by H. M. Montes
When we made it to the gym the girls were stretching and talking to three guys that were dressed in black workout pants and a white Hawks t-shirt. College students filed into the large gym, shuffled through the bleachers and waited. Bryan and I sat towards the top in the shadows away from everybody. The coach Cindy walked to the center of the court, then one by one she introduced the squad. The guys all looked like they belonged on the football team. “I thought these were lame in high school I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get any better during college.” Bryan said with a laugh.
“No shit.” I replied and laughed. The squad was huddled in the middle of the gym waiting for the music to start. A screeching record sound followed a horn blaring filled the space. They all danced around in perfect time, Sydney, a short Blonde, and that tall red head were each held in one hand by each of the guys. Then as the music grew faster and louder, they huddled around Sydney with the tallest biggest guy behind her and Theresa behind him. In the blink of an eye Sydney was thrown in the air so high I leaned forward in shock. She twisted her body, did that little splits thing cheerleaders do, touched her toes and finally landed safely in the arms of the people around her. I stared at her, the smile on her face was contagious as they finished the routine and stopped with their black and red pompoms in different places. “Holy shit.” Was all I could say. I looked over at Bryan that was shaking his head.
“Not in a million fucking years would I have guessed a human could be thrown that far in the air and come out of it uninjured.”
The football coach applauded the squad as he walked to the center of the court to give a game day speech. He then had all the senior players come onto the court so he could introduce them, he talked about each of their stats and wished the team good luck before passing the microphone back to Cindy. “Okay now we are going to play a game, each of you guys grab a bat,” she pointed to a barrel that had wooden baseball bats in it, “You have to each spin around ten times, pick the football up and throw it at the target. If you actually make it through the target you get a gift certificate to Logan’s and a kiss from the Senior members.” The gymnasium erupted into laughter with each player that tried and failed to hit the target. Ronnie was the last person to do the challenge, he spun around and around, stumbled to the football took two steps back and launched the ball right through the middle of the target with plenty of air left between the ball and the target. “Well fuck.” Bryan said.
“Not good.” I stood up when I looked at Sydney that was scanning the bleachers for us.
“Wait wait wait; Ronnie that’s not fair you’ve been quarterback since you were in diapers. I should have thought that challenge through a little better.” Cindy said with a nervous laugh. I couldn’t hear what he said to her but she just nodded her head and stepped to the side. She handed him an envelope and hung her head as he walked over to the four seniors, the first was a guy so he just shook his hand and moved to the next person. She gave him a quick peck on the check and smiled, Theresa looked like she wanted to knee him in the balls. She smiled and kissed him on the other cheek. He stopped in front of Sydney, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, tucked the envelope in his pocket cupped her face in his palm then lowered his mouth to hers. The gymnasium broke out in cat calls and whistles as the kiss deepened between the two. When he pulled away he had a grin on his face and said something to her. She shook her head no and stepped back, Ronnie ran a frustrated hand through his hair and walked away.
“Calm the fuck down man.” Bryan said from beside me. “You’re knuckles are turning white because your fists are bunched up so tight.”
The students all filed out of the gymnasium, Bryan and I waited to go meet with Sydney and Theresa until the last person was gone. Sydney was stuffing her pompoms in the small black bag and trying to hold back tears. “Hey,” I knelt down beside her, “You okay?” I said.
“Just fine Cade.”
“Bullshit, I know you didn’t want that to happen.”
“No actually, I…never mind.” She quickly stood and started to walk away from me.
I caught up with her and stepped in front of her, “What the fuck were you going to say?”
She shook her head and angrily wiped tears off of her face, “Nothing. Move I’m going to be late for class.” She stepped around me and caught up with the others.
“What the hell was that about?” Bryan asked.
“I have no clue.” I said and shook my head. We followed Theresa and Sydney as they parted from their friends to go to their classes. Once they were in the classroom Bryan and I walked over to a bench and sat down. We talked about different things we each wanted to buy for our motorcycles, discussed charity events that the MC club was going to be doing the following week, and about me patching over to the same MC club as him. It was something I had been thinking about but couldn’t decide if I wanted to be tied down to one club or not. I enjoyed being able to help other clubs out and being able to leave town for days at a time without having to answer to anybody. The girls rushed past us on their way to their next class, Sydney didn’t look at us and Theresa was busy texting on her phone. I needed to find out what Ronnie had said to her, finding the asshole was my next step. I watched as Sydney and Theresa bounded up the stairs and disappeared through the doors. Ronnie and a couple of his teammates were laughing and talking as they approached us. I stood from the bench and heading right for him. “What the fuck did you say to her?” I demanded as I stepped closer to him.
He waved as his friends kept walking, “I don’t think that’s any of your business mister macho.”
I grabbed him by his jersey and yanked him against me, “That’s where you’re wrong you little fucking prick. I know what you did to her, I seen the pictures, I read the texts. Stay the fuck away from her, or don’t and see what the fuck happens to you.”
Bryan grabbed my wrist and separated us, “You’d be smart to listen to that warning, it’s your one and only. Touch her again and,” he shrugged a shoulder, “hurt her again. You’re going to be lucky if you aren’t swimming with the fish.”
Ronnie threw his head back and laughed, “You fuckers think you scare me? I love her nothing you say will change how we feel for each other.” He stepped past us and jogged up the steps of the building.
“I’m going to strangle the cocky mother fucker.”
“Well, you’ll have to hold off because the MC just text me that they are ready for their vehicles to be brought to the club house. Theresa didn’t give me a key to the dorm I’m assuming you didn’t get one from Syd, so, either we interrupt them in class or wait.”
“We’ll just wait. I’m fucking starving let’s go get something to eat, I can’t handle much more god damn drama today.” I told him and started walking towards our motorcycles.
This was the last class for the two of them so we could just meet them at their dorms after lunch. We rode to a small dive bar downtown; the place wasn’t busy so we each ordered a nice frosty mug of beer, double cheeseburger and fries. We ate in silence as I tried to think of different things Ronnie would have said to her that would have made her turn so bitchy and distant towards me.
“You need to turn your brain off man I think you have smoke coming out your ears.” Bryan said and popped a couple of fries in his mouth.
“I want to know what he said to her.”
“You’ll find out later when we get to the hotel. Cade I’m not blind I know you are more than attracted to her just remember she just turned twenty you’re twenty five. She’s Lucifer’s daughter, hell any man with a brain and a dick thinks she’s hot. Let’s just get them to the safe house and hope that Ronnie doesn’t find them.”
I scrubbed my hands down my face, “You’re right, but fuck man I’m pretty sure she feels something between us too.”
“Maybe—maybe not.”
We paid our tab and went back to the dorms. As we walked down the hall Theresa was knocking on their door then looked at us looked away then back at us.
“Hey, um,” she looked at the door with confusion, “I thought Syd came to let you guys in? She ditched class before I did because my keys are inside.”
“Are you serious?” Bryan asked.
“Yeah, she got a text about ten minutes before class was over and said she was going to meet you guys here to let you in.”
“Well obviously she didn’t.” I said and stuffed my hands in my pockets.
“Sooo, then, where is she?” Theresa said drawing out the words.
“You weren’t supposed to leave without each other.” Bryan whisper yelled at her since there were women in the halls.
Theresa held her hands up, “Hey, don’t be pissed at me I had to talk to the instructor about some notes that I had misplaced a week ago.”
I pulled my cell phone out and tried to call Sydney’s phone, it didn’t even ring it went right to voicemail. “Un.fucking.believable.” I said and tried calling her again. Same thing, straight to voicemail. Theresa and Bryan each tried calling and got the same thing.
“She has her phone off? That’s not normal for her, it’s her lifeline.” Theresa said with a sigh. She scrolled through her phone put it up to her ear while looking at each of us, “His goes right to voicemail too.”
“Ronnie’s?” Bryan asked.
“Yep.” She said and leaned against the wall.
“You’ll just have to go show us where he lives then.” I said and started to walk away.
“Um hello Einstein my car keys are locked inside.”
“Um hello Einstein…you’re going to ride with Bryan.” I said in a mocking tone to match hers.
“Oh, ha, sorry about that.” She smiled and walked with us out of the building. I followed Bryan for about ten minutes as we rode down side streets until Theresa tapped his shoulder and pointed at a small white house with a jacked up Ford pickup parked in the driveway. Theresa took her helmet off after Bryan stopped and got off his motorcycle. She ran across the street to the house and rang the doorbell a few times, nobody answered so she beat her fist against the door. A tall skinny guy wearing boxers opened the door and squinted from the brightness of the sun. He shook his head and let Theresa in. A few minutes later she came out of the house shaking her head. “She’s not here and neither is he.”
Bryan shook his head, “I guarantee you they are somewhere together.”
“I don’t see why she would go anywhere with him, she knows he’s dangerous.” Theresa said as she fastened the chin strap of the helmet and climbed on behind Bryan.
We rode back to the college, Theresa hunted down the janitor so she could get into the dorm. “I’m going to take a short nap will you please wake me up in an hour?” she asked Bryan.
“Yeah.” he said then nodded for me to go out in the hall with him.
“You’re going to have to keep me from strangling her when she shows up.” He ran his hand through his hair tugging on the back.
“What the fuck is she thinking?” I said. I leaned against the wall and stared at the celing.
“I bet you she is going to back out on going to the safe house too. I can’t make her man, all I can do is threaten to tell Prez everything.”
I shook my head but didn’t look at him, “I can’t fucking stand drama and that’s all this is. She isn’t going to go, neither of us can make her. We both know Prez will literally kill the motherfucker.” I finally looked at him. “It’s your call man.”
“I’ll talk to Theresa.” We went back in the dorm and relaxed until it was time to wake Theresa up. Bryan talked to her about what we had discussed.
“She normally just rides with him to the stadium, I’ll see if I can get her to talk to me tonight.” Theresa fixed her hair and makeup grabbed her keys and walked out with us behind her.
“You’re not riding with me?” Bryan asked looking from her car to her.
“Hell no I can’t have helmet hair.” She said with a laugh and got in her car.
We followed her to the stadium and parked our bikes out of harm’s way. Theresa said for us to behave ourselves then she waved before she disappeared through the tunnel into the stadium. Bryan and I paid for our tickets and went into the stadium after getting a soda and a snack. We sat about halfway up right in front of where the cheerleaders were. I looked at everybody that was stretching and didn’t see Sydney, “She’s not here yet.”
“I’m sure she will be, he wouldn’t make it that fucking obvious that he’s a complete tool by not showing up for the last game.”
I checked my watch, it was still an hour before the game was to start, Bryan nudged me with his shoulder and nodded towards the cheer squad. Sydney was practically skipping over towards them and Ronnie was walking the opposite way across the field. I couldn’t say anything all I could do was shake my head. Theresa had her hands firmly planted on her hips and was saying something to Sydney. Sydney looked up and spotted us watching the conversation and grabbed Theresa by the hand. She walked them over towards the front of the grandstands where they were out of sight. Cindy the coach clapped her hands and motioned for the girls to join the group. Theresa looked up at us and shook her head. “That can’t be good.” Bryan said.
“Nope.” I wanted to go down and drag Sydney away and demand her to tell me what the fuck had gone on. I knew exactly what had happened, he had taken her somewhere, gave her a long fucking sob story then probably fucked her until she agreed that things would work out. The schools fight song started blaring through the sound system and the squad ran over to the teams tunnel. One by one the players ran out and pumped their arms up and down. Ronnie was the last one out, he stopped at Sydney and wrapped his arms around her giving her a deep kiss and a swat on the ass before running to the sideline. He turned and scanned the crowd, when his eyes landed on me he smiled and winked.
“Well obviously he thinks he’s the winner already.” Bryan muttered.
The Hawks won the game, the students and fans rushed the field to congratulate the team. Ronnie instantly had Sydney in his arms, kissing her. They smiled at one another and held hands as others patted him on the back. Rather than hang around and wait for her I told Bryan we should meet her in the tunnel before she had a chance to ditch us.
We waited as people filed out of the tunnel and to their cars in the parking lot. Theresa, Sydney and one of the guys were the last three to come out of the stadium. “Syd we need to talk.” Bryan said. She hugged the guy that was walking with them and walked over to us.
“What’s up?” she said like nothing was wrong.
Bryan’s eyes got big, “What’s up? What the fuck is up is you ditched class early to leave with that asshole. The very asshole that need I remind you is the reason you called me to come up here.” He was trying not to yell but the last part echoed around us. I remained standing against the wall, watching her. She rolled her eyes and tried to walk past Bryan. He put an arm out to stop her. “You need to get your ass in that car with Theresa so we can get to the hotel.”
“No, everything is fine Bryan. Ronnie and I talked, and, we, we are going to be fine. You don’t need to know all the details but he’s getting help. So…”
“Are you fucking serious?” Bryan yelled. “You fucking believe him that he’s going to actually get help?”
“I know he’s getting help. I’m not going to the hotel, I’m not going to the safe house, and I’m not going to be bossed around by some egotistical hot headed biker.” She yelled in his face.
I had heard enough, “Let’s go man.” I grabbed Bryan’s shoulder and started to walk away, Sydney yelled my name but I ignored her and kept walking. She yelled it again and ran up in front of me so I couldn’t walk.
“Cade, I’m—I’m sorry. Thank you for everything.” She looked at Bryan, “I’m sorry I wasted your time. I’m sorry I called you those names, I truly do appreciate you guys coming here.” She looked back at me waiting for me to say something.
“Just remember what I said Sydney.” I walked past her, got on my motorcycle put my helmet on and
rode out of the parking lot. What I loved about riding was it gave me time to think, clear my head and relax but tonight I couldn’t. The ride home took about an hour and a half because of the traffic and the deer that seemed to be attracted to the sound of my pipes. I arrived at Bryan’s house thirty minutes before he did.
I went straight to the refrigerator for a beer, kicked my feet up on the coffee table and stared at the black TV screen.
Bryan walked in, “Theresa is going to keep me posted on how things go. If she even as much as suspects that shits getting bad again I’m telling Prez no questions asked.” He said and twisted the cap off of his beer bottle. “I still can’t believe she went back to him.” He shook his head.
“I can, they always do. They always fucking believe the asshole is going to change. The change might last a day, a month, two months if they’re lucky maybe longer. My mom went through it for ten fucking years and I went through it for two before mom finally put an end to it.” I drank the rest of my beer and went to the kitchen for another.
“Did it start off like this?” he asked.
“Yep, just like it. Then things would be great for a week or so, after too many drinks, something not going his way he would start in again.”
Bryan shook his head, “I fucking hope she knows what she’s doing. She’s a good girl she deserves better that’s for god damn sure.”
I snorted, “He’ll fuck it up I just hope he doesn’t ruin her in the process or worse.”
~~~~
Every few days Bryan would get a text from Theresa telling him that things were going good. Ronnie and Sydney were getting along better than they ever had and spent equal nights at each other’s places.
I helped with a couple of charity events for the local hospital, anytime there was something I could do to help little kids fighting illness, I was more than glad to help. Bryan kept trying to get me to patch over but I was perfectly fine with being the Nomad that they called when they needed help with something.
I left town and went to visit my grandparents that lived twenty minutes outside of town. They lived in a massive two story house that grandpa had helped build from the ground up and they always kept a room open for me. Grandpa’s health hadn’t been the best, he was starting to show early signs of Alzheimer’s, that worried not only my grandma but me. After the death of my dad my mom didn’t go to prison, even though I think it would have been the best place for her. She cried the day she dropped me off at her parents’ house and left me there. We didn’t hear from her for three years until the police in California called and told us she had been arrested for prostitution. We made the trip out there only to be told by her that she would rather die than have to look me in the eyes and see the evil green ever again. So my grandparents raised me and put me through two years of a technical college where I graduated with honors from the mechanics course. I was always fascinated watching my grandpa work on cars and motorcycles, taking things apart that didn’t work, putting them back together and them working again was what I wanted to do.