She put it on, and he helped her with the strap. “It’s fine. Thanks.”
Cole got on his bike, and sat watching them.
Mack swung his leg over his bike, and Natalie climbed on the back. They both fired them up, and pulled out.
They rode along the coast to Monterey and Carmel. It reminded Cole of the time he’d taken Angel on this same ride, so long ago. They stopped for lunch at a place that looked out over the ocean. They ate seafood, and had a great time talking and laughing.
Cole watched Mack and Natalie together. They clicked. Whatever that magic was, that some couples found, they had it. Cole smiled, seeing the effect Natalie was having on Mack. He lit up whenever she smiled at him. Cole supposed that was probably the same effect Angel had on him.
They were sitting at an outdoor table, and had finished eating lunch, and were relaxing, having a beer.
Natalie got up, and excused herself.
Mack stood up.
Cole lit a cigarette, and watched as Mack sat back down. He blew a stream of smoke in the air, and grinned.
Mack looked over at him. “What?”
Cole shook his head. “I seem to remember someone once telling me not to let a ‘damn broad’ turn my head.”
Mack tried to look menacing, but in the end he couldn’t help but smile. “She’s something. Like nothing I’ve ever had before.”
“Yeah. Well, you ain’t ‘had’ her yet, brother.” Cole grinned.
“You know what I mean. She’s different. She’s got class. And she’s smart, and she’s got a great sense of humor.”
“Make a list, why don’t ya?” Cole laughed.
Mack shook his head, and laughed. “Fuck. I guess I sound like a love-sick puppy.”
“That talk about a Leukemia Run, you serious about that or were you just trying to impress her?” Cole asked him, referring to a suggestion Mack had made earlier to Natalie.
Mack looked over at him. “I meant it. I think it’d be good for the club. Do something good for the community, and for your family. Maybe we could call it, Melissa’s Ride.”
Cole just looked at him. He wasn’t sure what to say. He nodded. “That’d be real nice, Mack. Thanks.”
“And I want to involve all the chapters. Make it big.”
“I’m sure the money would help. But what they really need is people willing to be tested to see if they’re a match for donation.”
“What kind of test?” Mack asked.
“Simple stuff. Swab your cheek. Take a blood sample.”
Mack nodded. “We could get everyone on board with that.”
Cole stared at him, dumbfounded. “You mean…everybody?”
“If I say so. Yeah.”
Natalie walked back to the table. She looked from Cole to Mack. “What did I miss?”
“Mack has offered to get the entire club, and all it’s chapters to test for bone marrow donation,” Cole said, locking him in.
“Really?” Natalie asked, her mouth dropping open.
Mack looked at Cole, knowing he had to come through, now. “Yeah. Sure. Why not?”
Natalie squealed, “Oh! Thank you, Mack!” She leaned over, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You don’t know how much this means.”
“I’m gonna need your help to set it up, darlin’.” Mack said as she squeezed his neck.
Cole smiled. Mack had met his match with Natalie. She’d have him wrapped around her little finger in no time.
It was after dark by the time they got back to town. Mack pulled in a little dive bar, and Cole pulled in behind him. They walked in, and sat at the bar. Natalie walked over to the jukebox to play some music.
Cole noticed the way Mack watched her. When she came back, there was a slow song playing, and Mack slid off his barstool, and pulled her into his arms for a dance.
Cole leaned back against the bar, and watched. He still couldn’t believe this was happening. He shook his head, and smiled. Angel would shit. She didn’t even like Mack.
After the first song ended, another one came on. It was ‘Melissa’ by The Allman Brothers. Cole turned back to the bar; this song brought back memories of Angel and another bar.
Mack and Natalie kept dancing.
Cole’s thoughts filled with Angel. How was he going to get her to come to him? He still hadn’t figured that out. He could go out there. Try to see her again. Maybe with Natalie on his side, he could get her to at least hear him out.
Cole felt a hand slide up his back, and turned to look over his shoulder. It was a pretty brunette. No one he