner than the rest of us. I’ve seen the look in your eyes. Especially when Carrie goes down on Clown and he strips. He’s lean and defined. So is Owen.”
“How do you know that?” he asked as we walked toward the front door.
“Saw a poster in their house this morning. He was with five drag queens for a club called Slick Willies. He was the slimmest one on the poster. The others were all curves and glitter. The poster had their names. He goes by Misfit.”
Hex stopped walking completely. I raised an eyebrow.
“You’re telling me I am about to meet Misfit?”
I watched his eyes get wide. He ran his tongue over his lips, then brought his hands up to his hair, which was slicked back and brown, and started patting it down.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure my hair is okay. Do I look alright? Do you think he likes brunettes? Or men with brown eyes? Maybe he doesn’t like Hispanic guys. Is this shirt too tight on my shoulders?”
I was shocked. I have never heard him talk so much or look so nervous. Not once.
“You know who Misfit is?”
“Yes. Of course I do. He’s only one of the biggest drag queens in New York City.”
“Okay.”
“Seriously, do I look presentable?”
I looked at him. Black jeans. His boots. A red linen button-up with the sleeves rolled up. His cut over it. His brown hair was neat, and his brown eyes were bright with excitement, but I could see a little worry in them, too.
“You look great,” I told him.
“Thanks.”
I shook my head and rang the doorbell.
The air left my chest when the door opened. Lia looked like something from a dream. She wore a beautiful cream-colored summer dress. Her blonde hair, the color of sunlight, fell in soft waves all the way to her waist. She had on cute cowgirl boots. Her makeup was light—just mascara, a little blush, some gloss on her lips.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” I said without thinking, my hand going to my chest. I felt like my heart was about to fall out at her feet.
Her cheeks turned pink and she gave me a shy smile. Her blue eyes shone.
“Oh, thank you. Hi, I’m Lia,” she said, holding her hand out to Hex.
“I’m Hector. It’s a pleasure,” he said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
I turned my head and stared at him. He used his real name. And why the fuck did he just kiss my girl’s hand?
Wait. My girl?
Someone cleared their throat and Lia laughed softly. She stepped outside and Owen followed. He turned to lock the door, and I heard Hex whisper, “Great ass,” under his breath as he checked Owen out. Owen wore black slacks and an orange polo shirt. He had on a pair of black Nikes.
Owen turned and met Hex’s gaze with his hazel eyes. He smoothed a hand over his blonde hair and smiled.
“Thank you, big man. I’m Owen.”
Hex gently guided Lia down a step and took her place right beside Owen. He looked up at Owen, he had to look up, even though Owen is tall—and held out his hand.
“Hector. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m a huge fan.”
I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. The quietest brother in our club was acting like a complete fanboy right in front of me. I could not wait to tell the others.
“Oh, you must be the one who likes my particular brand,” Owen said, glancing over at me. I smiled and nodded.
“Well, you are a handsome one. And I love meeting fans. I think Beast here just became my new best friend.”
“Hey!” Lia said.
“Hush, honey,” Owen told her.
“So, you brought your bikes?” Lia asked.
“Yes. You ever ridden before?” I asked her. I already could not wait to feel her arms around me.
“No, but I’ve always wanted to. I’ve seen people on motorcycles, and it always looked like fun.”
“It’s more than fun. Let’s get going. I have a helmet for you in my bike.”
Owen and Lia followed Hex and me to our motorcycles.
“Make sure you hold on to me tight. I don’t want you to slip off,” I said as I helped her put the helmet on. I fastened the strap under her chin and she smiled up at me. I wanted to kiss her right then, but I held back.
I got on my bike first, then helped her climb on behind me. I showed her where to put her feet so she wouldn’t touch the hot pipe, and then I told her to get close and wrap her arms around my waist. She did. I felt myself getting hard almost instantly. I had to shift in my seat to get more comfortable. This ride was going to be long in more ways than one. I took a deep breath and started the engine.
I heard her little gasp, and then she held on to me tighter as I balanced the bike and began to roll forward. I looked in my side mirror and saw Hex with a huge, stupid grin on his face. He patted Owen’s hands where they were locked around his waist, then pulled out to follow me. I smiled. It was good to see my brother happy.