"Hey what do ya know…another bar..." Tanya said sardonically as their little group pulled into the parking lot behind Mark.
"Good food though." The big man returned glancing over his shoulder to watch as Erica set her kickstand and swung a leg over her bike. He smiled as she wiped some road dust from her thighs and headed over, lighting a cigarette on the way.
"Jesus Mark, you're gonna make me eat here again?" Adam moped pulling a rubber band out of his hair.
"You're damn right I am. I like this place." He grinned.
"So I take it you two frequent this area?" Erica smirked up at the two men as she stretched and reached for the door.
"This place is scary." Adam leaned over to Tanya to say. The small woman laughed and shook her head.
"Wait…wait a second, we're missing someone." Erica said stopping and craning her neck around her group to find Ash. She was still sitting on her bike. The taller redhead waved them all inside and walked back to the younger woman.
"What's the problem little girl?" She asked propping her foot up on the front peg of Ash's bike.
"Nothing…"
"Then, get off the bike and c'mon." She said.
"I…I'll be there in a second." Ash said looking down toward the gravel parking lot.
"No dear, you're coming now. I'm not giving you the chance to bolt on us now." Erica grinned and held a hand out for her new friend as she stepped away from her bike.
"Why do you care?" The smaller woman spat, her face becoming the perfect mask of misery. Erica's eyebrows pulled together in an almost motherly frown. Just as quickly as the look came it was gone, replaced by the hardened exterior Ash had met in the bar.
"Get off the bike, put one foot in front of the other, get your happy ass into that bar, and have some fun with us." She commanded.
"What do you know about those guys?" Ash finally asked. Erica nodded seeing the root of her hesitation.
"Absolutely nothing. They're fun to look at though, and they'll buy drinks. First rule of living this way my dear, never turn down free anything." She smiled wickedly and yanked on Ash's arm.
"I don't trust them."
"Neither do I. No one said we had to. Let's go." Erica said tugging again. Finally, Ash relented and swung off of her bike. "YES! That's my girl. Now let's go find us someone to steal from." The thought brought a slight smirk to the auburn haired woman's face and she headed, albeit hesitantly, into the dirty old bar.
"Girl talk?" Mark teased as he saw them weaving through the tables toward them.
"Sure, we were talking about how your ass looks in those jeans." Erica returned plopping down next to him and accepting a beer.
"Burgers are on the way." Tanya said tipping back a bottle of her own. Both women nodded
"So… Ashley?" Adam began from across the table. "What are you doing out here with these two?" The little girl blushed and was grateful when Mark handed her a cold bottle as well. She took a long drink, grimaced, and nodded a thanks to the big man.
"She's searching for her destiny." Erica answered for her, leaning back in her chair. Adam ran a hand through his long hair and arched an eyebrow at Ash.
"Destiny huh? That's a pretty tall order." He reached for something to say.
"It's better than what I was doing." Ash shrugged.
"And that was…" He prodded.
"Oh you know, stealing bikes, running away from home." Tanya said breezily. Ash shot her a look of horror.
"Stealing bikes?" Adam blurted. "I don't think I want to know." He made a show of checking his pockets for his keys. Producing them from the inner pocket of his leather jacket, he smiled triumphantly.
"No…it wasn't like that." Ash blushed. "It was…technically my bike. I bought it and everything was in my name. All I did was liberate it. She was made to be ridden, not locked up in a garage for half the year." Adam smiled nodding appreciatively.
"And what a bike she is…" He smiled, sipping a glass of what looked like water, and smiled the most dazzling smile Ash had ever seen.
"So… who's got the next round? I'm empty here." Tanya broke in shaking an amber bottle with some foam in the bottom.
"Oh, I'm on it." Erica said standing and polishing off her own beer. Mark grabbed her wrist and yanked her down to him planting a soft kiss against her lips. Erica's breath caught in her throat.
"No baby girl, I've got it." He smirked at her. "Then I want a rematch." He winked then glanced at a pool table in the back before standing to belly up to the bar.
"What the hell was that?" Tanya laughed as she watched him go.
"I have…no idea." Erica blushed and sat heavily back down as the food arrived.
"Just… so you know…" Adam offered. "He doesn't do that." A deep red flush crept up Erica's cheeks and she tried to shrink down into her chair.
"Ladies…" Mark said handing off bottles. "Adam…" He set down another glass of clear liquid in front of his friend.
"Our rematch will have to wait." Erica said digging into her burger.
"But I will get it before we leave this place, woman." He growled sitting down and pulling a plate toward him.
"Same stakes?" Erica grinned slyly.
"Or…we could up the ante." He smirked popping a fry into his mouth. "Where are y'all staying tonight?"
"Whoa! If you guys wanna up your stakes and all go right ahead but if you're putting your asses on the line literally, do it somewhere we don't have to watch." Tanya said scooting away from the table.
"Don't get yourself all worked up there shorty. We haven't found ourselves a place to stay yet tonight." He laughed at the brunette's discomfiture. "If I win back my self respect we split the room."
"And if I win again and maintain my hold on your self respect?" Erica laughed. Mark snaked an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him.
"You won't win again." He whispered into her ear and touched his lips to the soft skin at the nape of her neck. Erica shivered and turned to meet his deep green eyes. There was something utterly playful and dangerous hiding there. No matter how many times she told herself she didn't trust him, she found herself wanting to desperately.
"Let's get this done." She smirked and stood, moving away from him, her hips swaying as she headed out of the bar to retrieve her cue from her bike. "You ready to lose kid?" She taunted as she breezed by him to the table.
"Rack'em." He growled and stood up to follow her.
"This is gonna get ugly, you know that right?" Adam chuckled to the two women left at the table. "I've never seen him lose to anyone."
"What do you think he'll do?" Ash asked apprehensively. Adam shrugged and playfully kicked her foot under the table.
"I wouldn't worry too much. If I know the old man the way I think I do, I'd say he's got it bad for your friend there."
"WOW!" Tanya blurted. "What was your first clue?" Adam stuck his tongue out at her.
Suddenly, Ash turned her head, her eyes searching for something in the crowd.
"I'll be back…" She said absently and got up apparently having found what she was looking for. The two people left shrugged and turned to see the outcome of the game of pool.
"Did you just wanna give up now sweetheart?" Mark grinned as he stood at one side of the table and grinned. In this game of eight ball, he only had one ball left to go. Erica hadn't even gotten a shot off.
"Oh no. By all means, choke." She smiled back as she took a drag off her cigarette. The big man chuckled and walked over to the cue ball.
"You know, these'll kill you." He said snatching her cigarette out of her mouth and taking a long drag himself. "You really should quit."
"Just make your shot kid." She frowned and took it back. Mark glanced down at her and rolled his eyes before leaning over the table for the shot. He pulled back smoothly on his cue and in one fluid motion sent it forward crashing into the white ball. It exploded against the eight ball, bouncing it across the table toward a pocket. It bounced in and then back out and rolled forlornly back across the green.
"Son-of-a…" He cursed and thumped his cue on the worn wooden floor. "Your shot." He said taking the cigarette from her again and replacing it with his lips. Dimly, Erica felt his arms slide across her back as the kiss deepened. Then, as abruptly as it started, he pulled away, a satisfied grin on his face. "Go on." He whispered and nudged her toward the cue ball.
"Right." She said shakily, tearing her gaze from his heavily lidded eyes and eyed up her shot.
She didn't take her eyes off the table again until it was cleared.
"Best of three?" She smirked walking around the table to him and gently removing a beer from his hand. Mark took the hint and pulled her close again.
"Hell no." He laughed as she put his bottle to her lips. "I've got to save what little face I have now."
"So what's my prize?" She teased, her face inches from his.
"I don't believe we ever discussed that." He said quietly brushing his nose gently against hers. Erica smiled and opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by a group of women giggling like schoolgirls very close to them. She frowned and turned to find the source.
"Why are they looking at you like that?" She asked after the women gave Mark a hearty once over and glared daggers at her. Mark looked over and stiffened.
"I…have no idea. Maybe they're just jealous of you."
"Hey Taker!" One of them called. "Dump the ring rat. We'll show you a good time." A big haired blonde boasted. Her three friends just cackled.
Erica's formerly peaceful façade crumbled into a mask of anger.
"What'd you call me?" She turned to them.
"You heard me fine, fucking ring rat." She went on, obviously emboldened by liquor.
Mark felt her tense.
"Don't do it, it's not worth it." He cautioned her as she pulled out of his arms and stalked over to the drunken women.
"Care to say that again?" She responded calmly, folding her tattooed arms across her chest.
"How'd you pull that off?" The blonde asked snidely tilting her chin at Mark as she spoke.
"How is that any of your business?"
"Fuckin ring rats, you're nothing but whores." She went on.
"Wait…did you just call me a whore?" Erica hissed at the blonde, taking a step closer, crowding her into her friends.
"You're with Taker, what else could you possibly be?"
"Say it again." Erica coaxed.
"Fucking whore…" The trailer trash grinned as she spoke. The redhead nodded resolutely and before any of them saw it coming, swung and hit the instigator with a perfectly placed right hook.
Her friends screamed as she staggered backward and fell onto them.
"Stupid bitch." Erica stated matter-of-factly and turned to walk back to Mark when the blonde caught her with a forearm in the back of the head.
Quick as a cat, Erica turned and lunged, grabbing her by the throat and squeezing.
"What'd you call me you redneck piece of shit?" She growled as the woman flailed in her grasp. She cocked back her free hand, ready to destroy her profile when huge arms circled her waist and pulled her off of the other woman.
"Get her off me Matt! Fuckin kill her!" The blonde rasped as she coughed, rubbing her throat.
"Yeah Matt, kill me, I dare you." Erica growled and worked her hand to her pocket.
"Are you done you crazy bitch?" The man holding her asked, his voice was thick with alcohol. She stopped fighting. "Maybe you're not so fuckin stupid after all." He laughed and loosened his grip. It was just the opening she needed.
As soon as she had room to move, Erica spun in his arms and slashed him across the chest.
"Mother fucker!" He yelled and staggered backward. "The stupid bitch cut me!" The look on the meathead's face changed to pure rage and he charged cocked back to swing on her. Erica ducked it easily and brought an elbow down between his shoulder blades as his momentum carried him past. He grunted and hit the floor.
"My problem is not with you, ya stupid shit!" She yelled and transferred her gaze back to the blonde. "It's with you." She pointed with the blade in her hand. The blonde paled, her eyes were as big as dinner plates.
Before Erica could get to her, Matt swept her legs sending her to the floor. Her knife went skittering across the broken boards and Matt's big knee came down on her neck.
"Dare me now, bitch!" He snarled and pressed down. Erica gasped and shoved up on him with all she had. It was just enough send him back down to the floor. She jumped to her feet and put her boot square into his ribs. He coughed and curled up to protect himself. She threw another kick and caught him in the arm. His hand shot out and grabbed her foot. The redhead staggered and backed up right into the blonde's waiting arms. Pinned, Erica could only watch as Matt regained his footing and walked over to her.
He didn't say a word, just hauled back and belted her, closed fisted, in the jaw.
He may have been drunk and dumb but he hit like a truck. Erica rocked slightly then growled tasting her own blood she stared malevolently at him.
"HEY!" A voice came from behind them all. Tanya roared a sound Erica didn't know she had in her and flew at the big redneck, spearing him square in his bruised ribs. He made a sound like a tire deflating and staggered backward into the far wall.
"Don't you EVER fucking touch her!" The little brunette growled and grabbing both sides of his head, gave him a vicious head butt. Matt sagged and finally slid down the wall. Tanya smirked and dropped the hair she'd managed to rip out of his head as he fell, and then cocked back kicking him with everything she had in the groin. "Stupid, mullet wearing, redneck, fuck!"
Behind her she heard Erica talking. Taking one last look at the groaning man on the floor she turned her attention to her friend. Erica had the blonde pinned down on a table, her boot knife positioned snugly at the blondes jaw line.
"So we're done huh?" Her friend was saying. The blonde looked to be crying but she still wouldn't drop it.
"Get off me…" She grumbled bravely but her eyes told something different. "Fucking ring rat whore." Tanya heard Erica suck in a deep breath, and then she backhanded her. The blonde squeaked and jerked sending a glass to the floor.
"I'm a whore huh?" Erica laughed and brought the blade up quickly along the curve of her jaw. "Now I'm a whore you'll remember." She let go of her.
The blonde was too horrified to move even as Erica wiped her blade off on her shirt and turned to walk away.
"I think it's time to go." She chuckled walking past Mark and hurried, taking apart her cue, and shoving it back into its case. "Where are Ash and Adam?" Mark pointed to a table not terribly far away. Tanya glanced at the look on Erica's face and nodded, wandering over to retrieve the rest of their entourage.
"That was something you pulled there, baby girl." Mark giggled snatching up his jacket off the back of a chair and following her out the door.
"Nothing new here." She shrugged and packed her cue away on the back of her saddle.
"Come here." He said taking her hand and pulling her to him again. "First off, you dropped this." The big man smiled and dropped her pocket knife in her hand.
"Aw… thanks. I love this knife. I thought it was gone that time." She smiled wryly and hooked it back against her right hip where it belonged.
"And second…" He continued running a hand through her hair before leaning down and kissing her more passionately. His hand slid down the side of her face and she jerked.
"Jesus! That guy had fists like cinder blocks." She poked at her swelling jaw with her index finger. "Great, that's gonna leave a mark." She shuffled her feet. "And to top it off, that was such a buzz kill." Mark laughed outright and wrapped her tight to his torso.
"How bout we find a store and some liquor of our own and go back to your room. Maybe we can keep you out of trouble that way." She could tell he was smiling and nodded against the rumble of his slight drawl in his chest.
"What the hell happened!" Ash yelled flying out the door toward them. "I was playing cards, I missed the whole thing!"
"Someone said something about you and I thought I should defend your honor." Erica said seriously.
"What?" The auburn haired woman yelled. "Who? I'll kick her bar ho ass!" Erica glanced at Tanya as she walked over and gave her an appreciative nod. Tanya returned it. Both women knew this little girl would fit in just fine.
"Actually, someone just flew off the handle." Mark corrected her, his green eyes flashing playfully at the woman still hugged snugly against his body.
"So now what?" Adam yawned and stretched. "Hey, did you know she can work a game of poker?" He pointed at Ash. She blushed.
"So that's your hustle huh?" Tanya grinned. "I saw you play pool. I knew that couldn't be it."
"Hey, I'm better than most people out here!" Ash retorted flashing Tanya a look of false hurt.
"So…plans?" Adam asked again.
"Well now, that depends on baby girl here." Mark started. "It depends on what she wants from me since she won again."
"Hmmm…" Erica muttered as she pushed off his chest and stood back to take in all of him. "Let's get out of here." She suggested and walked over to her bike, folding the kickstand and kicking over the engine.
"Where are we going?" Adam asked but still managed to find his way to his bike to follow her.
"Back to the motel. I think I'm unfit to be in public right now." She laughed, her hand unconsciously rubbing her sore jaw.
"We're all going back?" Ash asked skeptically.
"Yeah, these guys need a place to crash tonight." Erica said. "Let's go. I want to find a liquor store on the way."
"Alright then, let's roll people." Tanya said kick starting her Sportster and walking it up to Erica.
The rest of the group followed suit and before long, everyone was back on the highway.
The five of them made their way safely from the bar to a store and back to the motel and went inside.
"Aw…it looks like my friend Jacinda isn't here." Tanya pouted as they passed the empty desk.
"She probably quit." Ash chuckled. Erica nodded and made her way upstairs and unlocked their door.
"C'mon in guys, home sweet home." She said wearily. Everyone but Mark complied.
"There's something I wanna say to you." He sounded almost nervous as he shut the door in front of them.
"Go ahead."
"For as long as I can remember, my brother and I have had this running joke. I always said that I'd marry the first woman who met three criteria."
"And?" She pressed as he hesitated.
"Well, I said I'd marry the first woman who rode a bike, could beat me on a pool table, and could drink me under a table." Erica wasn't sure but she thought he was blushing.
"And you're telling me this…why?" She grinned.
"You've got two out of three so far, baby girl. I'm just giving you fair warning." He chuckled. "You match me shot for shot and I'm gonna have to keep you."
"What? Bar fighting doesn't win me brownie points?" She smirked walking forward to put her arms around his waist. The big man chuckled and kissed her on top of the head.
"Don't give me ideas girl." He teased then lifted her chin so he could reach her lips. "Let's get inside and see if you're really my soul mate, shall we?" Erica slapped him playfully on the chest and opened the door.