Bear Naked 4: The Sons of Garm

Chapter 13

Tanner was nearly bouncing with excitement as he followed Robbie down the path towards the parking area. He shouldn't bounce. Robbie had found him an old pair of leather chaps and a leather vest to go over his jeans and T-shirt. He had a do rag. He looked the part of the biker, and bikers didn't bounce. He had to play it cool.

He wasn't sure why he was a better fit than the others, but he was glad to get a cool assignment, going into the neutral lands to make contact with another tribe. He was also glad to go with Robbie. He knew he should still be mad, but he couldn't help it, Robbie was cool. And Jonathan obviously forgave him.

He'd worried, very briefly, that Robbie wanted him because he planned some double cross and didn't want to get Jonathan hurt. But then Erica or Brianna would have worked as well.

Then he saw the motorcycles and forgot everything. Nothing fancy, not Harley's or nothing, Robbie had warned. But still they were some serious cruisers. "Cool bikes," Tanner gushed.

"Thanks. They're my babies. One nice thing I got in life." Robbie threw him a helmet. "Vince taught you to ride?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I trust him."

They both straddled their bikes. "So where exactly are we going?"

"A biker bar. North side of Chicago. About three hours one way. We'll drive down today, make contact tonight and come back tomorrow."

"Bar? I don't got a fake or nothing," Tanner said.

"They'll let you in."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Just don't drink. And if you're offered drugs, don't."

"Take all the wildness out of the trip," Tanner muttered.

Robbie laughed. "Not even close." He pulled the bike close. "Look, there's things. Not dangerous things. But things even Arthur don't know. And Johnnie boy, I don't know what he'd think, either. You'll see soon enough. When we get back, you want to tell Connor. That's your choice. But not Arthur, or Johnnie boy, deal?"

"Deal," Tanner said.

Robbie pulled his helmet down and kicked the bike to life. Tanner followed after.

Three hours of roaring down the highway left Tanner saddlesore and his arms numb from the constant vibration. But his excitement came back in a rush as Tanner pulled in front of a dingy bar front with parking lot filled with bikes of all sizes and description.

A man in a long black duster looked them over as they dismounted. Robbie gave the man a small nod and he nodded back. Robbie then gave Tanner an almost sheepish look. "Well, this is The Saddle."

A group of men in black leather were heading into the bar in front of them. A couple men sat outside and smoked, leaning back on their bikes and watching the crowd.

It looked exactly like what Tanner had expected from a biker bar, except for the neon rainbow sign over the bar and the complete lack of women in the crowd. "Umm, Robbie?"

As Robbie predicted, the bouncer didn't even ask Tanner for an ID. Just inside Robbie turned. "Remember, no drinks, boy." He snapped the boy out. "Not even soda unless you see the bartender pour it in a clean glass. Boy?"

"Yes, sir," Tanner said. As they passed within the bar he repeated. "Umm, Robbie?"

"Okay, it's leather," Robbie said. "As long as they think you're my boy, they won't hit on you. Be okay."

"Am I your boy?" Tanner asked.

Robbie stopped and gave him a quizzical look.

"Just askin'."