CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
-:- JIG -:-
Kenzie left my place this morning to go to work. We tried to sneak her out with no one from the garage seeing her leave. They must have all been waiting in reception, because as soon as we opened the front door, they were all there, waving and shouting. She blushed furiously and gave me a quick kiss before racing away.
Walking over to the garage, I could hear the assholes humming the wedding march. As I walk through the front door, Raven and Cora make an arch holding wrenches in their hands as if they were swords.
“Very funny, ha, ha. Haven’t you two got work to do?” Grabbing my coveralls from my locker, I get changed and go see what’s on the agenda for today. Yep, just as I thought, another filthy engine job. Grabbing the vehicle keys, I go outside to the lot, find the junker, and drive it into my bay. Deliberately leaving the radio off I begin to hum as loudly as I can the start of the theme from ‘Dallas’. That should annoy the assholes.
Lunchtime comes around and I slip off home to grab my hog. Taking a ride over to Fist at Hot Hogs and Cages, I want to see how he got on with the stroller. I saw the pictures but want to get the lowdown on when he thinks it will be done.
Pulling up outside his bay, he looks up and then walks over to me. “It’s too late now, but you know what we should have done with the stroller?”
Trying to think where he’s going with this, as I can’t see a flaw in anything so far. “This is going to be something painfully simple that I’m going to kick myself for not thinking of. I can tell by that look on your face, let’s have it. What have I overlooked?”
“Not just you, Jig. I should have thought of it before you. We should have used a powder coating. That would have been a spot-on finish for the stroller. I didn’t think about it until I was cleaning the sprayer last night. What a pair of dummies.”
“It’s not too late. We only base-coated it at Richard’s place before we brought it to Hot Hogs and Cages. That’s a brilliant idea. I’ll get on it right away. Rock will have a contact, I’m sure.”
“Jig, let me speak to him. He’ll want too much information if you ask him, I can tell him it’s for a mate. I wouldn’t be lying and he won’t press for details.”
“Yeah, good point. I’ll leave it with you then. I won’t bother going to look at it, either. Back to work then, as I’ve just got time to grab something from the coffee shop.”
Arriving back at the garage, I walk into the break area and throw a couple of bags of pastries onto the table, one in front of Cora, and one in front of Raven. Grease looks at me and says, “Selective who we buy for?”
Walking out the door, I say, “Selective with the dirty jobs, are we?”
Once again, I get the oily job done and clear my bay, ready for the next one. Seeing that I’m going to need clean coveralls tomorrow, I grab the keys and get ready to head off. Cora comes over and asks what my next job is. Tossing her the job card, I fetch the vehicle. Everyone seems to have an SUV these days. Doesn’t anyone drive a sedan or coupe anymore? Cora is at Grease’s bay, and she seems to be giving him hell.
I walk over and take the job card from Cora, pick her up, and kiss the top of her head. “Don’t worry, Cora. I’m okay with it, but thanks for having my back.”
Raven walks over and asks what all the fuss is about, I leave them to it as I just don’t care how childish Grease wants to be. The pair of them storm back over to Grease, and this time they both give him hell.
At the end of the day, I have another filthy job under my belt. Taking off my coveralls, I throw them straight into the trash. Walking back to the workshop area, I shout to Grease. “You need to order some more coveralls. I’m not putting this filth through with my laundry.”
Rolling my hog across the road to my cabin, I wonder what to do with myself tonight. Kenzie and I didn’t get around to organizing anything, so I’ll wait till she’s finished work and give her a call.
Opening the door, I get the aroma of food cooking from the kitchen. Dee has been. Checking the oven, I see a lasagna bubbling away nicely. On the table, there’s a note.
Jig,
Lasagna in oven, salad and garlic bread in fridge. Put bread in oven for twenty to thirty minutes until it browns nicely. Enjoy.
Dee XX
Checking the time, Kenzie should be home by now. Giving her a call, I wait, but there’s no answer. Okay, I’ll try again in a while. Meantime, I can pop over to the clubhouse, as I want to have a word with Specs and see if he can get me some contact details for Kenzie’s brother, Flynn. Specs has never failed at getting information yet, and I can’t see him failing now.
A quick shower turns into a long, hot relaxing one. Changed and back downstairs, I smell something burning. Oh, hell… the lasagna… bang goes my supper. I open the oven door and I’m greeted by a black cloud. Rushing to open the back door, I take the dish straight from the oven and leave it outside.
I ring Kenzie again, and still getting no answer I decide to go to the clubhouse, as I can get a meal as well as speak to Specs. Grabbing my helmet, I lock up and take the long way to the clubhouse to enjoy my hog.
Walking in, I notice the noise level immediately. I don’t mean everyone is shouting, but living in the cabin, I’ve become used to the quiet. Getting a few nods, hellos, and other greetings, I go straight to the bar and get a bottle of water. Next stop, Specs’ office where I knock and quickly enter. Specs is, as always sitting in front of his keyboard and monitors.
“Jig, don’t see you in here often. What can I do for you?” Specs leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers.
“You’re spending too much time around Axel, obviously. What’s with the finger thing?”
He looks at his fingers but carries on anyway. “Never noticed, but I don’t spend much time with Pres. He’s too busy with his kids lately. Can’t say I blame him, as it must be nice having a wife and family.”
“I think we’re all getting that way, there must be something in the water. I need some contact details for a Flynn Howard. Wife Kayla, kids, Lynx and Phoenix, they recently moved to Florida. That’s all I got at the minute, and I need to speak to this Flynn.”
“Not much to go on, but I’ve had worse. Leave it with me. If I get anything quickly I’ll come and find you. Are you going to be here for about an hour? I guess you’re here for food?”
“Sure am.” I’m not telling him I burned a perfectly good lasagna. Leaving him to it, I head off to see what Meat has prepared for the evening meal. As I enter the common room, I almost collide with Mia.
“Sorry, Mia. I was too busy thinking about food. You okay?”
“Yeah… No… Jig…” Mia looks deeper in thought than I was. “Ah… Jig. Come with me.” Knocking on Axel’s door, there’s no response. Sticking her head in, she motions to me to step inside. “No one in or out. I’ll clear it with Axel, and I’ll be back in a minute.”
With that, she’s gone. Taking a seat in front of the desk, I sit and wait to see what this is all about. A couple of minutes pass by and the door bursts open. Axel stomps in and goes to one of his desk drawers. Jumping up, I start to splutter, “Mia told me to…”
“I know, Jig. It’s fine. She told me what was going on. Rather you than me.” With that, he’s gone. Oh great. This can’t be good if he wants no part of something his Ol’ Lady is involved in.
Mia returns and has her friends, Suzie and Graham, in tow. “Jig, watch the door, but do it from here. I want you as a witness to what I’m about to say.”
“Whatever you say, Mia.” I think I know what’s coming, and I’d rather be on the other side of the door.
“Suzie, Graham. You have been my best friends since I was released from prison. You were the first ones to be kind to me, and I’ll always cherish that. You gave me a job, a place to live, and most of all, you gave me a sense of belonging. You mean the world to me, both of you.” Suzie starts to speak, but Mia stops her in her tracks. “That being said, I can’t allow your behavior to continue. I’m happy that you're happy. I’m happy that you both being happy now has ‘invigorated’ your sex drives. However, you can’t go around doing ‘it’ whenever and wherever you please. Everyone knows you are my friends and my guests here at the clubhouse. Your actions reflect on me. I’m the First Lady of the Raging Barons and as such, I will not have your behavior embarrass me personally, or the club.” Mia gives them both a piercing look, and they nod. “If this topic comes up again, I’ll be asking you to leave. Please don’t put me in that position.”
Suzie stands, and with tears in her eyes, hugs Mia. Graham stands and hugs her too. No tears, but he sure looks embarrassed. I open the door as they approach, and without looking me in the eye, they scuttle out. Closing the door, I look at Mia, who has sunk into Axel's chair.
Taking a seat in front of his desk, I give her a few seconds to gather her thoughts. “If you don’t mind me saying, I think you nailed that. You were the perfect friend, and above all, a perfect First Lady. You were both assertive and compassionate. I’m extremely proud to call you my First Lady.”
Blinking at me as if she had forgotten I was there, she states, “I wanted to rip their heads off and use them as target practice for the cleaver throwing, if I’m honest. I can’t believe what they’ve been up to. So many brothers have come forward with things since the TJs episode. They were seen on the walkaround of Meat’s treehouse, in his greenhouse, in the little garage behind the clubhouse, and on one of the old scrap bikes in there. Apparently, Graham was making ‘Brum Brum’ noises as though they were actually riding the damn thing.”
Watching the horrified look on her face as she recounts these ‘sightings’, I’m trying desperately not to laugh. When she makes the Brum Brum noises, I’m done. I burst out laughing and can’t stop, peering at Mia through my watery eyes, I see her laughing, too.
Hearing the door open, we turn and see Axel staring at us. “Well. I guess that went better than I expected.” With that, he’s gone again.
Finally able to catch our breath, we make our way to the kitchen. Meat seeing Mia has been crying gives me the stink eye. Mia gives him a kiss on the cheek and tells him they were tears of laughter. Hearing a grunt, I expect that’s the end of his suspicion.
Steak, salad, and fries go down well, though I’m still smarting on missing out on my lasagna when Specs walks over to the table. Placing a piece of folded paper next to me, he winks. What is with all this winking?
Glancing over to where Meat is at the sink, I see Star with him. She obviously saw Specs wink as she grins toward me and gives me the biggest, most outrageously, exaggerated wink anyone could possibly give.
Back at the cabin, I try Kenzie’s number again. Still no answer. I‘m starting to worry now. Has last night somehow given her cold feet about us? Has something happened to her? I’ll try again in an hour. No answer then and I’m going over there to see what the score is.
Hearing my phone ping, I snatch it up to see if it’s Kenzie. No, it’s a message from Fist.
Fist: I’m picking it up Friday from the powder coater and I have some freehand paintwork to do and it will be finished on Saturday.
Jig: Excellent. I’ll have to plan to be over there on Saturday afternoon. Once I’ve surprised Mia, she can surprise Axel.
Remembering the paper from Specs, I check it out. Two phone numbers, one for Flynn, and one for Kayla. Might as well get it over with. Dialing the number for Flynn, it only rings twice and a man answers.
“Hello, Flynn Howard speaking.”
“Hi there, Flynn. You don’t know me, but I’m a friend of Kenzie’s.”
“What’s happened? Is she okay? Has she been in an accident?” He must turn away from the phone because I hear him shouting, ‘Kayla. Kenzie’s hurt or in trouble.’
“No. Slow down. Kenzie’s fine. There’s been no accident, and she’s not in trouble. You are.”
“I’ve not been in an accident. What are you, some kind of psycho? Get a kick out of scaring people half to death, is that it?”
“You’re the one that made her cry, asshole. Not me.”
“How could I make her cry? I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“No, you rang her, though. Remember that?” I’m having to rein in my temper because this guy is certainly pushing my buttons.
“Yes, I did. I rang her the other day.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere. You told her all about you, Kayla, and the kids. How ‘awesome’ and ‘fantastic’ everything was for you guys? Remember that?”
“Yes. How do you know I said all that?” Flynn sounds a bit more cautious and calmer now.
“I know because she told me. She also told me you said you should have done it years ago because you had nothing to stay around for. Remember that?” The silence on the phone is almost deafening. “You never asked how she was, where she was living, has she got a job. Buddy, you made her cry. That is unforgivable.”
“I don’t know what to say. Just a second.” I hear him telling his wife what I’ve said, and then she goes nuts at him. She doesn’t hold back and gives him both barrels. “I need to go. I have to ring my sister and sort this mess out. Thanks for ringing. You must be a good friend for her to tell you this. She’s a pretty closed book most of the time.”
“I’ve been trying to ring her. There’s no answer. I’m going over to her place now to check it out. If you get through, let me know on this number. As soon as I know anything I’ll either ring you back or get Kenzie to ring you.”
“Okay. And thanks again. I didn’t get your name?”
“The name’s Jig.”
“Jig? Okay, Jig. Thanks for the heads up. Bye.”
The phone's dead before I answer him. Grabbing my helmet and keys, I lock up, get on my hog, and head over to Kenzie’s. I know the condo she lives in, but not the number. I can cross that bridge when I get to it.
Arriving at the block, I see her Jeep. Parking in a space next to it, I take my phone and ring her yet again. Hearing a phone’s ringtone from the Jeep, I panic and jump from my hog to look through the window. Thank God the Jeep’s empty. I thought I was going to find her slumped over the wheel or something. Looking around the interior, I can hear a phone but can’t see one.
Standing by my hog, I start pressing the horn button, trying to make it sound like a vehicle alarm going off. Checking out people looking from their windows, I finally see her and wave. Waving back, she closes the window. A minute later she’s out of the building looking pleased to see me. That’s a relief, I think to myself. Giving me a hug and a kiss has me even more relieved. “I’ve been worried sick, Beautiful.”
“Why are you worried? About what?” She gives me a quizzical look.
“You’re not answering your phone.”
“Well, I haven’t heard it ringing. I’ll check it out. Come in.” Starting to walk away, I stop her.
“Wait. We can check it from here.”
“I can’t hear my phone from here, silly.”
Taking my phone, I ring her number. Hearing her ringtone, she looks around, surprised. When she realizes where it’s coming from, she puts her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide like an owl. “Oh, my God. I didn’t know.” Taking her keys from her pocket, she opens the Jeep and looks for the phone. Finding it down the side of the passenger seat, she checks for missed contacts.
“Three missed contacts from you. I’m so sorry, Jig. I was beginning to wonder why I hadn’t heard from you. Two missed contacts from Flynn? He can wait, I don’t think I can listen to another ‘fantastic’ from him just yet.”
“Let’s go inside, if that’s okay with you, and you should ring him back.”
“Of course, you can come in. You really think I should ring him? If he starts with how fantastic his life is, I swear I’ll throw the phone at the wall.”
“I’ll make coffee, I need one. You go ring him.”
Sitting at the kitchen table while she makes her call, I concentrate on everything except her conversation. This could go one of two ways. Good that I stuck my nose into her family business. Bad that I stuck my nose into her family business.
Walking back into the kitchen, I see she’s been crying. “Happy tears, or sad tears?” I ask and hope they’re happy.
Reaching me, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me hard on the lips. “Very happy. Thank you, I don’t know how you did that, but I am thrilled you did. Those things have a habit of festering and becoming a long-term silence between people. You cleaned out the wound and now it’s healed. Thank you, my hero.”
Taking me by the hand, she leads me away from the kitchen. Pushing open a door, she leads me into her bedroom. I wasn’t expecting this, however, I’m not going to be so passive this time.