Just Keep Running (Bulldogs MC #2) [Featured]

4: When He Needs To Know

^^ Jay ^^

I'd ridden aimlessly for hours before heading back towards town. I don't want to go back to the clubhouse yet. My anger has worn off, and now all that is left is white hot pain, making my chest ache so hard it feels like my heart has exploded. I find an industrial estate on the outskirts of town that looks abandoned. It catches my eye because of the large tarmacked car park. I hadn't stunted since I left England and the itch to play is unbearable.

The sun is high in the sky now, and the day is sweltering, but I ignore it all, concentrating on the feel of my bike as I perform the tricks. It comes so naturally to me now, like the bike is an extension of myself. I play around with wheelies and stoppies, switching my positioning to have my legs hanging over the bars. I get the bike going in a large circle and pull up so that my feet are on the seat. As I put my hands on the tank and push myself up into a handstand, I spot something out of the corner of my eye and almost wobble, catching myself at the last minute. I clear my mind again, feeling the bike begin to slow. I lower myself back down and speed the bike up. I pull the front wheel up and spin in a tight turn, before lowering it again, stopping to face the bikes at the edge of the car park. They're all there, the wankers.

I don't move, simply revving the engine, watching them watching me. I feel like I'm in some old western movie, only instead of horses, it's motorbikes. I chuckle at the thought, glad my helmet is a full face one so they can't see. They're all talking together, and when Jay pulls towards me, I realise they'd been trying to decide who to send. I'm glad it's him - if it was any of the others I'd probably have left. I pull my helmet off as he slowly approaches me, showing him I won't leave yet. He pulls up next to me and I'm grateful. I knew he hadn't stopped in front of me so that I wouldn't feel trapped. He understands me already, and for a moment I wonder what he's running from. I place my helmet on my tank but leave the engine running, a subtle warning not to piss me off.

"That was impressive," he says. Again I'm grateful. He didn't ask the three dreaded words. 'Are you okay?' I hate that question. Did people ever want an honest answer? Or did they want you to just say yes so they didn't have to worry anymore? I nod my thanks, not sure what to say. He hasn't done anything wrong, but my temper is fragile right now. "How did you learn?" He asks, and I laugh.

"Trial and error," I grin. He raises an eyebrow like he doesn't believe me. "Seriously, I'll show you the scars from all the errors one day!"

He laughs, and I can't help but join in. His laugh isn't loud and obnoxious, it's gentle and honest. His eyes sparkle whenever he does it, and it makes me feel warm inside. For a moment it's easy to forget that he is a gang member who carries a gun, no matter how much he denied it was a gang. He turns back to the others and motions with his hand that they can leave. They all pull off apart from one, and I scowl when I realise it's Smiler. Jay must have noticed because he puts a hand on my arm. "It's just for safety. He'll keep his distance," I nod and he takes his hand away. He looks up at me again after a few minutes. "Fancy a beer?"

I grin. "Love one. If you can beat me back I'll let you play me at pool," I tell him, putting my helmet on. He frowns for a second, before turning his bike back on, but I'm already moving, fast. Damn, I love the speed. For a moment I panic that I won't remember the way back, but as I pull onto the road I realise it's all familiar. By the time they pull into the clubhouse a few moments after me, I was off my bike and leaning against the wall, one foot propped against it, and checking my nails like I'd been there for hours.

Jay steps off his bike and walks towards me, shaking his head. As he gets closer, I go to ask what he's doing, but I stop when he puts his hands on my hips and winks at me. Butterflies pound in my stomach until he yanks me from the wall and picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder. I squeal and feel his shoulders shake with laughter as Smiler opens the door for him. He plonks me down on to the bar, pinning me there with his hands on my thighs.