For outlaws, the three-piece patches they wore on the back of their cuts were their identity. They marked the bikers’ membership to their club and the territory they claimed. Flying their colors was mandatory on bike runs, rallies, and at the clubhouse, but most of the time, all of the Night Rebels wore their cuts outside the club. Army was no exception, and not wearing his cut seemed off kilter to him. He’d been donning it for the past seven years, but the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize the club’s plan to shut down the damn Pistons and the 39thStreet jerks.
“See you,” Steel said. “Tell your brother to kick ass at his next fight.”
“I will. He’s got a couple in the next few weeks, and if he wins them, he’ll go pro. I’m fuckin’ proud of him,” Army said.
“Yeah. He’s come a long way from when you used to protect him from bullies.”
Army slid the phone in his pocket and went back inside. Stiletto had finished her stretching and was beating the shit out of a speed bag when he entered the main room. Taylor called out his name, gesturing him to come over.
“What’s up?” Army asked as his gaze drifted over to Stiletto.
“I usually go to Berriegood on Mondays. Do you want to come along?”
“Is Stiletto going?” Army blurted, cursing himself for it.
“I don’t know. I told you to leave Mia alone, dude. If you don’t want to go, I can grab a Lyft or someone can drop me off.”
If Stiletto doesn’t go, then I’m stuck drinking protein out of a fuckin’ glass. But if she does, it could be fun.“I’ll go along. What time are we heading out?”
“In a half hour.”
“Sounds good. I think I’ll kill the time punching the bag.” Army strode over to one of the large speed bags, slipped on a pair of yellow gloves hanging on a hook against the wall, and sank his fists into it.
An hour later, Army followed Taylor into Berriegood and chuckled when Stiletto rushed ahead and took the seat between Raptor and El Toro. He pulled out the chair and sat next to Kat, who turned and threw him a small, seductive smile. Glancing sideways at Stiletto, he saw her sour face as Kat placed her hand lightly on his and asked why he never considered being an MMA fighter.
About twenty minutes into their protein bowl fest, El Toro stood up and told them his wife wanted him home to help out with their three rowdy boys. The minute he walked away, Army went over and slid into the seat next to Stiletto. Taylor’s facial muscles were taut as he handed Army’s smoothie to him. Instead of going for the protein bowl that all the fighters raved about, he went for the basic mango and coconut smoothie, deciding to do a drive-through at one of the fast food burger places on the way back to the apartment.
As he waited for Stiletto to turn toward him, he swirled the straw around in his glass, then pretended that he didn’t see Kat trying to get his attention. Bolting from the chair to get a chance to sit next to Stiletto was out of character for him. Chicks came to him, but she was proving to be inordinately stubborn.
After ten minutes of stirring the damn smoothie, he nudged her slightly with his elbow and smiled when she faced him.
“Hey.” He gave her his crooked smile, the one that landed him into countless beds.
“Hey,” she replied, turning back toward Raptor and Madman. Most of the male fighters preferred to use their nicknames with the other gym members.
“I’m trying to talk to you,” Army said, an edge creeping into his voice.
“And I’m involved in another conversation. I’m not going to just stop midway through like you did with Kat. I’m not rude.”
His eyes narrowed and he leaned back in the chair.Why the fuck am I putting up with this shit? Because I’m drawn to her for some damn reason.For a long while Army sat there and sipped his overly sweet mango drink while ignoring her sensual scent as it curled around him. It reminded him of screwing around on an exotic beach under a large umbrella as the waves from the pristine blue ocean crashed on the shore.
“Are you having a good time?” she asked, turning toward him.
“I’ve had better.”
“I guess drinking smoothies or eating healthy bowls isn’t your thing.” Her sweet giggles went right to his dick and he shifted in the seat.
“I’m more of a steak-and-rib-kind-of-guy, and I like my vegetables whole, not pureed.”
“It’s not too bad. I come mostly for the camaraderie. I’ll admit I had to acquire a taste for the protein bowl, but I love the mango smoothie you’re drinking.”
“It’s not bad. So, how about getting a drink after we finish playing healthy?”
“I’m too tired. I’m going straight home.”
“We’re taking off,” Kat and Raptor said. Several other people from the group also rose to their feet.
“See you,” Stiletto said and waved to them.