Beth shuddered. “No, I’m good.”
Dean laughed again, quickly drawn into a conversation with the others at the table. The youth group was planning a weekend trip to donate their services to rebuild a church that had been destroyed by a tornado. It was an enjoyable lunch with at times serious topics; the lunch crowd in the restaurant began to thin out. It was then Beth noticed the table in the corner against the back wall. Razer and two of his buddies sat watching their table.
“Beth!”
Lily drew her attention. “We are going to go to the movies then go to Charles’ for dinner. We need to finish a power point for class tomorrow.”
“Ok, take the car.” Beth reached into her purse and pulled out her keys.
“We’ll drop you off first.” Lily protested.
Beth glanced at her watch. “No, it’s in the opposite direction, you’ll miss the start of the movie. I can walk, it’s not far.” In fact, when their parents were alive they used to walk it every Sunday, weather permitting.
“I would offer you a ride, but mine is in the shop.” Dean said rising. “Ladies, thanks for allowing me to join you. Beth, I will be by one day to pick up the boxes for the charity drive. Call and let me know when it is convenient.” When he picked up the ticket for the table, Beth protested. “Allow me.” With a wink he ignored her and said his goodbyes. All the time, Beth was conscious of Razer’s sharp gaze on her.
“We better be going.’ Lily and her friends got up, but Lily walked to her sister giving her a hug. “I will be home by ten.”
“Finish your project. Don’t worry about the time, but remember you have school in the morning.” Beth smiled at her, mischievously glancing at Charles.
“I will.” Lily just stared at her. She was wearing a pale lilac dress with lace at the borders. It was soft and flowed to her knees. She looked like a model. Beth got a lump in her throat, reaching out to give her hand a quick squeeze. Beth would often touch her, noticing others close to her made excuses to do the same. Beth didn’t take offense knowing they did it for the same reason; to reassure themselves she was still within their reach. Women who had less beauty and had made fortunes with their looks could not compare to Lily. It wasn’t only her physical beauty that drew everyone in the room’s eyes, but her gentle spirit that shone in her face. Charles walked up taking Lily’s hand hurrying her towards the door.
Beth watched them go. Lily and Charles had grown up together. In fact, he lived just a couple of houses down from them. He was just as protective of Lily as she was, if not more so. He had loved Lily since he had first seen her introduced in her parent’s church. Beth saw him place an arm around her shoulders as they went out the door; Lily casually moved away. Lily didn’t return his feelings, she never would.
Beth left the restaurant feeling the bikers gaze on her back. The walk home would help exercise off the chili cheese fries she had for lunch. She hadn’t gotten far when a shiny black monster of a truck pulled up next to her.
“Want a ride home?” Razer asked. The look on his face plainly saying he expected her to refuse.
“Yes.” The voice in her head asking what the hell she was doing was squashed firmly. She was done being intimidated by them. Yesterday, their behavior had been kind and Beth was not going to repay them with snobbery. Beth moved to the other side of the truck; the man with the tattoos wearing sunglasses was expressionless as he jumped out; helping her into the front seat before waiting until she slid over to the middle of the seat before getting in next to her, firmly shutting the door. Razer waited for her to buckle her seatbelt before moving back into the light traffic.
Beth self-consciously pulled down the cream skirt of her light dress covering her thighs that had become exposed when she had slid into the truck.
“I live down Pine. It’s just…”
“I know where it is.” Beth nodded. “That’s Shade, and Train in the back.”
“Hello.” She turned to look back at each man as they were introduced, receiving a nod from each. Beth guessed the one wearing the sunglasses was Shade, every time she had seen him he had been wearing them on the only part of his body she was beginning to think wasn’t tattooed. Beth wondered nervously who decided on their nickname.
“What’s so funny?” Razer asked, seeing her smile. Deciding to be honest, Beth confessed. “I was just wondering how you decided what your name was, if you decided it or someone else.”
“Depends.” Razer answered.
“On what?”
Razer shrugged. “A lot of things, usually because we are good at something.”
“So because Shade wears sunglasses, he was given that name.”
“You think I am called Shade because I wear sunglasses." Beth felt his body shake in laughter next to her. Beth was confused by their laughter.