Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
But this had been the first time I’d actually been tempted, and that was enough for me to take a chance. I gave them both a nod and stood. “Thanks, brother. I’ll stay there for a bit and let you know.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll get out of your hair. Just remember I’m here if you need anything.”
“Meet me at the Vault tonight at six,” Creed ordered. “I’ll show you around and get you on the calendar.”
“I’ll see you then.” I turned and started for the door but stopped when a thought came to mind. “One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“You got any suggestions on where to take someone out for dinner or something?”
“Ah, so now we know why he’s looking to stick around.”
“Don’t go and make me change my mind before I even get my foot through the door.”
“Ah, come on, now. I was just fucking with ya,” Creed teased. “What’s this girl like to do?”
“Don’t know much about her. Know she’s a librarian at an elementary school, and she has two boys. That’s about it.”
“Well, you could go for a ride out to the lake, or if you want something more active, you could try a game of Top Golf. They have drinks and decent food.”
“Don’t think I’m the golfing type.”
“Don’t have to be. You just gotta hit the ball… That’s the fun of it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“If you want to try something a bit safer, there’s always 42 Bar and Grill. It’s got good food and drinks with a decent view of the water, and Southern Tail Brewing is damn good, too.”
“I’ll keep ‘em in mind. Thanks.”
I stepped out of Preacher’s office and pulled the door shut behind me, closing a little harder than I’d intended. It rattled something inside me, stopping me in my tracks. I inhaled a deep breath as I ran my hand roughly down my face, my fingers catching my beard.
The clubhouse suddenly felt different. It had the same walls, same worn floors, and even the same hum of voices and movement throughout. But it carried a weight it hadn’t been holding before.
I was staying.
Staying.
The word didn’t sit like I’d hoped it would. Neither did everything that came with it. A home, a routine, and people who expected you to be there tomorrow and the next day and the next. And keeping promises and forging friendships. That was what brotherhood was all about.
Hell, even the thought of getting that close to anyone again made my chest tighten. Throw in the fact that I was actually considering going on a fucking date. I had no idea what the hell I was thinking. I had no idea how to do this kind of shit anymore. I didn’t have it in me to open up and let someone see the past surface without it all going sideways.
And then Preacher’s voice drifted back into my head, steady and sure. “It’s time you find your peace, brother.”
“Yeah,” I muttered under my breath as I started down the hall. “I’m working on it.”
That didn’t mean it wasn’t going to be a rough road getting there. But I was going to try. But first, I needed coffee. I made my way down the hall, and as I got closer to the kitchen, I could smell the dark, bitter brew, and it made my mouth water.
I rounded the corner and found Grim sitting at the table with Goose and Memphis, and from the looks of it, they’d been there a while. The table was covered in empty cups, dirty plates, and wadded-up dirty napkins.
Grim was the first to look up, and a slight grin marked his face as he said, “Well, look who decided to join the land of the living.”
“Morning to you, too.”
Goose snorted, and Memphis gave me a quick chin-up, greeting me with silence. I poured myself a cup of coffee and walked over to the table, sitting across from Grim. He leaned back in his chair as he said, “So, the word is, you might be sticking around for a while.”
I shook my head, and a low chuckle slipped out. “Damn, you boys waste no time, do you?”
“Hell, no,” Goose snickered. “This place runs on gossip and bad decisions.”
“Lots of bad decisions,” Memphis interjected. “And mostly his.”
“Hey! I do believe you’ve had your fair share of them,” Goose whined. “Weren’t you the one who thought you could kill the weeds out front with bug spray?”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, ass-wipe. It worked.”
“Only after you got the blowtorch after ‘em, and that cost us not one, but two trees.”
“You really want to go down this road?”
“No, actually I do not.”
“That’s what I thought.” Memphis scoffed, then turned his attention to me. “So, you really thinking about staying?”
I took a drink of my coffee, letting the heat hit the back of my throat before answering, “Said I might be around for a bit. That’s it.”