“Sasha?”

  “It’s me,” Sasha’s voice streamed through the phone. “Everything went fine.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m about twenty miles outside the city. I should be home by first dawn.”

  “All right, good.” Ellen slumped against the wall, the knot in her chest unraveling. “Wake me when you get here.”

  “Okay. Later.”

  The line clicked, and Ellen squeezed the receiver. A dial tone blasted in her ear, humming in its steady tone. “Love you, baby,” she whispered, hanging up the phone.

  Her heel dug into the floor, and she turned toward the backroom when a motor revved. She marched to the front door, grabbing a shotgun from the pool table on her way. When spotting Otis, his arm around Sasha’s favorite trucker slut, she chuckled.

  “Hey.” Otis dropped a grease-soaked paper bag on the nearest table. “I brought food.”

  “Nice.” Ellen set down the gun, stepping toward Candy. “What happened to your face, darlin’?”

  “Oh.” Candy darted her eyes to the floor. “I might’ve upset my mama.”

  “It don’t take much with that woman.” Ellen pointed to the bar. “Why don’t you flip on those neon lights and call some of the girls? Let’s get this place rockin’.”

  “Hell yeah,” Candy said, the clack of her heels filling the room as she hurried to the bar.

  Ellen shifted her gaze to Otis then strolled into the backroom.

  “I gotta take care of some business, babe,” Otis said, glancing at Candy.

  Candy waved her hand while gabbing into the phone, and Otis followed Ellen, shutting the door.

  “You got that look on your face.” He walked to the end of the table, leaning against the solid wood. “Did something happen with the run?”

  “No. Sasha called a bit ago. It’s all good,” Ellen said, keeping her eyes low. In a minute, she’d play Otis like a fiddle, and he wouldn’t catch on until after she got her way. Unless she looked into his eyes. Then he’d spot the guilt in her stare.

  “It can’t be all good.”

  Ellen snaked across the room, placing her palms on Otis’s chest. “The VP chair is gonna need to be filled now that Chewy’s in the ground.” Her hands wandered down, and she unbuckled his belt.

  “You want me to be VP?” Otis asked, his smile spreading wide.

  “Oh honey,” her fingers grazed the soft yet hard flesh inside his jeans, “you’ve been my VP for a long time. The title’s symbolic. It doesn’t actually mean anything.”

  Otis clutched the sides of Ellen’s arms and positioned her so her back was against the table. His hands slid to her hips, and he lifted her atop the glossy surface, sliding her leather skirt up.

  “So you’re fucking me.” Otis twisted his fingers into Ellen’s hair, thrusting himself inside her.

  A moan pushed passed Ellen’s throat, trailed by a chuckle. “Looks like you’re fucking me.”

  Otis ran his tongue up Ellen’s chest, along her neck, and to the soft spot behind her ear.

  “Whatever it is, I got you.” He slowed his pace, hands coasting down her back. “I always got you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Sasha

  Sasha reached into her backpack, pulling out a joint. Tiny bells clattered from the passenger seat, a hint of patchouli floating on the breeze. The scent brought back fuzzy memories. Arms holding her tight, a kiss on the forehead, her father’s smile.

  “You have some awesome tunes in here,” Misty said, picking through a case of eight-track cartridges. She popped out Def Leppard and slid in the Allman Brothers. “Yes!” She smiled, bobbing her head to the beat. With her bare feet propped onto the open window, she reached for the joint.

  Sasha tensed up when Misty’s palm slithered along her skin. Tingles followed the light touch then it was gone, along with her joint.

  “What’s in D.C.?” Sasha asked, her stare alternating between the road and the skirt riding up Misty’s thigh.

  “Things I haven’t seen yet.” Misty took a long, slow hit, her face scrunching. “Your grass tastes funny.”

  That didn’t stop her from taking two more hits before passing it back.

  “I put coke in it,” Sasha said between puffs.

  “Cocaine?” Misty drew her legs into the cab, crossing them underneath her body. “No wonder I feel so wired. I wish I could dance. There are so many stars out here, in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Hold on a second.” Sasha slowed the truck, turning down a dirt road in between two cornfields.

  “What are you doing?” Misty asked, an edge of panic trembling her voice.

  Airbrakes whooshed, and Sasha shut off the engine, leaving the radio on. “I wanna show you something.” She cranked the volume up and opened her door, climbing onto the steel running board. “Slide over here.”

  “Okay.”

  Sasha helped Misty out the truck, balancing on the grated step. “Climb up this ladder, careful for the exhaust. Those stacks are hot.”

  When they got on top of the trailer, Misty gasped. She lifted her arms at her sides and tilted her head back to look at an endless abyss of twinkling stars. “Wow! This is amazing.” She twirled, her skirt fluttering out. “This must be what Heaven looks like.”

  “Yeah.” Sasha sat down, leaning on her elbows. A beautiful woman swayed and floated atop her favorite truck, an infinite supply of sparkles to brighten the silky blackness beyond. “Heaven,” she said in a long, drawn-out breath.

  Giggles, jingles, and flowing cloth melded so well with the faint music. Sasha slipped a joint from behind her ear, twisted it in her fingers, and then popped it in her mouth.

  “You’re like magic, Sasha.” Misty knelt down, her eyes shimmering in the zippo’s flame. “Is this what it’s like to be with you every day?”

  “Ha.” A puff of smoke trailed Sasha’s snicker. “No. That would be more like…The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

  Misty giggled, swiping the joint. She drew deep, inching closer. Her eyes drifted to a close, and she dipped low, blowing smoke into Sasha’s mouth.

  “Come dance with me,” Misty whispered, her lips grazing skin.

  “No way.” Sasha leaned back, shaking her head. “I don’t dance.”

  “Everybody dances.” Misty shoved the joint into Sasha’s mouth, tugging at her arm. “C’mon.”

  Sasha allowed herself to be guided up. Starlight cast a gentle glow, adding a silvery tinge to Misty’s long blonde hair. This moment did feel like magic. The numb haze that swelled from every joint’s hit, a melodious beat hanging in the background, and a beautiful creature on her arm. Magic. Sasha forced the burdens from her mind, making room so music could flow in.

  Before the smile left her lips, she fell under the rhythm of tambourines and guitars. Her hips swung, hair blowing in the breeze. A laugh rolled freely from her chest, and Misty pulled her close. They twirled in each other’s arms, alone beneath a million twinkling lights.

  ***

  Ellen

  “Vinny! As VP.” Otis buckled his belt, glancing up as Ellen hopped off the table. “You got something going with Dez?”

  Ellen readjusted her skirt, lit two cigarettes, and handed one to Otis. “Not me.”

  “What’s the angle?”

  “Sasha and Dez are pulling away from each other. This’ll bring them closer together, give them something to relate to.” Ellen sat in her president’s chair, looking up at Otis. “They’re hatred for me.”

  “I don’t understand why you give a shit.”

  “Because I need Sasha tame, levelheaded.”

  Otis snickered, sitting on the table in front of Ellen. “And you think Dez can do that?”

  “Maybe. He’s the only person who’s ever backed her into a corner before.” He smirked, dropping his head to one side.

  “Besides me.” Ellen ashed her cigarette, taking a long drag. “If Dez don’t get them reins on that girl, she’s gonna end up with her fingers in your tall stack of redhead out there.”

  A grumble left Otis’s mouth as he crossed his arms. “I’ll get Kev onboard, but I’m gonna tell you straight up. If this shit backfires and we gotta pick between those two brothers, Dez is going in the cellar.”

  “Agreed.” Ellen nodded, managing to quash half the grin from her lips.

  ***

  Dez

  Dez sat on the porch of the clubhouse, stretching out on the bench. So far, five carloads of people had crammed into the clubhouse, a full-blown party erupting within. Every one of those jokers stopped and smiled at him on their way to free liquor, spouting shit like, “Hey, Dez!” and “What’s up, sarge!” They all knew his name, face, but he couldn’t point them out if he tried.

  The music died out between songs, and his brother’s voice took its place in the night air. Dez leaned forward, propping his elbows on the rail. Vinny strolled down the hill, a curvy blonde tucked under his arm. They walked up the steps, and Vinny stopped, turning toward Dez.

  “I’ll catch up with ya.” Vinny slapped the girl on her ass, and she giggled before trotting inside.

  “Waiting for someone?” he asked, walking in front of Dez.

  “You.” Dez sat back, pulling a flask from his inner pocket. “I don’t know anybody in there. All my friends from the old days are dead.”

  “Oh wow.” Vinny leaned against the railing, his brow raised. “So it’s a pity party, then.”

  “Fuck you.” A smile cracked Dez’s lips, lasting only seconds. “Sasha said something about Mom splitting on you?”

  Vinny groaned, sitting beside Dez. “Yeah. I came home one night and her shit was gone. Of course, I went running to Sasha ‘cause she…always knows what to do.”

  “Is, umm…” Dez dropped his gaze to the shining flask in his hand. The concept was too stupid to think, let alone look someone in the face while voicing. “Is Sasha a dyke?”

  “What?” The bench wobbled as Vinny jolted back, shifting against the armrest. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Some shit Ellen said.”

  “Ellen,” Vinny muttered, shaking his head. “You know I heard you having sex with Sasha, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did she seem like a virgin to you?”

  “Fuck no.” Dez chuckled.

  “And I’m sure she went down on you.”

  That broke Dez’s smile, triggering his fist to curl.

  “I’m just saying,” Vinny lifted his hands, as if pleading innocence, “she has some skills that no dyke can master.”

  The words soothed Dez’s mind and riled his temper at the same time. “Yeah, all right. I get it.”

  “So you done feeling sorry for yourself?”

  “Yeah, I am. Asshole.” Dez took a swig from his flask before stashing it away.

  “Good. Let’s go shoot some pool.” Vinny got up, glancing back as he headed for the clubhouse door. “You woman-stealing bastard.”

  “Aw. That’s harsh, little brother.” Dez rose from the bench, walking toward the sound of cackles and booming speakers.

  ***

  Sasha

  Sasha barreled down on the gas pedal. Only two hours had been lost to fun, and she could easily make that up by driving a hundred miles per hour. She looked to the passenger seat, catching a glimpse of Misty’s smooth skin in the passing streetlights. In a little while, this beautiful distraction would be gone. Her real life waited four hundred fifty-four miles away, ready to sucker punch her in the gut. Nothing could stop that, not even Misty with her haunting eyes and jingling bells.

  “We just crossed into Maryland.” Sasha kept her gaze straight ahead, though she felt the woman beside her slink closer. “Where should I drop you at?”

  “The next rest stop is fine,” Misty said softly.

  A bitter taste rose in Sasha’s throat. Ugly visuals filled her mind, all of them ending with Misty being gangbanged in the back of a trailer.

  “How long have you been hitching?” Sasha asked.

  “A few days, maybe a week.”

  The sour sting turned to a full churn, and Sasha shifted in her seat. That girl had no idea what kind of trouble awaited a sweet, young woman on the big open road. “You know, most of the truckers I’ve met are pretty…dangerous.”

  “I know,” Misty said with a snicker. “It’s been intense, but I just wanna see new things before I have to go back to school.”

  “Where’s school?”

  “Ohio State. The first two weeks were a total bitch, so I ducked out. I’m almost ready to go back. I just need a few more days to decompress, take in as much awesome as possible before the establishment converts me into another Ikeman.”

  “Have you ever seen the mountains of Kentucky?”

  “No!” Misty twisted to face Sasha, bouncing to her knees. “What do they look like?”

  “Steep. The rocks sparkle when the sun hits ‘em just right. In the spring, there’re flowers on the trees. Pink, purple, white pedals raining to the grass. Now the leaves are turning so at sunset it looks like the hillside is lit in flames.”

  “Wow!” Misty sank back into her seat, keeping her gaze locked on Sasha. “That’s where you’re from, Kentucky?”

  “Yep. Down in a holler.”

  “A holler?”

  Sasha smirked. It had been so long since she had an actual conversation with a non-club member. She’d have to tone down the mountain-men lingo. “It’s a flat spot between two peaks. I don’t know why they call it that. I think the old hillbillies used to yell out and listen to their own voice echo off the cliffs. There ain’t much to do in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Unless you have a backpack full of joints and a Mack truck.”

  “Yeah. That sure does help.” Sasha glanced over, caught by the upward curve of Misty’s lips. The steering wheel vibrated, and she darted her eyes ahead. “I, umm…” Her fingers drummed the side of her leg, left foot tapping. “I have a run to Ohio next week. If you wanted to, you could crash with me for a few days and I can bring you back to school when I hit the road.”

  “Really? That sounds far out. Kentucky, here I come,” Misty said, cranking the radio up and dancing in her seat.

  Sasha grinned until her mother’s face flashed into her mind. Then she thought of Dez, most likely curled up in her bed. This was the worst time for company. Her mother would blow a gasket, which would be hilarious until it wasn’t.

  That’s when she reached into the backpack and fished out another joint. Her gaze wandered to Misty, and she plastered on a smile. It’ll be all good. A little bitchin’, maybe a slap. It’ll be like an average Tuesday.

  ***

  Dez

  Dez eyed the eight ball, leaning down to take his shot. A hip bumped his side, and the tip of his pool stick nicked the cue, sending the white ball rolling along green felt.

  “Ha! I win,” Vinny said.

  “Son of a bitch!” Dez slammed his fist on the table, turning toward the asshole who just fucked him out of a hundred bucks. A woman backed away, her bright green eyes growing wide.

  “Oh my God. Dez! I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz. Here.” She thrust her beer into his hand. “Peace, mercy, or some junk.”

  Dez chuckled, giving the beer back. “It’s cool, uh…”

  “Candy. I’m,” her head tilted to the side, “Otis’s girl,” she said, her voice raised as if posing a question.

  “What happened to your face?” Dez lifted his hand to Candy’s bruised cheek, and she pulled away.

  “It’s nothing. My mama gets ornery. Say, was it hard to get used to the outside? You know, after being away for so long?”

  “What?” Dez asked, trying but failing to hold back a hard glare.

  “I’m sorry, it’s just…My dad’s away, upstate, and I wonder what he’ll be like when he gets out.”

  Dez stared at the timid girl who nibbled on her lip while twirling her fiery red hair. A forbidden fruit, Otis’s maybe girlfriend. Dez looked at Vinny. The open-mouthed gawk and grim stare should’ve been enough to ward him away, but it only piqued his interest more.

  “Why don’t we cop a squat?” Dez draped his arm over Candy’s shoulder, ushering her toward the couch. “Talk a little more.”

  ***

  Ellen

  Ellen belted out a laugh, setting her bottle on the bar. She turned from the group of men, still chuckling, and scanned the clubhouse. Her smile dropped, muscles tightening. She watched Dez wrap his arm around Candy and stroll toward the sofa, shooing a couple away.

  Her eyes locked on Vinny, who was leaning against a pool stick with a dumbass look on his face. The levels of annoyance in her body spiked. She pushed through the crowd, stepping beside Vinny.

  “What the fuck is this shit?” she asked, joining Vinny in his gawk.

  Vinny shrugged without tearing his glare from Dez. “I don’t know. It was weird. They bumped into each other and just started talking.”

  “About what?”

  “Stupid shit. Not…her or anything.”

  “This could go sour,” Ellen said, cringing as Candy laughed under Dez’s arm.

  “I know,” Vinny said, his foot tapping the wooden planks. “But if I drag him out of here, he’s gonna know something’s up. Where’s Otis?”

  Ellen peeked over her shoulder then turned back to the scene on the couch. “At the bar, shootin’ the shit with a few locals.”

  “I could start a fight.” Vinny curled his fingers into a fist, glancing around the room. “That guy in the corner looks shady.”

  A snicker brought Ellen’s anxiety down a notch, and she patted Vinny on the back. “That’s why I love ya, kid. You know what? Fuck it. Let’s get a drink.”

  “But—”

  Ellen took Vinny by the arm and pulled him toward the bar, pool stick and all.

  Chapter Twenty-One