“Let’s go get your tat,” Natasha said, her smile bright, eagerly wanting to resume their friendship.
Beth shook her head. “Not today, I want you girls to go and I don’t think some of you are up to it.” Turning to Razer, “Can you go? I know you’re not anxious to go to a tattoo shop after you just got a new one, but would you mind?”
“You got a new tat? Why didn’t you show us? Where is it at? Your back? Let us see.” Bliss said.
Beth saw the expectant faces in the room. “No one has seen the tattoo?”
The members not understanding, shook their heads.
“Why not? You get a pussy tattoo?” Rider asked in disbelief. Razer turned bright red, taking a crying Beth in his arms.
“Rider, I can guarantee you will never know,” Razer promised.
Chapter 23
Penni heard the distinctive notes of her cell phone ringing as she lay on her bed reading a book. The caller ID brought a smile to her lips. With a swipe of her finger, she answered.
“Hey bro, what’s up?”
“Why does anything have to be up for me to call? Can’t I call and check on my little sister?”
A snort sounded clearly through the line.
“How is school?”
“Good, would have been better if mom and dad would actually let me go without having to live at home.” Penni hadn’t been able to come up with a valid argument for leaving home when they lived within a few miles of the University of Ohio.
“I could help convince them to let you go to an out of state college.”
“What’s the catch?” Suspicion laced her voice.
“It has to be the college of my choice.”
“What’s the name of the college?” Penni was almost bouncing in excitement.
“Breckinridge College.”
“Don’t recognize the name. Let me check it out on the web. Hang on.”
Before he could protest, the phone was set down. It didn’t take long before she came back on the line.
“No thanks.” All excitement was gone from her voice.
“Come on, give it a chance.”
“No.”
His snort could be heard over the line this time.
“What will it take?”
“Car; a generous allowance, and a vacation of my choice every summer.”
“Ok. Do the paperwork; I’ll talk to the parents.”
“That’s not all.” She wasn’t finished.
“Penni…” He warned.
“A reason?”
Silence for several minutes met her question.
“Someone needs a friend.”
That she could do. “Deal.”
Shade hung up the phone as Beth and Lily approached the picnic table he was sitting at, waiting for everyone to return from the buffet.
“Where’s Razer?” Beth asked.
“Getting the drinks.”
The two women sat down on one side of the table with filled plates. The church picnic was filled with the congregation and The Last Riders; celebrating the Fourth of July. It was a beautiful day with everyone laughing and having fun. Everyone except Lily, who had spent the last hour trying unsuccessfully to convince her sister to let her switch colleges.
Razer set drinks down in front of everyone before sitting down next to Beth who promptly gave him her shoulder.
“How long you going to stay mad?” He asked picking up his hamburger.
“At least past that date you had tatted on your razor knif.”
“Still can’t understand why you’re so mad. I thought it would make you happy,” Razer said in his own defense.
“Most women get engaged with a romantic dinner and a ring, not pointing to a tattoo then saying “let’s do it”.”
“No sense in putting it off, with a bun in the oven,” Razer shrugged.
Beth choked on her own hamburger.
“I am not pregnant.” She said to Lily who was laughing at the couple’s argument.
“You will be if we miss that date,” Razer threatened. “Take a drink before you choke to death.”
Beth angrily lifted the paper cup to her lips staring in bemusement at the diamond glinting at her from the bottom of the empty cup.
Beth shakily reached inside, pulling out the beautiful ring.
Razer took it from her, sliding it on her finger and giving her a tender kiss.
“Is this romantic enough?” He asked brushing the tear off her cheek with his thumb.
“It’s perfect.”