“Half of California used to be Mexico until the White Man took it from your people.”
“And all of the United States was yours until they did the same to yours.”
“What they did to my people…” he trails off, eyes distant. Grabbing the Herradura bottle he fills my glass to the top, gold liquid spinning in iridescent circles. “We have our own laws on the reservation.”
“Got it. And thanks.” Watching him place the bottle back in its home I say, “I’m not one for obeying laws myself.”
“I saw your patch. And your hair. That’s why I thought you were one of us.”
“Understood.” I take a sip.
“Where’s your gang?”
“I’m on vacation.”
His eyebrows rise. “Must be nice.”
“Haven’t had one before.”
“And?”
“Not all it’s cracked up to be.”
A rueful smile tugs at his lips. “The mark of a man who loves his work.”
“And his people,” I raise my glass and ask, “You drinkin’?”
On a shrug he pops a bottle of beer and walks over to clink it to mine. “Name’s Magi.”
I roll it on my tongue, “Majai?” liking the sound of how he pronounced it and having no idea how to spell the damn thing. “I’m Luke, cheers.”
We take a drink, savoring it, and I set my glass down.
He leans against the back of the bar, index finger wrapped around the top of the bottle as he eyes the customers. “Idiots.”
I glance behind me to a couple of guys, mid-thirties, arguing over the pool table about rules of the game. A trashy looking woman is with them, chewing on her hair, half seated on a barstool in a miniskirt that almost shows what color her panties are. If she’s wearing any.
“Must see fights a lot, working in a bar…or is this yours?”
“Mine and my father’s,” he answers, wary eyes on them. “It’s why I’m jealous of your vacation.” Turning his head back to me he adds, “Got my heart set on a beach right now. No plans yet, but soon. Sand, booze, and bikinis, sounds nice.”
Smiling and digging my phone from my pocket I agree, “When you put it that way.” Swiping to answer I motion to Magi to excuse me. “Hey, Tyler, what’s up?”
Ty’s voice comes through as familiar as my own. “Have a job I need your help on. You busy?”
“Now I am. Where?”
“Sedona, Arizona.”
“What is it?”
“Small job, but necessary. Thought you might need something to do.”
“You thought right. Text me an address.”
“Already booked you a hotel.”
“How’d you know I wasn’t busy?”
“I knew if I called you’d drop everything and do my bidding.”
“You’re an idiot.”
He chuckles, “Fuck you, too. Where you at?”
“New Mexico.” I hold my hand over the glass as Magi tries to refill it with more tequila that I no longer need. Suddenly my spirits are rising, and I want to get on the road with a clear head. I watch him put it back on the shelf as I tell Tyler. “Where are you?”
“Farther than that. You’ll beat me there anyway since I’ve gotta make one stop. Got you a nice room, top floor. Sure it’s only two stories, but the room is real sweet. Mom told me about what happened.”
Sucking on my teeth I mutter, “Thanks, but I’m cool.”
“I know you’re cool, now that I set you up in the best room in the place while you wait for me to get there and massage your feet.”
On a grin I say, “Touch me and I’ll teach you a few lessons about personal space.”
He laughs. “I’ll text you the address. You goin’ there soon?”
“What do you care? But yeah, I’ll head over tonight. Hadn’t found a room here yet.”
“It’s after one o’clock in New Mexico!”
“No shit. Are you my mother now? I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye fucker.”
I pull out the club’s card, slide it on the cherry wood counter. “Nice place you have. People like me appreciate you bein’ here.”
He takes the card, moving with the slow confidence of a man who’s home. As he runs it through the machine and rips off the paper, grabbing a pen from a jar crammed with them, I notice the place has gone quiet. There’s only a handful left in here, conversations normal compared to the growling that was going on.
“Looks like your problem left. They pay up?”
Magi hands me the receipt to sign, his eyes on the pool table. “I made ‘em pay cash. Lied and told ‘em no cards.”
“And what if they saw you ringing me up with one?”
“I’d welcome the argument,” he smirks. “You take care out there, Luke.”
“Always do.” I write out a tip for one thousand dollars, slide the paper to him with a glint in my eyes. “Enjoy those bikinis.”
Surprise sparks up and he nods his thanks, probably wondering how a guy like me has that kind of change to throw at a stranger. But people don’t realize sometimes how much a friendly conversation can help a man who needs one, like me tonight. I’ve been riding by myself for weeks, spending nights alone in hotels that would normally have my friends and family in the next rooms. Talk has been scarce, and I’m not one to talk to myself.
I head to my Harley, sliding my leather jacket on and shrugging it into place. It’s a cool night out here in the desert, and I’m going to enjoy the wind in my hair and skip the helmet. Get to see Tyler soon, and I feel good.
“Joey, let go!”
My head whips toward the sound of her pleas. I change course, head around the side of the bar by the dumpsters where the heat has done the air no favors. One of the guys who was causing a stink is wrestling the trashy girl to the ground, and her halter strap is ripped off her shoulder.
“I saw how you been eyeing me all night, Lor!”
“Stop it! Please! Stop!” Her eyes widen as she sees me.
He looks over his shoulder with a sneer, and reacts with surprise as I yank him off her and toss him aside like a rag doll.
