Page 26 of The Biker's Brother

“Why’d you do it?”

“What? Get the ink?”

“Yes.”

Brandon sighed. “It’s a story for another time.” He smiled over at her. “Maybe someday.” He put his foot on the brake and slowed even further. “And here we are.”

There were three other cars in the parking lot. Because the day was so dark and the lights were so bright, Brandon could see inside the building and appraise the risk before they ever got out of the car. Instead of parking close to the front, he parked as close to the back door as possible, which meant it was also mostly hidden by the big garbage containers.

“It’s garbage bag time,” he said. When she was finished readying her plastic cover, he said, “The back door is probably locked. We can try it or run for the front.”

“Back door,” she said decisively and without hesitation.

Brandon smiled. She was a risk taker. Like him.

“On three. One. Two. Three.”

They slammed the car doors and ran for the rear door. It was locked. Over the rain, he heard Cami giggle about the fact that they couldn’t get in.

Once inside, the assistant manager welcomed them.

“Thanks,” said Brand. “We’ll take that booth in the back. The one right over there by the kitchen.”

The manager nodded and handed them two menus, smiling.

“Sit where you want.”

When Brandon took the side of the booth against the back wall, he was satisfied that he could see everything; the parking lot, the entire eatery, and part of the kitchen. Cami sat facing him, which meant she was facing away from everybody else. It wasn’t as safe as a bunker, but it was as safe as breakfast was going to be on a Thursday morning near the Kentucky state line.

By the time they got their menus open the waitress was there with setups and coffee cups.

“You kids look half drowned. You want coffee?”

“Yes, please,” Cami smiled up at her.

“Yeah. Thanks,” Brandon said.

“Cream?”

“None for me. She’ll have enough for both of us though.” He didn’t look up from his menu when he said it.

The waitress laughed and looked at Cami. “I like a little coffee with my cream, too, hon.”

In a few seconds she was back with a cream pitcher and a coffee carafe. As soon as she filled the cups with steaming hot java Cami put both hands around her mug to warm them up.

“Hmmm,” she said. “Now if I was only dry and warm and had a chance at a decent meal.”

Brandon flipped his menu.

“This food is better than decent. It’savailable.” He paused before adding, “Now.”

“You make a good argument.” She opened her menu and started to look around.

When the waitress came back, Brandon said, “I’ll have the steak and eggs with hashbrowns, sunny side up, medium on the steak. Instead of toast bring me a grilled cheese sandwich cut in half.”

She nodded and looked at Cami.

“Two scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Do you have wheat toast?”