Page 120 of Ranger's Rise

Chapter Thirteen

Two days

Ranger

I pull in and laugh. My spot is covered by a pop-up tent and roped off. There are hats hanging from the tent and gloves in every color. I almost tip seeing a silver beaded glove. I’m never fucking wearing that.

Freedom is laughing hysterically. She points to the top and I throw the stand before I drop it. They have g-strings and matching gloves. “It’s all the same hand. They’re fucking awesome.”

I nod agreeing with her while pulling my plain brown glove off then pull on one that has the Phoenix logo on the back. “Fucking perfect.”

When I reach for the fire g-string, Freedom is laughing again.She’s holding paper and reading or laughing while she reads. “Songs about Freedom.” She holds it out to me and I smile.

In between the cases of beer and bottles, are papers. I pull one walking toward her. They’re lyrics to songs so I can sing to her. “Fuckin Crazy Brothers.”

“Take the matching hat. That’s Badass.”

I look at where she’s pointing and swing my head. They’re the best fucking Brothers. It’s like the hat that Doc got me. Cort said it’s a fedora. I take the hat down and look at it. It’s brown, but light. The thin fabric strip is fire with the Phoenix logo on the side. “It’s fucking Badass.” When I put it on, I’m surprised it fits. We’ve stopped a couple of times and I tried a few on, but the ones I like never fit.

Freedom reaches up and bends the front. “Perfect. It’s like the one you always wear, but this has your attitude. I love it.”

I show her the g-string and she rolls her eyes at me. When I stuff it in my pocket, she laughs. I take her hand and pull her along. “I get a dance and don’t have to sing for it.”

She’s still laughing. Inside Seren, Victory and Harmony pull her down the hall. Fuck, they didn’t even say hi.

I walk in and the Brothers like the hat. I do too and thank them. All of Inner Circle are waiting for me by the bar. “I knew you’d wear that one.” Cort is smiling.

“Put the politician smile away, it was a no-brainer.” VP has me laughing. I always think he smiles like he’s running for office too.

“Has anyone seen Shaggy?” Falcon asks.

I swing my head and notice Banks looking the other way. With a smile I ask, “You know anything about Shaggy, Banks?”

When he turns my way Cort laughs. “Busted. Where is he?”

Banks tries for innocent but doesn’t make it. “Spill, Banks.” Cort orders.

“I was just the Officer.” He stops like that tells us everything.

Web laughs. “Scraps and Banks took him for a ride on the dish. He left town early Saturday morning after a visit to the hospital. The Alpha-Bits found it funny.”

I’m laughing with Raid and Falcon. “Good call, Brother. If you wrecked my dish I’m going to be pissed,” Cort says and Banks smiles.

“It’s in perfect condition, Cort. Not a scratch. Scraps can fucking ride, Brother.” He looks surprised by that.We’re all laughing.

The music blasts loud and Falcon says fuck and turns to the bar. Cort laughs. “She won’t dance unless he sings.”

VP smiles my way. “You singing, Brother?”

I swing my head. No fucking way.

The music stops and I watch for Freedom. Seren comes out and I think I’m in trouble. Women are behind her. She stops in the middle of the floor, the women behind her fan out. Seren smiles our way. This doesn’t look good for me.

“Fuck. I’m gonna need knee-pads.” Cort groans, but I’m waiting for what she has to say.

“We’re the ol’ ladies and decided we’re done dancing because that’s your tradition. You got Club chicks that will dance on demand. We’ll dance when we damn well feel like it.”

Okay. I look at Cort. “Do you feel like dancing, Kram?”