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“You’re suddenly back into your motorcycle hobby?” Sonia’s tone had been dry and knowing.
“It’s summer,” Sean had said weakly. “I need something to do on off days.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
“It’s a rare bike, apparently,” Sean insisted. “I’m told only eight hundred of these motorcycles were made.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Can I borrow the truck or not?”
“Of course you can borrow it.” Miguel’s voice had ridden over his wife’s, letting Sean know that he was on speakerphone. “In fact, I’ll help you load up the bike so you don’t bust your face. Or worse. The bike.”
Sean had laughed. “Thanks, man.”
When he arrived at the Castillos’ house, Miguel was leaning against his Dodge Ram, ankles crossed while he texted on his phone. “Morning, Miguel. Sorry I’m late.”
“Morning.” Miguel finished his text, unfazed. “No problem.”
“I’m going to leave my car here. Ride with you to the storage unit. Load the bike. Bring you home. Go unload the bike at the shop, then swap out cars after.”
Miguel nodded, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Or, you forget all that and I just go to the shop with you. I wouldn’t mind seeing it. Even though Sonia says I’m never getting a motorcycle.”
“She’s not the boss of you,” Sean joked.
“Yes, she is.” Miguel rolled his eyes. “She told me I had to go with you so I can find out what’s really going on with you and the motorcycle girl.”
Sean laughed. “She thinks she’s so sneaky.”
“I don’t know about sneaky.” Miguel shook his head. “But she’s bullheaded.”
Once they made it to the storage unit, Sean lowered the tailgate and put a step stool he’d brought along with him on the ground nearby. He unlocked the unit and found the Harley nestled in with some boxes of Kim’s stuff that she’d never come to collect. Off living in New York somewhere with her ex-boss, she obviously didn’t need all this stuff that she’d demanded in the divorce. Sean didn’t want their old wall art or her ugly Hummel collection anyway, so it could rot in here for all he cared. In fact, it was probably time to throw all that crap out. But, first things first. He grabbed the aluminum ramp next to the Harley and secured it to the back of the truck. He went back for the bike, then rolled the Willie G out to the truck. “You push, I’ll steer,” he told Miguel.
“Sounds good.”
The job went quickly and smoothly, without any problems. A sheen of sweat popped over Miguel’s forehead in the gathering humidity of what was destined to be a hot, sunny day.
By the time they were done and the bike was secure, they had sweated through their T-shirts. Miguel, lean and wiry, wasn’t much of an outdoors guy, but he had a naturally athletic body he didn’t work very hard to attain. This had always pissed Sean off because he was forever working to maintain muscle mass and beat back the body fat.
“You must really like this chick,” Miguel said as they climbed inside the truck and he cranked up the AC. “It’s already like an oven out there and that bike has seen better days.”
Sean laughed. “Tell Sonia, nice try. Thanks for playing.”
Miguel grinned and cranked the radio for the drive over to Triple M Classics. Country music rolled out the speakers and he sang along, his voice much larger than his body. Castillo was forever complaining about Miguel’s music choices, which was a mistake because now Sean could torture her whenever he wanted. If Castillo got on his nerves, Sean just cranked Florida Georgia Line or Chris Stapleton, drowned her out and got rewarded with the Creature Face. Castillo had no idea that when she used her Creature Face with him it only spelled victory.
When they pulled up to the shop, Delaney had her bay door wide-open. Sean could see her inside, talking with a group of women all decked out in riding gear. A row of Harleys lined the parking lot.
By the time Sean and Miguel got the Willie G unstrapped, rolled out of the truck and into the shop, Delaney was wrapping things up with her customers.
“You could be the vintage rep for our group,” one lady said. She gripped a half helmet in her gloved hand.Girls Gone Hog Wildwas embroidered on the back of her jacket. “Which would be cool. We don’t have anybody into classics right now. Not since Val moved to Florida.”
“Our first big ride of the year will be next weekend,” another lady said. She wore the same jacket and had a strong, authoritative voice. “We’re going to head out to Amish country up in Pennsylvania.”
“I’ll definitely keep it in mind.” Delaney rang up a pair of gloves for one of the women and slid them into a plastic bag. “If not this weekend, then maybe the next ride.”
Miguel pointed a sly finger at Delaney and mouthed,Is that her?Without waiting for an answer he whispered, “Daaaaaaamn.”
“I know, right?” Sean muttered under his breath, glad that Miguel got him, instantly, no explanation necessary. Delaney had on blue jeans and a white tank top smeared with grease. Her short hair was ruffled, like she’d only combed her fingers through it after a fitful night’s sleep. No makeup, and eyes a little bleary. But there was just something about her. She was quietly aloof, but also open and warm. Her eyes were kind, her smile rare and honest. She exuded the aura of a woman who had spent a lot of years figuring out who she was and who she still wanted to be, like she’d walked the walk for a long time.
