36. Thirty-Six

Chase

I pull into Shot In The Dark, “How does a burger sound?”

“It sounds great. I’m hungry, too. I had no idea it was getting so late.”

We walk into the pub and slide into a booth.

Quickly, the server comes around asking for our order, “A draft beer. Cheeseburger with everything and onion rings on the side.”

“For you, ma’am?”

“The same, but fries instead of onion rings, please.”

While we sit sipping our beer, waiting for our dinner, I smile at Chase.

“I can’t believe I’m even considering buying a motorcycle. I was never interested in motorcycles before.”

“They’re fun. I especially like to ride at night. Jacksonville is beautiful after dark.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Val, I like the idea of you riding a Can-Am Spyder because it’s safer than the standard bike. Nothing against your driving. You ride really well. But if you’re new to bikes, I just think you’ll be more comfortable with three wheels. I wouldn’t worry as much if you were on a Spyder.”

“Thanks; like I said, I’ll think about it. I need to make up my own mind,” she states firmly giving me a warning look.

“Of course. Carson wants to meet up at Wild Riders again this weekend. You down for that?”

“Yes, but only if you teach me more about how to play pool,” she winks at me.

“Deal.”

The server brings out our meal.

“You know the Wild Riders go on longer rides. They have a few campgrounds in the Carolinas that offer rental cabins. They also have a place on the West Coast of Florida. They go everywhere.”

“Really? How do the riders all stay together?”

“The rides are very organized. Once the route is planned out, they load it into everyone’s GPS. So, if someone has to stop or just wants to take a detour, they all meet up at the next planned stop. Would you like to go on one of the trips?”

“It sounds like fun. Yes.”

“Okay, we can ask Sam about the dates; otherwise, he’ll probably tell us once we arrive.”

“Do you know when the story about the faulty vests is going to hit?”

“No, the cops have been trying to keep it quiet, but it’ll be leaked before too long. We were hoping all the businesses would be notified before it breaks, but it’s taking longer than anticipated.”

“And they haven’t made an arrest yet?”

“No, but they’re keeping a close eye on him. It’s up to law enforcement now.”

It’s Friday night, and I pull into the parking lot at Wild Riders. We wave to the regulars sitting outside the club.

I order two drafts at the bar while Val finds a booth. I see Carson come in, so I order another draft and take all three to the table.

“Thanks, Chase.”

“No problem.”

We look up at Sam as he comes over; he slides in beside Carson.

“Glad you dropped by tonight. I got a call from my buddy at the police station. He said the story will probably hit tomorrow on the evening news. Law enforcement has Junior in custody. You’ll probably get hounded by the press for a while, but at least it’s good publicity.”

“Chase, we probably need to give Sanders a head’s up. I’m sure the press will want to get a statement from him.”

“Yeah, let me give him a call. Excuse me.”

After I talk to Sanders, I join my family.

“What did he say?”

“I think he liked the idea. Now that he has full use of his hand, it will make a good story. It’ll be his fifteen minutes of fame, and since he took a bullet, I think he should get something out of the deal.”

“Well, I’ll leave you young people alone. I got some work to do in the back,” Sam gets up from the booth.

“Anything we can help you with, Sam?”

“Nah, It’s paperwork, but thanks.”

Carson says, “Well, I’ll be damned, there’s Joe Tyler. I haven’t seen him in years. Mind if I go talk to him and catch up?”

“Not at all. I promised Val a game of pool, so take your time.”

We walk over to the pool table area, and I ask Val to break.

I walk up behind her and say, “That’s good Val, but let me get you a bridge.”

I pull one off the wall. “You place this directly on the pool table, and then you can balance the cue stick in one of those grooves.”

“Like this?”

“Yep, that’s perfect.”

“That made it so much easier, thanks.”

Once we’ve finished a game, Val quits laughing at my innuendos, which started off as sexy but soon turned downright silly.

“I knew you would win at pool, but I was hoping to make a few good shots at least.”

“You did fine, Val. You’ll get the hang of it. I’ve been playing for years.”

“Do you want to play another game?”

I look at my watch. “Not right now.”

“Chaser, there’s somebody outside waiting for ya.”

“Okay, we’ll be right there. Come on, Val.”

I open the front door, and there’s a blue Can-Am Spyder parked in front of the club. All the regulars out front are looking it over.

“I’ve been wondering when somebody was gonna get one of these.”

Val turns to me with a frown on her face, “Chase, I hope you didn’t buy that for me. I told you I wanted to wait.”

“Yes, you did. You also told me you weren’t sure how a three-wheeler would go over at the club. So, I thought I would surprise you—“ Val crosses her arms in front of her— “so, I rented one for the weekend.”

“You rented it?”

“Yes, I thought this way you could try it out and see what the guys around here thought about it.”

“Hey Chaser, is this three-wheeler for you or the missus?”

“I rented it for the weekend so Val could try it out.”

The guy delivering the rental has me sign for the delivery and then hands the keys to Val.

“Well, hop on, little lady, we want to see what it can do,” the guys gather around Val and the bike.

Val gets on the three-wheeler and powers it on. Val shows and tells them about the bike.

“Damn, look at that. It’s like sitting in an armchair.”

“Looks like a sweet ride.”

“So guys, if Val decides on the Can-Am Spyder, do you think anyone here would give her a hard time about it?”

“They better not. If Val wants a three-wheeler, then that’s what she should get.”

I look over at Val as she gets off the bike and then goes directly up to each of the guys.

She says, “Thank you, Rider,” and gives him a hug, then she moves on to Chief and Hawk. She gives each of them a hug, too. By the time she’s done, the guys are all hanging their heads, shuffling their feet, or turning red.

“You’re part of the club now, Val, and we take care of our own.”

“I appreciate that. Very much.”

“Now, you’ll have to name her. Make it a good nickname, ‘cuz you’ll be stuck with it.”

I look up and see Carson standing in the doorway. I jog over to him and explain what’s going on. He calls Sam, and soon, a crowd is gathered out by the Spyder.

Everyone wants to see what the bike can do.

“What do you say, Val? Do you want to take it for a spin? It’s yours for the weekend.”

“Sure!”

I get her helmet and hand it to her. Then Carson and I both get on our bikes to join her. When we look around, it looks like a few others want to go for a run with us as well.

Soon, there are about eight bikes in formation, and we all follow each other onto the highway. I stay beside Val to make sure she’s okay because it’s her first time on a group ride.

She’s doing great, so I give her a thumbs up.

Carson’s in the front. After a few miles, he motions that he’ll be turning, and we all follow his lead. We all head back to the club and pull into the parking lot.

Everybody looks over at Val as she takes off her helmet, and she has a huge grin on her face. Some of the riders give her a thumbs up. Others give her a high five as they go back inside the club.

I walk up to her, and she gives me a proud smile.

“That was your first ride, and you did great!”

We walk into the club, and everybody cheers or claps. I look down at Val as she blushes a pretty pink.

“Thanks, everybody!”

Carson has a big grin on his face when we slide into the seat across from him.

“You’re a Wild Rider now, Val.”

I look over at her. “What did you think of the Spyder?”

“I loved it!”

“So, is that the bike you want?”

“Yes,” then she gives me a soft smile, “Thank you, Chase.”

“For what?”

“You know. You made sure that everyone here would welcome me and my Spyder.”

I wrap my arm around her and pull her into a side hug. “Anything for you, Babe.”