The Word of a Liar (22 page)

“The afternoon at my cottage, when Mason and I were playing cards, I mentioned I had a friend named Pete Miller. Mason said Pete was the foreman of his crew. Yesterday I ran into Pete, and he told me Mason didn’t work at the mill. He quit about two months ago. I asked him if he knew where Mason worked now, but he had no idea. The day Mason quit, he told Pete things were finally starting to work out for him. He hasn’t seen Mason since. For some reason, Ellen, Mason’s lying about what he does. And from the sounds of it, he’s been lying ever since the two of you met.”

A clammy dampness crept up Ellen’s back. Her hands sweat yet tingled with cold. She maintained eye contact but blinked back encroaching tears. Distracted thoughts cluttered her head causing her temples to pound. She felt sick. She needed air.

“I’m sorry to tell you this. I’m not trying to sabotage your relationship with Mason, but I thought you ought to be aware. Maybe there’s a simple explanation. Who knows?”

Ron smiled feebly.

Ellen nodded. Before she spoke, she had to consider her words. She hated this man right now, so she needed to maintain control. She swallowed.

“I appreciate your concern, Ron, but Mason told me months ago he’d quit the mill. He hated shift work.”

She forced a smile.

“I don’t know why Mason said what he did; perhaps he was ashamed to tell you. Men are so prideful when it comes to how they earn a living. I’ll talk to Mason about it. We’d better get back, don’t you think?”

Ellen stood. Amazed her Jell-O knees were keeping her upright, she wondered how she was going to be able to walk back to the gym without Ron noticing her emotional state.

Ron looked at her, his face red with shame and surprise. “Wow…. Don’t I feel like a horse’s ass? I’m sorry. I should have known you knew.”

“Don’t be.” Ellen cocked her head confidently. “You were trying to be a friend. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her voice sounded even and controlled. She bit her bottom lip to keep it that way.

As they walked back to the gym, Ellen’s heart roared in her ears. All those days Mason claimed to be working overtime or double shifts—where had he gone? What did he do? Why did he lie? Pressure built in her chest; shock made her blood run cold, and confusion muddled reason. She could not cry. She needed to maintain control so that when she looked into his blue, hypnotic eyes she would not be fooled.

***

The gym was almost clean when they returned. Ron left her to help a teacher find her car keys. The only students still in the gym were Mandy and some of her friends and Tess who stood next to her father helping him take Halloween decorations off the wall. Mason didn’t immediately notice Ellen; when he did, he approached cautiously as if he knew what Ron and she had been discussing.

“Are you okay?” He placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her slightly so she had to look him full in the face.

She swallowed. “I’m fine.”

His close proximity began to unravel her self-control. Rage filled her heart. She wanted to smash her fists against his chest and demand the truth.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He grinned that infuriating bad-boy grin.

“It wasn’t a ghost, more like the devil in disguise,” she said and folded her arms across her chest to keep distance between them.

“So what did this marauder get caught doing?”

“He lied to me about being somewhere, and Ron found out about it, so I called him on it.”

“Did he fess up?”

She couldn’t bear to look into his eyes a second longer, she dropped her gaze. “No. Not yet. But I’m hoping he will. That’s the worst thing about my job… I have to sift through so much bullshit in order to get to the truth.”

Ellen looked up, rocking back on her heels. “I despise liars, don’t you?”

Their eyes engaged for battle
. He knows, damn him! And yet he plays the innocent.

“Yes.” It sounded like a hiss. “I can’t stand it when someone lies to me. But maybe there’s a good reason for the kid to lie. Maybe he’s protecting someone else. Did you ever think of that?”

Ellen dropped her arms to her side and cocked her head. His proposed strategy fed her heart a morsel of hope. Perhaps there was a simple explanation for his deceit. She exhaled, looking up at the caged lights buzzing like a dentist drill.  She dabbed the corner of her eye.

“I think the only person he’s protecting is himself. I hope I’m wrong.”

Mad Dog interrupted. “Hey, you two love birds. What do you say we get the hell out of here and get our asses over to the Ritz?  The party’s got to be in full swing by now. We’re the last two here, Rambo. All the other brothers have gone.”

Mad Dog paused, his eyes traveling from Ellen to Mason. His dark brows collapsed on one another.   “You two weren’t arguing, were you?”

“No. What gave you that idea?  Ellen was telling me about the student she just caned in the office,” Mason said, laughing, but Ellen remained stoic.

“Well, after that you must need a good stiff drink of whiskey to settle your nerves. Come, Madame Principal. I’ll buy you your first drink.” Mad Dog hugged her shoulders.

“I’m not going to the party.” Ellen looked down. “I’m tired. Mason can go without me. I trust him completely.” She couldn’t resist the dig.

“What do you mean you’re not going? You have to come. You’re the guest of honor. If it wasn’t for you, Sons of Thunder wouldn’t have done this. Rambo, talk some sense into her.”

Mason sighed and shook his head.

“Come party with us,” Mad Dog begged. “I don’t know what’s wrong with this sorry excuse for a biker, but everyone wants you to come. You can’t let your great outfit go to waste. Think of Tess. She’s been looking forward to driving JD home in your new car.  And besides Tess has already spent the money she figures she’ll earn babysitting JD.”

Mad Dog squeezed her shoulders tighter. “Come, for my sake.”

Ellen looked at Mason. “Do you want me to go?”

“Of course I want you to go. Why wouldn’t I?  You deserve a night out.” He reached out but let his hand drop. “Let’s go and have a good time. Its Halloween night! Everyone pretends to be someone they’re not. Tomorrow morning we’ll take the masks off.”

“Promise?” Ellen jerked her chin up.

Mason nodded.

Ellen turned to Mad Dog and smiled. “I’ll go if I can ride with you, Mad Dog. I trust you more than I do Mason.”

CHAPTER Twenty

Ellen checked the office door a second time. Locked. This being her first extra-curricular activity as principal, she wanted no mistakes, especially regarding building security. She popped the lock on the handle of the entrance door and stepped out into the night. For reassurance, she pulled the handle and then turned to face the street. Mason’s Sportster, tethered to the curb like a chrome stallion, waited. In her periphery she saw him, sitting on the stoop.

“Where’s Mad Dog? I thought I was riding with him?”

Mason sighed. “He’s gone.”

“But I thought—’’

“We need to talk, Ellen.” Mason patted the concrete step.

Ellen spun around. Unleashing her anger, Ellen stormed over to Mason.

“Why did you lie?” she screamed, stomping her foot on the frosty pavement. “Do you know how foolish I felt—how betrayed—when Ron told me you didn’t work at the mill?”

Mason’s brows converged and his nostrils flared as if he were in pain. He started to speak but stopped.  He bowed his head and dangled his hands over the cliffs of parted knees.

Ellen turned her back on him and walked over to the curb. The sorrowful look on his face had put a crack in the hard anger simmering in her heart. She exhaled, watching her breath escape in a frosty cloud.

“Damn Mad Dog! I wish he would have waited for me.”

She swiped her gloved fingers across her eyes to stop the tears.

Mason approached from behind. He tugged on her elbow. She turned to face him.

“I was a mill wright,” Mason said softly. “I hated the daily grind and the shift work. Even though it was a good position in the mill, I took a job at Fortunate Son’s Auto Sales.”

“You’re a car salesman?”

Mason shook his head. “No. I’m an errand boy for the owner, Jack Nelson. You met him at the rally.”

“I remember.” Ellen cocked her head, not quite believing what he was telling her. “Jack didn’t seem very stable. Why would you want to work for him?”

“Jack’s got a temper, but he pays really well and every day is different.  He sells expensive import cars, so his clientele is very upscale. I drive the cars to his clients or drive the cars Jack buys to the dealership.”

Mason stepped in closer to Ellen and continued, “Sometimes I go and check one out to see if it’s a car Jack would be interested in. That’s what I’ve been doing when I’m away for long periods of time.  I’ve had to go to Vegas and LA. My only regret about quitting the mill is that when I went on those road trips I couldn’t take you with me. I was too afraid to tell you the truth.”

Ellen shook her head and sighed.

“I still don’t understand why you lied. I don’t care what you do for a living, Mason. I don’t need someone to take care of me financially. JD and I get along.”

“It was a pride thing, Ellen.”

“Pride thing?”

“Yeah.” Mason pointed a gloved finger at her. “You’re too damn independent.”

Ellen lifted her brows. “Are you suggesting my financial well-being intimidates you?” 

“The way I was raised, the man should be the major bread winner. Call me a chauvinist, but that’s the way I feel. I can’t help it. And you…. You’re educated and smart. You’re a principal of a high school for God’s sakes!”

“And that upsets your precious male ego?” She frowned
. There is no way I intimidate this man
.

Mason looked down. “I’m glad Ron told you. It’s a huge relief. I hated lying to you.”

Mason took her hand like a man proposing. “Forgive me?”

Ellen straightened her shoulders and then briefly looked away from his eyes that looked as forlorn as an abandoned puppy in need of rescuing. Mason took hold of her chin and brought her gaze back to his.

Ellen sighed.
He looks so sincere. So god damn beautiful.
She shook her head.

“I’ll forgive you this time, Mason, but don’t ever deceive me again. Okay?”

Mason nodded. “I promise.”

***

Men clothed in denim and leather regalia packed the Ritz tavern. Huddled around the heavy oak bar, the ominous Sons of Thunder colors decorated their backs. The din of deep male voices and the high-pitched laughter of women snuffed out the howl of a blues melody playing on the jukebox. Mason squeezed his way into the tavern. The hot, close air sandwiched his body as he turned to help Ellen off with her jacket. She looked lost. As he pushed his way through the throng, Ellen seized the back of his vest, reminding Mason of JD clutching the back of her blouse, fearful of losing her.  A woman stumbled and shoved him sideways.  His vest went slack. The crowd moved him forward. Finally he found an opening and side-stepped the mob. He searched for Ellen but didn’t see her.  Then he spotted her near the entrance. She must have been going to leave, but Road Tramp, the club’s treasurer, had her cornered. Mason fought his way to the door. He was almost there when he heard Road Tramp sneer.

“Black Widows? Never heard of um.”

  “You’re looking at one,” Ellen shouted.

“A woman’s MC?  That’s a bunch of shit!”

Ellen’s hands went to her hips. “I suppose women aren’t tough enough to ride a motorcycle. Well, try giving birth, dumb ass!”

Mason grabbed for Ellen’s arm, but someone got in his way. He saw Road Tramp’s eyes narrow into angry slits, but Ellen, unaware of the dangerous situation, continued her assault.

“Do you know why Black Widows ride alone?”

Tramp shook his head.

“After mating, she kills the male. So I’m warning you, don’t ever touch me again!”

Road Tramp stood dumbfounded, but then his thick eyebrows moved upward and he burst out laughing. His yellow stained teeth leered from under his chest length goatee. “You are a feisty little bitch, aren’t you? Rambo sure goes for women with a bite.”

Mason snatched Ellen’s arm and thrust her into an adjacent room. A woman wearing denim shorts and a black tank top which read “My place is on his face”
sat spread eagle on the edge of a pool table. Men standing at the opposite end took shots at the center pocket. Ellen stared.

“What’s the matter with you?” Mason shouted above the noise. “You go off on a brother like that and I’m going to get a good beating for not being able to keep you under control.”

“Do you see what she’s doing and what it says on her top?” Ellen asked in a shocked whisper.

Mason leaned closer. “I noticed. Her name is Wild Cherry and don’t ask.”

“Does she always play pool like that?”

Mason’s eyebrows moved upward. “She’s being tame. Wait until the party really gets started.”

Ellen looked at the woman again and then at Mason. Her eyes narrowed. “What did you mean about keeping me under control?”

“That man you were picking a fight with is our club treasurer.”

“I wasn’t picking a fight. He grabbed me and then started making fun of my patches. I suppose you’re going to tell me that in your bad boy club only men are allowed to defend themselves?”

Ellen’s dark eyes snapped with indignation.

“You need to remember where you are. Road Tramp is a good guy, but when he’s had too much to drink, he can be dangerous.  If someone messes with you, tell me and I’ll take care of it.”

“If this place is so dangerous, why did you and Mad Dog want me to come?  You know damn well I don’t fit in here.” Ellen pointed over at the pool tables. “I have a little more self-respect than to let guys shoot pool balls into my crotch, or is that the kind of woman you want me to be?”

“I swear, Ellen, sometimes you can be so god damn frustrating. All I want is for you to have a good time.”

“I am having a good time. It felt good to tell off that hairy ape.”

Mason chuckled and then stepped closer, pinning her against the wall. “You know it’s good for the soul to let your hair down occasionally. So tonight, stop worrying about what’s an appropriate way to act. No one here is concerned about keeping up appearances or school board policy.”

Mason smiled.

“It’s Halloween! Pretend you’re not a principal. Forget you’re a mother whose kid has autism.  Be Ellen. Beautiful ….”

He kissed her.

“Smart....”

He nibbled on her earlobe and then nuzzled her neck.

“And sexy as hell in that outfit.”

He looked at her for a moment and then brought his lips to hers, devouring the soft warmth of her mouth. Intoxicated by the enticing dance of their tongues, he pressed against her leather-clad breasts. She ran her fingers, donned in fingerless gloves, through his hair and then down his back, simultaneously rubbing her thigh against the crotch of his jeans. Her mad spell of desire made him irrational. He’d take her now if he could.

“I see the two of you have obviously kissed and made up,” Mad Dog interrupted.

Mason looked up.

A sly grin spread across Mad Dog’s black stubbly beard. “I thought Ellen chickened out and had you take her home, but then I ran into Road Tramp. He told me where to find the two of you. By the way he’s carrying on, I’m afraid he isn’t very impressed with your colors, Ellen.”

“Mad Dog, why’d you have to tell her that? Now she’ll be all riled up again.” Mason sighed.

“I’m not riled up. I’ve totally forgotten that man’s derogatory, male chauvinist remarks.”

“Really?” Mad Dog’s eyebrows rose. “How very decent of you.”

“I’d like to think so.” Ellen smiled smugly. “But I think Road Tramp’s skull would fit very nicely in my web.”

“Now you sound like a biker!” Mad Dog laughed. “Come on. I owe you a drink.”

“You owe me more than that, sir!” Ellen pointed out.  “Hasn’t anyone ever told you women don’t take kindly to being ditched?”

“When did I ditch you?” Mad Dog asked.

“At the school. You were supposed to wait for me so I could ride with you instead of this smooth talking gigolo.”

Mad Dog put up his hands as if to ward off some evil spirit. “I’m not going to touch that with a ten-foot pole.”

Mad Dog glanced at Mason.

“Mad Dog wasn’t going to take you to the Ritz,” Mason said.

Ellen put her hands on her hips. “And why not?”

“Because you’re my girlfriend, and, in my world, a biker doesn’t mess with another brother’s woman unless he wants to get the shit kicked out of him.”

“You’d do that? But Mad Dog is your friend.”

Ellen’s brows knit together. Mason knew her indignation was mounting, but she needed to learn her place.

“I’d do it!” he said empathetically.  “And the other brothers would be right there with me. If I had given Mad Dog my permission to take you, well, that’s one thing. But I didn’t.” 

“Wait a minute! I want to get this straight. Because I’m your girlfriend, another man can’t ride me on his motorcycle without your permission?” 

Mason nodded. “That’s right.”

Ellen cocked her head.   “Do you have any idea how archaic that sounds? I can’t believe I’m dating a man that still believes in such an old-fashioned, ludicrous tradition. Are you telling me I’m your property?”

Ellen’s hostile dark eyes upbraided him and then turned on Mad Dog.

“Is he serious?” Ellen asked

Mad Dog nodded.

“Oh my god! I’m calling a cab.”

She fumbled with the leather satchel hanging from her belt.

Mason grabbed her wrist.

Ellen looked back at Mason, her eyes wide with disbelief. She waited to hear his explanation.

“You need to know that the Sons of Thunder follow a strict code of conduct, not unlike the rules of some religions. The difference is that when a brother breaks a club rule, his punishment is swift and painful. We don’t wait for the hereafter: we live in the here and now. Mad Dog knows that. And when you’re with the club, you better respect it.”

“Or what? Are you going to beat it into me?”

Ellen shook her wrist free.

Mason’s patience began to ebb. He’d done all she’d asked of him; now she needed to reciprocate. He continued in a low, hoarse voice as adrenaline quickened his pulse.

“You haven’t known me long, Ellen, but you know I don’t think of you as property. These past two months, I’ve given you more of myself than to any woman I’ve ever been with. I’d doing my damnedest to fit into your world; all I’m asking is for you to respect mine.”

A tense silence followed as the couple eyed each other in a dramatic face-off.

Mad Dog cleared his throat.

Mason had forgotten he was still standing there.

“Come on, you two, lighten up. This isn’t high noon at the Ritz; we’re supposed to be partying. Let’s belly up to the bar. I think we could all use a good stiff drink right about now. I’m buying.”

Mad Dog smiled.

Ellen turned her attention on him.