To Betray A Brother by G.W. Gibson Read Free Book Online

continued to repair her broken chain, not acknowledging her. “I was angry, and you happened to be there, and well….I realised later it wasn’t your fault. It’s just…”
    He looked up at her and shrugged. “I was just trying to help save you some grief.” Bryce turned his head, “Hey! Russell,” he called. “Get me the pliers.”
    Penny looked at him and smiled. ”You mean to tell me Russell knows the difference between the tools you have laid out on the seat?”
    “If he’s of a mind, he will.” Russell jumped up onto the seat, grabbed something, jumped back down, and sauntered to where Bryce squatted. He turned his head and looked at Penny, his manner clear as he showed her he did indeed have a pair of pliers in his mouth. Russell dropped the pliers into Bryce’s waiting hand, received a pat, looked again at Penny as if to say “so there ” and returned to his position beside Bryce’s bike.
    “Look, I just want to apologise for what I said the other day. I realised afterward I acted unkindly, not to mention downright unfairly,” continued Penny, trying hard not to be impressed by Russell.
    The last clip slid into place as Bryce replied without looking at her. “I’ll give you some free advice. I don’t know what Justin Byrne has told you. My experience has been whatever Justin says you can bet the only person who will benefit will be Justin.” He gathered the small handful of tools and walked over to his bike. Penny could not help notice the leopard-like grace with which he moved. Watching Bryce quickly became mesmerising, his every move a dance step. He placed the tools on the seat, returned, flicked the BSA off the centre stand, held the bike out, and looked expectantly at Penny.
    “Oh yes, of course.” She shook her head, grabbed the bike, and sat on the seat. Bryce squatted behind the bike and made some final adjustments to the chain.
    “Done. You should get home now.” He stood up. “Tell you what, why don’t you follow me until we get to town?”
    “That would be great. Thanks,” replied Penny. “I don’t even know how to thank you for this.” Putting the bike on its stand, she stepped forward and gave him a hug, gratitude extinguishing her earlier anger.
    “No thanks required,” he replied, stepping back from her embrace.
    Penny put on her helmet and started her bike while Bryce packed up his tools. His bike fired into life with a roar, and Russell jumped up onto his seat. Bryce pulled beside Penny, sunglasses again hiding his eyes. He turned to her. “It’s the rule. You never leave another rider stranded on the side of the road. Let’s go. If your bike starts to play up, flash your lights, and we’ll pull over.” Without waiting for a response he accelerated away.
    * * * *
    Penny fingered the stem of the wine glass in her hand, looking through the red wine reflecting on the day. She flicked the laptop open and tapped the video record button. “Well, girl, you seem to have the knack, don’t you? The knack for falling for the biggest losers and creeps on the planet. This morning the world was at your feet. The prospect of spending the day with a charming man, and who knows from there? Only Price Charming is really Prince of the Leeches!”
    She paused, sipping her wine. “God, it almost ripped out my gut to see him sprawled out with that woman. I wanted to just break down and cry right there. I am not going to give the bastard the satisfaction of seeing me cry. And if that wasn’t bad enough my bike had to break down in the middle of freaking nowhere. Who the hell have I upset to deserve this?” Her smile reflected back at her through the screen, “And then, just when I thought things could not get any worse, Bryce comes racing out of nowhere to be the hero of the moment.” Defeated, she rested her head onto her open hands and sat staring into the camera for a moment. “I have no idea what any of this means other than right now all men are bastards.”

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