Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
It was going to take time though.
“Let’s wrap it. We’ve got shit to do,” Prez announced. “I want you boys on high alert. If something feels off, call it in. I’d rather answer ten false alarms than bury another brother.”
“Understood.”
“And if you hear something, I want to be the first to know about it.”
A chorus of agreement rolled through the room. The meeting broke apart almost as quickly as it had started. Brothers paired off to make calls and compare notes while others left to start their shift at the Vault.
I had some time to kill, so I decided to stop by the kitchen for a cup of coffee. I’d just started down the hall when I spotted Duggar in the family room, sweeping up a mess I had no doubt he didn’t make. The second I started walking over to him, he looked up and grinned. “Hey, man. How’s it shaking?”
“I was about to ask you the same.”
“I’m not even worth asking about. I’m not the one sportin’ a new patch.”
“I’ve had it all of five minutes.”
“Long enough to start giving us orders.”
“Got no orders to give.”
“But you will.”
He was frustrated. It was understandable. He and I had prospected together for the past eleven months, and now, I had a patch, and he still had a broom in his hand. But his time was coming. He just had to be a little patient.
I glanced around the room as I said, “Looks like you’re about done in here.”
“Give it five minutes,” he chuckled. “Somebody’ll make another mess.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tension. He noticed and said, “You’re looking a little rough around the edges, man.”
“Just tired.”
“Figured they’d be taking it a bit easier on ya.”
“Not that kind of tired.”
“So…” He glanced down at the prospect rocker on his cut. “Is it worth it?”
“Every damn second,” I answered without hesitation.
“Even after vomit-tron?”
“Even after.” He let out a defeated breath. “Gotta remember, they’re not just seeing if you can ride or take orders. They’re trying to figure out what kind of man you are. I had to do some of that figuring myself, and there were times I didn’t like what I saw. Worked on it, and things had a way of coming full circle.”
“Hope the same holds true for me.”
“It will.”
He motioned his head down the hall. “Sounded pretty serious in there.”
“It was.”
“So, what’s going on?”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean?” His brows furrowed. “I’m just asking…”
“And I can’t,” I cut him off. “You know how it is.”
“Yeah, I get it.” He looked down at the floor and nudged the broom with his boot. “You’re a brother now.”
“I’m still your friend, and in no time, I’ll be your brother.” I stepped a little closer. “But until then, there are rules in place, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize your patch or mine.”
“I get it... Appreciate you looking out for me.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and tapped one free. “Didn’t mean to put you in a bad spot.”
“I know you didn’t.” Duggar lit his cigarette and took a slow drag, blowing the smoke toward the back door. “We’re good.”
The silence only lasted a couple of seconds before he looked at me with that same crooked grin he always got when he was about to give me shit. “Sooo…”
“What now?”
“What about the girl from the fair?”
“You gotta be kidding me.” I shook my head. “You heard about it, too?”
“You know how it is.” His smirk widened. “These guys gossip more than a bunch of schoolgirls.”
“Yeah, they do.”
“So, what’s the deal?”
A smile crept across my face as I told him, “Turns out I’ve got a daughter.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.” I let out a long breath. “She’s not quite two, and the cutest damn kid I’ve ever laid eyes on… And her mother’s pretty incredible, too.”
“That mean you two are sorting things out?”
“Trying to.” I cleared my throat. “It’s tough trying to make up for lost time. Every instinct I’ve got tells me to move them in with me, take care of ‘em, and tell the whole world she’s mine.”
“That what she want?”
The question caught me off guard. Truth was we hadn’t really talked about it. I’d hoped she wanted the same, but she hadn’t actually said the words. “I would think so… I mean after everything we’ve been through.”
“I’m not saying don’t fight for her,” he said softly. “Hell, fight for her with all you got, but don’t confuse fighting with rushing.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I’m happy for you, man.”
“Appreciate it, Duggar.”
I gave him a nod and stepped out of the room. Duggar was a good man. His words stuck with me for the rest of the afternoon. Fight for her with all you got, but don’t confuse fighting with rushing.
That shit was tough, especially when you were impatient like me. The thought had me reaching for my phone. I pulled up Brooke’s number and texted: