Claiming Sunshine

Claiming Sunshine

By S. E. Leonard

Cover Illustration

By Michelle Epperly

Dedicated to my Husband Scott

Thank you for being my Scooter

Copyright © 2014 Michelle Epperly
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Chapter 1

              “God damn this fucking truck
,
” she said, as she slowly coasted to the shoulder of the highway. After all the begging and nagging, he still hadn't fixed the gas gauge and she misjudged the gas in the tank. The truck was dead.

              She had married him because she thought she was in love, but before she knew it, she was pregnant and stuck. He really didn't want kids, however, she was determined, and pushed him, and he finally gave in. He was never quite what she wanted, but she kept thinking he would get better. He wasn't sweet, he was nice at times, but never too much, always keeping his distance. When she got pregnant the second time, hoping it would bring them closer, he got mad and yelled at her. That was the first time he didn't come home. It was the beginning of many nights like it. It broke her heart every time, but he always had a valid excuse. She did her best to believe that he was on a friend's couch and not in a woman's bed that was giving him what she couldn't. Sex was always quick with him, never tender or fun, more of a job for both of them it seemed. Just the basics.

             
He had found a better paying job here in Vancouver, Washington, and recently moved her and the girls here from Southern Oregon. Thinking it was a step up she was excited. Maybe the new location and having to depend on each other would help solidify their relationship. Instead, the last few months had been a huge struggle, both financially and emotionally. The cost of living was much higher and he continued to pull away from her.

             
She was on her way to a job interview even though he had promised her that she wouldn't have to work. She had surrendered to being in a loveless marriage for the girls if nothing else. She was trapped and rolling over in life once again.

              Digging through her purse, she didn't feel the hard, square cell phone that was usually there. Her mind went back to the laundry room, when she set it on the dryer while she changed loads this morning. “FUCK, now what?” Sitting there, contemplating her options of hoofing it or waiting for a hopefully, nice person to stop and lend her a phone, she heard a motor behind her. Looking in the rear view mirror, she sees a tow truck pull up behind her. She rolls the window down as the man walks up.

             
“Hi, I didn't call anybody for a tow,” she says, poking her head out the window.

             
“Ma'am, I was just passin' by, and saw you sittin' here in this old truck and wanted to see if you needed any help,” he said. She noticed right away that he was wearing a leather vest with patches all over it. He was older, with gray hair and belly. She can't wait for him to turn around so she can see what MC he is with. She feels like she knows so much about the motorcycle gangs from watching Sons of Anarchy, and oddly feels at ease with him.

             
Just then, another pulls up on his bike. What a fine example of a biker he is. Black skull-cap helmet, leather vest, or cut as they refer to it on the show, with the hood of his sweatshirt poking out the back.  He has sunglasses on, and a surprisingly well trimmed goatee. “Hey Charlie, what’s up?” He lowers his shades and winks at her. She stays cool, but on the inside she is freaking out. Just his wink sends her into a tailspin. Without his glasses on, she can see his eyes... ice blue.

             
Swoon.. she thinks to herself, as she looks down to her wedding ring and reminds herself that she is married and this is just a couple nice guys helping her out. She reaches out the window and grabs the outside handle of the driver side door, pressing the button with her thumb to open it. “If one of you has a cell phone, I can call my husband.” She slams the truck door behind her, another thing he needs to fix.

             
“Looks like this old truck has seen better days,” the biker says to her smiling, as he looks her up and down. She feels self conscience after having two kids and not losing all the weight. Digging his phone out of his pocket, he hands it to her and then scoots his bike closer to the shoulder while still straddling it.

             
She dials his number, hoping that he will pick up, and dreading his 'I told you so' remarks about forgetting her phone all the time. It rings and rings. He is either busy at work or doesn't want to bother with an unknown caller. She leaves him a message.

             
“Can you give me five minutes to see if he calls back?” she asks in somewhat of a pleading tone. “Please?”

             
“Of course Sunshine,” he says winking again.

             
Geez, if he only knew what he was doing to her. She paces and then goes back to the truck, opening the door and reaching in for her water bottle.

             
Several minutes go by with no call. She takes a swig of her water bottle and notices that the men, now both on foot, are talking at the back of the truck.

             
Before she can stop herself, she blurts out.“You guys planning a drug run or are you running guns?” Oh shit, she thinks to herself. Just because you watch the show,doesn't make you an ol' lady you dip-shit.

             
They both swing their head to look at her and the biker starts towards her in a slow stroll. She sees his name on his cut, vest, whatever she is supposed to call it. 'Scooter' her eyes trail quickly to his face as he lifts his glasses. “What does a sweet lady like you know about drugs and guns?” The look on his face is serious.

             
Fuck, the thinks to herself. Why do I have to say whatever comes to mind? “I'm sorry. I am just your typical suburban mom that watches Sons of Anarchy, and I think I am all bad ass. I will shut up. Here's your phone, I don't think he is going to call back.” She hands his phone back.

             
“You don't have anyone else to call?” he asks, forgetting about the drugs and guns comment for the moment.

             
“No we just moved here. Do you have a gas can in the tow truck?” she asks Charlie.

             
“Oh, are you out of gas? I thought you were broke down, Sunshine. We have a gas can, but it's empty,” Scooter tells her.

             
“I can wait here if you can go put some gas in it for me. I would appreciate it,” she says handing Charlie a twenty dollar bill.

             
He waves his hand at her. “Don't need any money, ma'am, and don't feel right just leaving you here. Why don't we hook your truck up and tow you to our shop. We have a few full cans there, and I can take a look at that gas gauge for you.”

             
Scooter pipes in, “Don't think I forgot about your drugs and guns comment.” He winks again, and unhooks a helmet from the bar on his bike and walks over to her. “How about a ride Sunshine?” he says handing her the helmet.

             
Holy shit, she thinks to herself, taking the helmet and looking down at it. “What about my purse?” She motions towards the truck.

             
“It'll be fine, we'll be right behind it.” He slams the truck door and puts her helmet on her, adjusting it, and clipping it for her. “Now it's time to put your money where your mouth is,” he says, throwing a leg over his bike and patting the seat behind him. Meanwhile, Charlie has pulled in front of the truck and is hooking it up to the tow truck.

             
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she murmurs, as she slides on behind him. What was Sam going to say about this? “You do know that I am married with kids, right?”

             
“Yeah, Sunshine. Didn't know you had kids, but you look damn good for being a mom. Just thought after that Sons of Anarchy comment you made before, I would give you a ride with real life MC President. Not sure if you want to mention it to your ol' man though, he might not like it. Shoulda answered his fuckin' phone,” he says trailing off.

             
Grabbing her hands, that are politely placed on his hips, he wraps them around himself. “Hold on Sunshine.” He revs the engine, and they are off.  Turning his head to the side he tells her to lean with him on the turns. She nods tucking her face into his back to avoid the wind. She had ridden on the back of her brother's motorcycle a few times, years ago, but she always had a face visor, this was so different.  She can smell the leather from his vest and his cologne. It smells like heaven. The bike is loud and muffles out the surrounding traffic noises. As they follow the tow truck into the garage lot, she feels the vibration of the bike and tightens her grip around Scooter's waist. She can see the grin on his cheek. “Almost over, Sunshine,” he says, patting her hand.

             
She is confused by what she is feeling. Being so close to him and her arms wrapped around him. She keeps second guessing herself, if this is all in her mind, or if there was really something there?

              She watches as Charlie puts a few gallons of gas into the truck. She thanks him again, trying to hand him money and he waves it away. “Just helping out. No need for money sweetheart. I didn't catch your name.”

             
Just as she is about to answer, she feels him walking up behind her. She tries to casually turn her head and make sure it is him. Her hair flies into her mouth and her casual shift turns into an awkward untangling of hair and lips. “Let me get that for you, Sunshine.” He takes a finger and gently puts her loose hair behind her ear. It takes her breath away and she can feel her face going bright red. Ahh fuck, she thinks to herself. Isn't this great?

             
She turns quickly back to Charlie. “My name is Nikki,” she says, trying to divert the attention from her red face.

             
Scooter steps up. “You don't mind if I still call you Sunshine do you?” She shakes her head and fumbles with her keys.

             
“Thanks again for the gas and the ride. I will tell all my friends back home and I am still contemplating telling Sam, my husband, about my time with the MC boys.” She smiles at them and starts towards the truck. “I might be able to make my second interview since you guys got me back on the road so fast.”

             
“Interview for what?” Scooter asks, stepping towards her and her old truck.

             
“Job interview. Sam says I need to get a job since our rent is more here than it was back home, so I have been dropping the kids off at school and applying for jobs all week.” She hoists herself up into the lifted 4x4.

             
“Hey  Georgie.” Scooter calls over to one of the mechanics with his head and shoulders under a lifted car.   Georgie rolls out from under the car and lifts his head towards them. “Aren't we looking for someone to take over the office?” Georgie nods and rolls back under the car.