Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to hear it.”
He shook his head and scoffed, “Not saying a word.”
“You don’t have to. I know what you’re thinking.”
Memphis and I were close. He knew everything. He knew how deep the scars went. He also knew how I felt about Davis. “Just making sure you’ve thought this thing through.”
I didn’t answer right away. I took a sip of my coffee and stared at the empty space where Davis’s truck should’ve been. “Guess that’s a no.”
That was the thing about Memphis.
He only pushed when he needed to and pulled back when he knew I was too close to the edge. And never once, not a single damn time, had he ever made me feel stupid for hoping that things would get better. He nudged my arm as he asked, “Where’d he say he was working?”
“Factory downtown.”
“You check it out?”
I felt the question settle heavy in my chest. It would’ve been easy to make a call or have Shep look into it, but I hadn’t taken the time. “No.”
“You don’t think that’s something you should look into?”
“I’m giving him a chance, Memphis. He deserves that.”
“Giving him a chance doesn’t mean ignoring the red flags.”
“I’m not ignoring shit.”
“You are, and you know it.” He leaned against the rail. “You haven’t spoken to the guy in years, and then, he waltzes into the Vault like it was no big deal… like the two of you haven’t been on the outs for as long as you could walk. What the hell was that?”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to remember that your brother has a past. A long one. A deep one and opening up the clubhouse to him is no small thing.”
It wasn’t something I hadn’t considered.
Hell, it weighed on me to the point it was damn near crippling.
Davis had fucked up more times than I could count, but I couldn’t help but be hopeful. He’d looked good last night. Sounded good. And he seemed like he actually wanted to make things better between us.
I’d been waiting a lifetime for that, so I told him, “He’s my brother.”
Memphis didn’t look at me like I was stupid. He didn’t try to talk me out of it. He just nodded, like he understood where I was coming from.
There it was.
That right there was the reason we weren’t just friends. Memphis wasn’t blood, but he’d been there for me through thick and thin. He understood why this was so important to me, but he also knew my decision came with risks.
“I get it. I’d do the same damn thing.”
“I’m going to have the prospects keep an eye on him. I’m hoping he won’t fuck up, but if he does…”
“We’ll know about it. Good you’re on top of things.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll play the rest by ear.”
When Davis finally pulled into the lot, Memphis stood there beside me, steady and unwavering. As always, he was ready to deal with whatever came next.
Brother.
Not by blood.
But in every way that mattered.
Davis’s old truck rumbled into the parking spot like it barely survived the drive. Memphis straightened his back, watching intently as Davis killed the engine and hopped out. He had brought Presley with him, but she stayed put as Davis started over to us.
He forced a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes as he told me, “Morning, Bub.”
“Morning.” I motioned my head to my side. “Davis, this is Memphis. He’s one of the brothers and a damn good friend of mine.”
“Good to meet ya, Memphis.” Davis extended his hand. “I appreciate you boys letting me hang with you for a few days.”
Memphis shook his hand, easy as ever, but I saw the guarded look in his eye. If anything, the man was protective. “No problem. We’re glad to have ya.”
“I’ll grab my stuff.”
Davis stepped back to the bed of the truck and grabbed his backpack, then immediately started back over to me and Memphis. Presley opened the passenger door, and when she stepped out, Davis didn’t even look at her, much less speak to her. I didn’t know what the man was thinking. Presley wasn’t the type to ignore. Not unless there was a reason.
“It okay if I throw my stuff in my room?”
“Yeah, I’ll take you,” Memphis answered as he reached back and opened the door. “It’s right down the hall.”
Davis nodded and followed without so much as glancing back at Presley. Something was off. I just couldn’t figure out what the deal was. She lingered by the truck with her arm wrapped around herself like she wasn’t sure if she should follow or bolt.
I smiled as I started over to her and asked, “How ya making it today?”
“I’m hanging in.” She shrugged. “How about you?”
“About the same.” I walked over and glanced in the truck as I asked, “He got any more bags?”