Page 5 of Smitty

I made my way out to the parking lot and climbed on my bike. Seconds later, I was on my way to the clubhouse, feeling the heat of the sun on my back as it crept higher in the sky. It was going to be a hot one today. I didn’t mind. I’d take a hot day over one that was freezing cold any day.

When I pulled through the gate, I found Goose waiting for me in his truck with one arm hanging out the open window while he took a drink from his gas station coffee cup that was three times the size of his hand and looked like it was just waiting for the chance to spill all over him. I parked beside him and climbed into the passenger seat.

The second I closed the door, Goose reached down, picked up a second cup of gas station coffee that was just as big as his, and offered it to me. “Damn, brother. You’re looking a little rough this morning.”

“Morning to you, too.”

“You sleep, or did you have company last night?” He made a face. “Oh, hell. What am I saying? We all know you’re flying solo these days.”

“That I am.” I took a long sip of the bitter coffee he’d given me, trying my best not to let him bait me. “Regardless, I slept fine.”

“The bags under your eyes say something different.”

“Appreciate the concern.”

“Well then, while I’m at it, you might wanna think about getting yourself a haircut.”

“You trying to drum up some business for Pres?”

“Gotta help out where I can,” he chuckled. “But seriously. You’re looking a bit homely over there.”

“Did you ask me to go with you just so you could ride my ass the whole way?”

“Just stating the obvious.”

“Says the guy whose beard looks like it’s hiding a bear’s ass?”

Goose barked out a laugh so loud it echoed through the cab of the truck. “There he is.”

“Who?”

“You. The real you.” Goose smirked. “The one with a little bite to him. Keep him around. Much better than the polite prospect bullshit you’ve been dishing out.”

I shook my head and laughed. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Always.”

The drive across town went pretty quick. Goose had some old country tunes playing on the radio, and he kept talking shit anytime the opportunity presented itself. Half an hour later, we’d pulled up at a small garage tucked between an auto shop and a tire place. Goose killed the engine, and as he got out, he turned to me and said, “Be back in five.”

“I won’t hold my breath.”

“Better watch it or I’ll leave your ass here.”

“But then who would you have to entertain ya?”

“I’m all the entertainment I need.”

“That’s not something to brag about, brother.”

He shrugged, then shut the door and made his way inside.

The cab went quiet, and I sat there for a minute, soaking it all in. And I mean all of it: the sleeping late, the bad coffee, and the pain-in-the-ass company. I couldn’t imagine it getting any better than this.

2

BROOKE

“I’m not asking to remove him,” I argued, doing my best to keep my frustration at bay. “I’m just asking for a little more time.”