Shaft SBMC Maryland - Erin Trejo Page 0,1

breath and motions for the guy in the truck. I watch as he climbs out and moves to the back, grabbing the cinder blocks and jack. I clap my hands together as he walks toward me.

“Am I taking one or all?” he asks looking up at Gauge. He shrugs and nods toward me.

“All and then toss the fuckers in the ocean,” I tell him. I watch the prospect get to work on the tires as I stumble my way back up onto the curb next to Dezzy.

“Have I told you you’re my best friend?”

She laughs. “A few times and you’re welcome,” she adds.

“You two are gonna cause more trouble than you’re worth,” Shaft adds. I glance over and flip him off as I roll my eyes.

“Why are you here?” I ask getting annoyed with his mere presence. Dezzy laughs, Gauge chuckles, but Shaft? He moves closer to me, annoying me further before throwing his arm over my shoulder.

“‘Cause you requested my manly services.”

“I wasn’t aware that you acquired the manly status yet,” I say raising an eyebrow.

“Damn, the dirty way you talk to me. It turns me on Temple.” I blow out a breath and watch the prospect do his thing.

Two

Shaft

She has annihilated that car. She’s still scratching at the paint when the prospect finishes with the tires. It’s almost amusing.

“So, what did he do?” I ask as I casually lean against the building.

“Cheated on me,” she says under her breath before stepping back and looking at the work she’s done. She cocks her head to the side looking at the car before looking up at me. “You should know all about that.” I snort.

“That’s pretty stereotypical of you, isn’t it?” She smirks and takes a step away from the car before moving toward the building. I watch her lean there, watching me intently.

“That’s a big word for you,” she giggles to herself.

What the hell does she think? That I’m dumb? I move toward her slowly, stopping when I can rest my hands on either side of her head. I cage her in, looking in her eyes.

“Why do you women always think that men are stupid? Huh?”

“Most of you are.”

“Yeah, most but I’m not most. Don’t go thinkin’ that you can talk to me like that, darlin’.” She stares into my eyes, her face slowly softening until she bursts into laughter. I shake my head shoving away from her before I stalk toward my bike. There’s something about Temple that turns me on yet pisses me off. I saw her the first time when Dez was in the hospital and she’s come around the clubhouse since then. She’s cute, long dark hair that hangs to her waist. Perfect length for pulling but she’s always a little off if you know what I mean.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to laugh,” she says following along behind me.

“Drive her ass back to the clubhouse,” Gauge says pointing at Temple. I shake my head and climb on my bike ignoring his words. “Wasn’t a question, Shaft. Drive her ass. She’s drunk.” I curse under my breath before holding my helmet out to her.

“I’d rather walk,” she says taking a step back.

“Don’t make this worse than it already is. Get the helmet and get your ass on the bike,” I growl. Temple rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue with me. She grabs my helmet, pulls it on, and climbs onto the back of my bike. She wraps her arms around me and holds on tight. I don’t know if I like it or I’m annoyed, but either way, I rev up the bike and pull away from her masterpiece, heading back to the clubhouse. This is going to sound insane but women are not on my mind right now. I’m sort of in the same situation as Temple right now except I’m not the cheater in this picture.

We get to the clubhouse and everyone heads inside. Sly called church so that’s where I head. Taking my seat, I run my hand over my face before grabbing a cigarette and lighting up.

“Why do you look so pissed?” Sly asks pulling my attention.

“I’m not.”

“Yeah you are. I can see it in your eyes.” I blow out a ring of smoke and shake my head.

“You ever want to keep somethin’ that you shouldn’t?”

“This about your girl?”

I nod slowly as the other guys come in and take their seats. There was a time that I didn’t give two shits about having a woman. I could have any woman I