“Dez, are you guys alright? What happened?”
This psycho son of a bitch in a jacked-up pickup nearly took us both out. We just, I need Riley and we both need a break.
“Okay, I’ll let James know. I don’t know how far away the next one is.”
That’s fine. We’re taking a moment on the side of the road. We’ll catch up to you at the rest stop.
“Shit, okay, be safe.”
We were the ones being safe, it was the blind fucker in the god damned truck that wasn’t paying attention to other vehicles on the road!
The strain in Dez’s voice came through loud and clear this time, and Zakk wished they’d never gotten it in their heads to make the drive on those bikes, especially when James had a trailer attached to the back of the RV where the machines could easily fit side by side.
“Deep breath. I know you’re rattled, but are either of you hurt?”
No. Just really shaken up. Winter almost ditched it. We’re both shaking. We need a smoke before we get back on. We’ll catch up as soon as we can.
“Okay. Let me tell James what’s going on,” Zakk said as he headed for the front of the RV. The others were on the edge of their seats, eyes glued to him, and he cut them a look, trying to convey that hewouldexplain just as soon as he made sure James didn’t miss the next rest stop. Still, he could practically feel their gazes boring into his back.
“Hey, have you seen a rest stop sign?” Zakk asked as he poked his head through the curtain dividing the cab from the back.
“Eight more miles, the next one after it is thirty-two, why?”
“Need you to pull into the next one. Dez and Winter had a scare. Dez is on the phone. They pulled over and they’re taking a moment to collect themselves then they’ll be back on the road. They’ll meet us at the rest stop. They aren’t hurt, but they need a break.”
“No, what they need is to load up those machines and get their asses in here for the rest of the trip before they do get hurt!” James snapped. “The darker it’s gotten, the harder these fuckers have been hitting the gas. It’s like speed limits don’t exist to these bastards!”
“Pretty sure you heard that,” Zakk said to Dez when he returned the phone to his ear.
There was a moment’s pause, then the sound of something high-pitched zipping by.Tell him we’ll load up when we catch up, and to be on the lookout for a tiny sports car that’s got to be doing ninety dodging in and out of traffic, it just flew by.
“Okay, James said the next exit is eight miles from where we are, we’ll pull in there and wait for you.”
Thanks.
Dez ended the call, and it was only then that Zakk realized his own hands were shaking and Damien was looking up at him with concern in his eyes.
“What exactly happened?” Damien asked.
“From the sound of it, they got run off the road and nearly hit by a truck that either wasn’t paying attention or didn’t see the bikes in the dark.”
“I see. Have they finally come to the realization that it would be best they end this bit of folly before someone gets hurt?”
“Yeah, thank the gods,” Zakk said. “They’re going to load up the bikes once they catch up with us, but Dez wants you guys to be on the lookout for a small sports car that’s speeding and playing leapfrog in the lanes.”
“I’ll thank him for that later, once he’s safely on board,” James said.
It was obvious the others heard his half of the conversation, all of them trying to talk over one another to ask questions when he rejoined them. Finally, he held up his hand, bringing their tangle of words grinding to a halt.
“They’re going to load the bikes when we get to the rest stop,” Zakk informed them, watching the relief creep into each of their faces. Tripp was fidgeting, Tavis kept glancing out the window like he was searching for them, while Riley had his fingers dug into the back of his hand, nails beginning to leave impressions.
“But they’re okay?” Tripp asked.
“Physically, yes, they aren’t hurt, but they’re rattled. Dez sounded inches away from a meltdown, so we might want to roll a few for when we have them on the RV.”
That was all he needed to say to get Riley to pull out the stash box and a rolling tray, papers already laid out from the last time.
“Do us all a favor,” Tavis said, looking directly at Tripp. “Don’t give either of them shit about anything once they’re in here. Was bad enough they were trying to ride at night in the first place, don’t need them storming back out onto the road pissed.”