Page 26 of Kiwi

"Lie to someone else, brother." Ignoring him, I stare out into the empty street, as he continues. "Ever since Piper has been back, you haven't been your usual laid back, I don't give two shits self." My jaw clenches, but I remain quiet. "I've caught the way you look at each other."

"It's nothing," I tell him.

"I don't think it's nothin', brother. I think you two have caught feelings for one another." When he gets no response, he adds, "Now, I'm not one to dish out lectures and shit, or tell someone how to live their life, but this is Piper we're talkin' about here."

"Don't you think I know that?"

Out the corner of my eye, I see Fender nod. "You need to figure this shit out and fast. It's only a matter of time before Nova finds out. When he does…"

Before he can finish his sentence and continue to dig the knife any deeper, I cut him off. "Either way, I'm screwed." My tone almost sounds defeated.

The delivery truck finally arrives and starts backing up to the bay door. Fender's hand clasps my shoulder. "Listen, man. I know you're strugglin'. I'm speaking to you as your friend, and from experience when I say love makes you do crazy shit. I wish I had the answers for you or some meaningful words of wisdom to help you, brother. Just know, my mouth is shut. This conversation stays and dies here between us."

* * *

The sky is clear,and the sun is hot over the Crescent City today. It's nearly noon, and the parking lot is alive with music and people in the community coming out to show their support for the grand opening of Kings Custom. The smell of smoked B.B.Q. and spicy Cajun crawfish permeates the air. Near the shop entrance, Riggs has a canopy set up with misting fans, tables, and chairs for those seeking refuge from the heat of summer. Inside, the women are selling Kings Custom merchandise.

"I'd say things are getting off to a good start." Everest stops beside me, then takes a bite off the burger in his hand. Off to my right, I briefly let my eyes settle on Piper, who's scooping ice cream onto cones for several kids waiting for a cold treat. I quickly divert my attention as my brothers, Wick, Nova, and Riggs, make their way over.

"The turnout is amazing," I face Everest. "I appreciate you gettin' the kids down at the youth center involved."

"They're a good group of kids," Everest states, just as a BMW pulls into the parking lot. Promise's friend, London, climbs out of the car. Everest hones in on her as she sashays in our direction.

"Wow. You got yourselves a little block party going." She blatantly lets her eyes roam over Everest, who stands there wordless. London turns toward me. Digging in the large bag she has draped over her shoulder, she pulls out a whiskey bottle. "Congratulations." She hands me the bottle.

Above the music and people, a guttural rumble echoes through the city streets, reverberating off the nearby buildings. It's the sound only a Harley can make. The ground beneath our feet vibrates the closer it gets. "Fuck yeah!" Riggs booms with excitement. "They made it."

"They?" I ask.

"Our Montana brothers." Riggs slaps my back.

"No, shit?" All The Kings of Retribution in one place?" My brothers begin to holler, their voices booming as they welcome the Montana Chapter to our city, and I join them. Faces in the crowd turn to see what the commotion is all about as the roar of straight pipes closes in. Onlookers part, as all the men, along with their old ladies, ride their bikes into the parking lot.

Luna, Promise, and Tequila have joined us. "Looks like there's gonna be one hell of a party tonight," Tequila cheers.

"Holy shit. Whatever is in the Montana water is magical. Those men are F.I.N.E, fine." London fans herself. "Damn, and they're all taken. Figures." Her statement causes us to laugh—all except Everest. London notices and smirks.

One by one, our brothers dismount their bikes. Greetings are passed around amongst the men, and the women introduce themselves to one another. "Laisses le bon temps rouler," Riggs calls out. He and Jake shake hands. "Fuckin' glad you're here, brother."

"Wouldn't have missed it."

Once the crowd is gone,and the shop is locked up, we ride out toward the clubhouse. The feeling of riding alongside all my brothers helps to distract me from my thoughts of Piper. The smell of exhaust fumes mixed with smoke pits cooking meat from the restaurants as we pass them by fill the air as it whips at my face. Faces in the crowds along the sidewalks all blur together as we ride. I lose myself in the white noise as twelve Harleys make their way through the streets of New Orleans. The closer we get to the clubhouse, the air changes. It's the smell of the mighty Mississippi River that flows nearby. The gate opens, and we roll onto the compound, parking the bikes in a row.

Hours later, the clubhouse smells of smoke and whiskey. Music and laughter fill the air as I sit toward the back of the room, on a black leather sofa, alone, watching everyone have a good time.

"What are you over here sulking about?" Josie plops down beside me as I nurse the beer in my hand.

"I'm not sulking," I lie. I am sitting here, brooding. I was a dick earlier ignoring Piper, and I'm feeling like an arse for it. But what choices do I have? I need to stick to my guns and steer clear of her.

"Come on. Enjoy yourself. Look at the place." She spreads her arms, and as she continues to talk, my eyes follow Piper as she moves across the room. "When will this, all The Kings of Retribution being under the same roof, happen again?"

Before I even choose to respond, Fender waves me over, shouting above the noise. "Kiwi, bring your ass over here."

Standing, I join Fender, who is sitting with the guys, and I pull a chair over to the large round table. "What were ya doing way over there, alone?" Everest asks.

"I was takin' a breather." A pack of smokes sits in the center of the table, next to a half-empty bottle of Jamison. Reaching out, I pluck one from the box. Striking the lighter, I light the cigarette and breathe in the nicotine until it burns before expelling it from my lungs.

"It's been one hell of a day," Logan, Montana's VP, says as he pours himself a shot of whiskey. "The shop looks damn good, congratulations again, Kiwi." Logan stands, taking one of the bottles sitting in the middle of the table. "I hate to run out on my brothers, but I'm buzzed and hungry for my woman. I'll catch you guys later." Our heads move as we watch Logan stroll across the room, pull Bella, his woman, from among the other old ladies, and toss her over his shoulder.

"How was the ride? That's a lot of road between here and Polson." I strike up a meaningless conversation to keep from thinking about Piper.

"Not too bad," Jake answers. "I can't speak for the rest of my men, but my body is stiff as hell. I haven't ridden a stretch of highway like that in a long time."

Quinn's shot glass clinks against the wood table as he sets it down. "You don't stop ridin' once you're old. You only get old when you stop ridin'." A few of the brothers from Montana look at Quinn like he's grown a second head.

"First smart thing I've heard fall out of your mouth all night," Gabriel grunts.

"At least I can form a sentence instead of someone trying to decode a sequence of man grunts as if they're Morse code," Quinn smirks, and I can tell right away he likes poking the bear.

"I'm gonna shove a pool stick up your ass. How's that for a complete sentence, dickhead." Gabriel downs a shot, and we all burst out in laughter.

I look around the room, searching for Piper, but she's nowhere within sight. Suddenly, I feel tired, or maybe I just want to drag my arse far away from the clubhouse, temptation, and the need to find her.