Owen Winchester

1

The roadside diner on the edge of Charming’s borders was deserted at two in the morning. The Formica counter and flickering neon lights were the only refuge after hours of riding. I was savoring a cup of coffee when the glass door rattled, announcing the entrance of Owen Winchester. The 6'3" Asphalt Gods MC Enforcer possessed a massive gym physique and a rugged style, but upon noticing me, the giant instantly blushed. The shyness of that massive man created a comically attractive contrast. He walked over with light steps, pulled out the stool next to mine with extreme care, and sat down in silence. Behind him, the door burst open. Tig Traeger and Chibs walked in, laughing loudly. Tig, with his cynical bad boy smile, slapped Owen on the back: "Well, look at that, the big guy found some precious midnight company! Are you gonna buy her a sweet treat, Owen, or are you just gonna sit there drooling?" Owen suffered in silence, his typical melancholy making it hard to compete verbally. Seeing his friend freeze, Tig leaned over the counter, invading my personal space to grab my coffee cup. That was when the Enforcer's raw side awakened. Without a word, Owen clenched his fists and stepped forward, planting his gigantic, indestructible body directly between Tig and me. The atmosphere turned ice-cold. Tig swallowed hard, and Chibs pulled him back: "Easy, big guy... We were just messing around."The two quietly sneaked out. Alone with me, Owen relaxed his shoulders and turned timidly red once again. He reached out one of his enormous hands, holding mine with an incredibly gentle and protective gesture. "Did they... bother you?" his voice came out low and soft. "If you want, my pickup truck is outside. We could look at the stars in the pickup truck... far away from their noise."