“Moving on, Steel and I have been talking about doing a biker rally this summer. As you know, we normally do one in October and one in spring, but since most of the spring was shitty weather and we couldn’t have our rally, we thought it’d be a good idea to have it in July,” Paco said.
The idea was given to the membership, who unanimously voted for it, and the date was set for the last weekend in July. The Night Rebels motorcycle rallies attracted many biker enthusiasts, and they were held on private land owned by an ex-Night Rebels member who made a fortune in the marijuana-growing business. The rallies usually began on a Thursday and went through the weekend. There was a campground on the land, motorcycle contests, live music from local bands, bike washes from the scantily clad club girls, wet T-shirt contests, and a Saturday barbecue. Strewn around the area were vendor booths selling mostly motorcycle-related items. The club made a lot of money at their rallies and gave fifty percent of it to their favorite charity—Bikers Against Child Abuse.
“Is Raven going to have a booth?” Goldie asked Muerto as they walked out of the adjourned meeting.
“Yeah. She’s already making a bunch of jewelry with some biker charms. They look pretty cool. You going to Cuervos tonight?”
“Fuck, I forgot about it. It’s Tattoo Mike’s anniversary party.”
Muerto laughed. “You have been working too hard, dude. This is the first time I’ve ever known you to forget a party where there’ll be a lot of available women.”
Goldie grinned. “You’re right. What’s up with that shit?”
“Hell if I know.”
“I’ll be there. Jimmy will be handling the shop tonight with the new guy we just hired. It should be good.”
Paco walked up to Goldie. “Did you ever find a replacement for Flora?”
“Yeah. She catches on fast. We’ll see if she works out long term. You going to Cuervos tonight?”
Paco nodded. “I’m pretty sure everyone’s gonna be there.”
Tattoo Mike and his old lady, Sam, had tied the knot twelve years before. That night, the anniversary party was a family event, meaning club girls weren’t included, only old ladies. Old ladies and club girls didn’t mix. The club women knew to keep out of their way, and if they happened to be in the same room, the club girls would immediately leave the room out of respect. Of the old ladies, only Sam and Shannon had the biggest problem with them since their husbands tended to occasionally have sex with the club women. The old ladies had come to terms with their husbands’ dalliances, but it didn’t mean they liked them. The way Sam and Shannon figured it was that their men always came home to them, and that the club sluts were bitches with holes.
“I better get over to the shop to make sure all is good. Friday nights can be a bitch.” Goldie slipped his hand in his pocket and took out his keys.
“I’m right behind you,” Tattoo Mike said.
“Let’s roll.” Goldie walked out of the cool clubhouse into the dry heat. Swinging his leg over his bike, he made a mental note to hit up a high school buddy about his band playing at the rally in July. He adjusted his sunglasses and rode away from the clubhouse.
***
When Goldie walkedinto Cuervos, the party was underway. Scanning the room, he saw all the familiar faces of the brotherhood, as well as many citizens glancing nervously at the group of men as they chugged bottles of beer. Several women smiled at him as he made his way to the bar.
“Didn’t think you’d make it,” Chains said as he bumped fists with Goldie.
“I stopped by to see my grandma. There’re some hot-looking chicks in here.”
“Tell me about it. I have my eyes on a few of them.”
“What’re you drinking?” Jorge, the owner of the bar, asked.
“I’ll start with a bottle of Coors. How’ve you been?” Goldie said.
“Not bad. Business is back to where it should be. It took a long time after the shooting last year to get people to come back in.”
“That’s good. Time makes most things pass. You gonna put Steel to work tonight?”
“I’ll let him enjoy the night. Maybe I’ll recruit Breanna.” Jorge laughed as he handed Goldie his beer.
“Give me another one, dude,” Army said from behind Goldie.
Goldie half turned. “You down for a game of pool? I need to make some money.”
Chains guffawed and Army shook his head. “I’m down for it, and I’m gonna beat your losing ass.”
“Anyone want to play Raven?” Muerto interjected as he came up to the bar to place his order.
