Painted Lines

by Brei Betzold

  Painted Lines

  By

  Brei Betzold

  Painted Lines

  Copyright © 2013 by Brei Betzold

  Published June, 18 2013

  Publisher Brei Betzold

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  All rights reserved. This edition is copyrighted by Brei Betzold and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. January 2013.

  Edited by Tanya Keetch

  Cover Design by Robin Harper

  Warning:

  This is not a fluffy love story - it contains and alludes to violence, torture, and rape – a heroine broken in mind but not spirit – a hero with his own past regrets

  Dedication:

  This book is dedicated to every person who has helped me along the way, my family, my readers, my friends, thank you.

  Chapter 1

  I walked into the garage and took a deep breath inhaling the familiar scents of oil, gasoline, and oranges. It smelled the same as any other shop I had ever been in; it smelled like home. I’ve grown up in motorcycle shops, garages, and custom paint shops, following my father around his shop and later my grandpa, Saul, learning the trade as well as picking up one of my own. Which is what led me here, joining a team of misfits to compete for a cash prize. We hoped to win and use the money to open our own custom bike shop. We didn’t have big plans, just a small shop where we could perform our own forms of artistry out of, creating one of a kind motorcycles for people who could afford them. I looked over at the other three members of my team, one being my best friend. We both grew up playing in grease instead of dirt, getting in the way, learning from the men in our lives. The other two were relatively unknown, but geniuses we had found along the way, kindred spirits in wanting to pursue this dream with us. We had all come together and created our own nonconformist family, and now we had finally found a means to an end, or so we hoped.

  I looked around the shop we would be creating in for the next six weeks, there were seven stalls; one for each team to work in and an extra for storage holding everything we would need to create works of art. I could build a bike, growing up in a shop had its advantages, but my particular specialty was paint. Simon, my best friend, could do a bit of everything including running a shop's business side. Kale was an engine expert; he could build or fix almost anything with moving parts. Then there was Liam, he’s a miracle worker with metal, he can mold it in ways I had never seen before. I hoped that with all of our combined strengths, knowledge, and luck we would be able to win this competition and the $500k the winner would receive.

  I heard shuffling behind me and peeked over my shoulder, I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. In walked a man who I had known since birth, and still called Uncle. He returned my grin and held his arms open for me, which I instantly ran into.

  “Scout,” he breathed out hugging me tight.

  “Uncle Matt,” I replied.

  “What are you doing here, Seraph?” He asked using the name he had called me for as long as I can remember.

  I shrugged. “Same as you would be my guess.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were planning on entering?”

  “Probably the same reason you didn’t tell us you were.” I replied with an arched eyebrow.

  He finally let me go only to wrap his arm around my shoulder. “Simon,” he said giving a nod.

  “Dad,” Simon replied.

  “So I take it Saul still refuses to help,” he stated. We both knew he would never help me; he was of the old school mindset. If you wanted something bad enough, you went out and made it happen by yourself so you appreciated it more once you had it. Not that I could find any fault in his logic, and preferred it this way.

  “Yep, but that’s okay, I would rather do it on my own.”

  “Oh I know that Seraph, you’ve always wanted to do things yourself.”

  I looked over at the other five guys that had walked in with Matt, smiled and waved at the guys I had also known a long time, they all returned it as they passed by me.

  “Heard anything from Cas?” asked Matt.

  “Yeah, yesterday actually.”

  “How is he?”

  “Doing well, ready to come home though.”

  “Yeah, I am sure you’re ready for him to come home.”

  I swallowed and nodded, my brother, Cas, was currently in Afghanistan on his third tour with the Marines, and was supposed to be home in a month. I was beyond ready for him to come home, especially since this would be his last tour; he had decided not to reenlist.

  “He still plan on not reenlisting?”

  “Told him if he did, he had better beg to be sent back over because it would be better off than having to face me.”

  “That’s my girl, since he’s smart and knows you, he won’t test you on this.”

  “Let’s hope,” I muttered.

  “I would be more afraid of you, Seraph, even with all his training,” Uncle Matt chuckled giving me another one armed hug before letting go to look around.

  I looked over at my team and smiled, they all looked a little shell shocked looking around at who all was there, and I couldn’t blame them. Other than Simon, my team was newer and didn’t know Matt and his team well, only their hard-earned reputation. I knew that we could beat them. They tended to stick to the old school ways, where we tended to pull inspiration from everything.

  We continued to stand around and talk amongst ourselves as we watched more groups of competitors walk in, most of which I knew personally or knew of. I noticed Uncle Matt staying near our group, as if to protect me, who knew from what. As far as I knew he wouldn’t be competing with us. He would never lower himself to competing for money on a television show, and in all reality he didn’t need the money like most of us did.

  I noticed many of the known shops were here with only their not as well-known builders showing up to represent them. I could understand that, wanting to make a name for yourself outside of the shop you worked for; this would be the way to go about it. As we stood around waiting for everyone to show up, I said hellos, and listened to how everyone’s families were doing. All the while checking out the competition and meeting those I didn’t already know. With one team still not here, we were called into a meeting with the production crew. They quickly corralled us into a group and began listing the rules, the way it all worked, and all the other info we had already been told.

  I looked around wondering who the last team was. Simon elbowed me in the ribs causing me to look up, finding the producer of the show staring at me. I decided to focus up front and look around when we were finished.

  Two hours later, we were released after signing all the contracts, agreeing to the rules again, and listening to more people who I didn’t really care about talk. They still weren’t telling us who the judges would be, which was fine with me, I wasn’t really worried about it at this point. My biggest concern was getting to the motel so I could shower and sleep since I had been awake for over twenty-four hours. I made my way to my brand new Ducati Diavel Dark, Cas bought me for my twenty-first birthday. While I loved this bike and its speed, I still preferred my 2009 Sportster Iron 883, that Saul, bought me for my eighteenth birthday. I was ready to be reunited with my Harley, it would be brought to the house we were renting while in Sturgis, Wyoming for the competition. We had then planned to stay for the bike rally that was two months away.

  I hated motels but I could handle it for one night while we waited to move into our rental. I was not looking forward t
o living with three guys though. I had lived with Simon, Kale, and Liam before, and knew for a fact that they are all slobs. I don’t think it was something Simon’s wife would ever break him of. However, I was looking forward to his wife, Cameron, coming soon with their infant son. I missed them both, and I am sure it would help Simon’s mood once they got here as well. I was reaching for my helmet when I heard someone clearing their throat behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and found my Uncle Matt watching me.

  “What’s up?”

  “Want to go get some dinner?”

  “No, not really, I want a hot shower and some sleep.”

  “Come on, Seraph, let's go get a burger,” he wheedled.

  “Uncle Matt, I’m tired. I got here just before we had to meet up for this, now all I want to do is check in and get some sleep.”

  He nodded rubbing his hand against his beard that was greyer than the red I was used to. “Come on, Scout, get some food with me.”

  I sighed, he wasn’t going to let this go. “Fine, but let’s make it quick.”

  “Okay, follow me?”

  I nodded and grabbed my helmet, pulling my hair up, and tucked it in, as I swung my leg over. Starting my bike, its low purr vibrating throughout my body. Damn, I loved this bike. I followed Matt out of the parking lot and through the city streets, pacing myself with him and his chopper.

  Once we pulled up in front of a well-known bar and grill, I parked beside him turning off the bike and taking off my helmet.

  “So where’d ya get that?” He asked, gesturing to the bike.

  I smiled. “Cas got her for me for my birthday.”

  “What’d ya name her?”

  “Angel,” I replied smiling over at him as I stroked her tank affectionately, I had plans for her.

  “She’s all stock?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, she’s stock, haven’t had her long.”

  He shook his head mumbling, probably something derogatory about my bike. Damn old school bikers. We walked towards the restaurant in companionable silence. I knew he wanted to talk to me about something, but he wouldn’t get around to it until he was damn good and ready.

  After we were seated and done looking over menus, I couldn’t stand the quiet anymore. I was either going to fall asleep where I sat or throw something at him. I was currently leaning more towards sleep. After riding non-stop from San Diego to here, I really needed the sleep. Cas and I shared a townhouse in San Diego, but since he was hardly home it was more my house that he happened to pay half the rent on. It worked out well for us since it gave me my privacy, as well as a place for Cas to crash when he was Stateside. Though I think the main reason he wanted me to move into the townhouse was to make sure I was living somewhere safe. My eyes were doing the slow blink, as if they weren’t sure if they would have the energy to reopen. When someone cleared their throat beside me I nearly jumped from the booth.

  Looking up I found an irritated server snapping her gum in my direction. I stole a quick glance over at Matt who was staring back at me expectantly.

  “What?”

  “Your drink order, ma'am?” She asked, clearly annoyed.

  I cleared my throat, ordering a cup of coffee, in desperate need of caffeine. When I looked over at Matt again, I found him smirking at me. That all-knowing smirk of his that used to get me to fess up to whatever I had done, without him ever having to say a thing.

  “What?” I grumbled.

  “How long since you last slept?”

  I squinted in his direction doing the math. “Thirty-six hours or so, I think.”

  He shook his head at me. “Why?”

  “Had things to do before I left, then there was the ride up.” I responded around a yawn.

  “What was so important you couldn’t stop to sleep, Seraph?”

  “Had to get things ready for Cam to drive up, stuff around the house for when Cas comes home, and then there was a couple of things at the shop I’ve been working on.” I said giving the waitress a grateful smile when she plunked the coffee cup down in front of me. I took a long drink, scalding the inside of my mouth, it burned but the pain seemed to help wake me up.

  I waved her off after Matt ordered, not really in the mood for food. All I really wanted was to find out why Matt had asked me to come out with him instead of letting me go to bed.

  “When’s Cas coming home?”

  “Next month, he’s taking leave and then it will be time for his reenlistment.”

  “What’s he going to do when he gets out?”

  “We’ve talked about him helping me get the shop open then working there, but honestly, I don’t think he really wants to.”

  Matt nodded. “Then what does he want to do?’

  “I have no idea but I don’t think he does either.”

  “Well, maybe he will help out until he decides what he does want to do. You two always did work well together.”

  I simply shrugged and looked away. Of course we worked well together, we both knew the only reason my dad had taught me anything was because of Cas.

  “So what did you want, Uncle Matt?”

  “Ace and Lace are competing.”

  “Ah, fuck me,” I muttered gulping down the rest of my coffee. Without another word I stood up and walked away.

  Chapter 2

  I finally made it to my motel room and let myself in, only to be welcomed by the sound of loud freight train style snoring. Of course, I mean is it too much to ask to actually be able to sleep? I leaned down, untying my boots, and hastily kicking them off into the corner. I pulled off my belt and dropped my jeans to the floor, stepping out of them, while heading towards the bathroom. I flicked on the light letting it shine over the double beds, snickering at the groans and cussing it elicited from the piles of bodies. Taking pity on them, I quickly walked in shutting the door behind me. I turned on the shower, twisting the knob to make the water as hot as possible, and slipped back out in search of my bag. Once I found it, I decided to just grab the whole bag and bring it with me. I stood up, turned around, and screamed, there stood Simon, his hair mussed wearing nothing but a smile.

  I reached out smacking him on the arm. “Fucking asshole.”

  He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, “Sorry.” I couldn’t see the smirk but I knew it was there.

  “No, you’re not,” I complained.

  “Shut up!” Came from one of the lumps still in bed.

  I glared up at Simon once more then headed back towards the bathroom. Simon was quick on my heels. I stripped out of the rest of my clothes making sure I was facing away from him and hopped in the now steaming hot shower. I stood under the spray letting it wash away the hours of the road, stress, and ease my tense muscles. It had been a rough week for all of us, trying to prepare for the trip and all. I was just glad we were finally here.

  “So what did Dad want?”

  “To tell me that Ace and Lace are here.” I responded still not leaving the hot water.

  “Yeah I heard that, but I don’t know what group they are.”

  I nodded even though he couldn’t see me, “Yeah, since no one came up to us I kinda figured.”

  “You okay?” He asked quietly.

  “Fine, not concerned with them. I just want to compete, win, then go home and get to work on our own shop.”

  “Okay, then I’m going back to bed.”

  “K, be there in a few.”

  I felt the cool air blow in when he opened the door. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand up for much longer so I quickly washed and pulled on some clothes. I walked back into the main room, climbing into bed with Simon. He instinctively spooned around me, snoring in my ear. I sighed, elbowing him to move, and once he did, I curled up into the fetal position, closing my eyes and finally went to sleep.

  I woke up the following morning with something wet wiggling in my ear; I jerked my head up to find a grinning Liam lying in bed beside me. I rubbed my ear silently cursing him to hell and back.

  “What the fuck, Li?
”

  He laughed at me, “Time to get up, princess.”

  I growled at him and his use of the nickname he gave me when we met, which only caused him to laugh harder.

  “Fucking dickhead motherfuckers, I am surrounded by stupid asses.” I muttered climbing out of bed, when a resounding slap sounded and my ass began to sting. I jerked at the blow and ended up falling back onto the bed, looking up, giving my most scathing glower at a silently laughing Kale.

  “I fucking hate all of you!” I yelled, grabbing the bag I had brought back in the room last night, stormed into the bathroom, and slammed the door. When I turned around, I found Simon sitting down taking a shit, I screamed in frustration.

  “I swear there had better be a fucking lock on my bedroom door.” I growled at Simon, he grunted and waved me off.

  I dropped my bag on the floor and went to work finding a bra and a clean pair of jeans. When I finally found the pair I wanted, I tugged the softly worn paint covered jeans on. Skillfully I slipped my arms out of my tank slipping the bra on, clipping it quickly and putting everything into rights before I had to listen to Simon whine. I pulled the small bag of toiletries out and searched for my hairbrush and something to pull my hair back with. I ran the brush through my hair then pulled my long turquoise hair back into a ponytail. That happened to be the limit of my hair styling knowledge.

  I looked in the mirror and nearly groaned. My face was covered in angry red lines from sleep and my eyes had dark circles underneath them. At times, I wish I knew more about being a girl, my emerald green eyes shone back at me with sadness. I shook it off and brushed my teeth.

  I had been surprised I hadn’t gotten crap because of my piercings. Matt normally had comments to make, especially with the new ones. I had been adding to my piercings and tats since I was seventeen, I now had two sets of shark bites, two dimple piercings, and my septum pierced, and I was happy with how they looked, finally. I spit, rinsed out my mouth, and turned to find Simon watching me.

  “Yes?”

  “When did we become an old married couple?”