“She’s layin’ on my bed.Once the cream is on her back, she has to let it dry and be absorbed by her body.Her clothes can’t touch it because it will wipe it all off and not work.I can tell she’s havin’ bad muscle spasms today,” he answers, picking up the empty drinks as he talks.
“She comin’ back out here?”I ask without thinking about everyone around me.
“I don’t know.I’m hopin’ she goes to sleep.Wren’s exhausted and won’t say anythin’.She didn’t really get any sleep in the hospital with everyone walkin’ in and out of the room at all hours of the day.If she falls asleep while waitin’ for it to dry, I’ll bunk with Zach or the room we were gonna put her in,” he says before walking away.
“You gonna claim her, Judge?”Gramps asks me and I turn my attention to him.
“Nope.Fucked her once and that’s all she gets.No one gets with me again,” I tell him honestly because he knows my rule when it comes to women.I’ve had the same one for as long as I can remember and have never once broken it.
“You’re gonna miss out on someone really great.I hope one of these other fuckers claims her and you have to see her happy every damn day,” Gramps tells me before looking at Fury.“You’ve gotten closer than anyone else to her.Don’t let her slip away.”
“If I thought she was interested in me at all, I wouldn’t hesitate to make her mine.I really like Wren and respect her,” Fury admits and I can see the truth of his words in his eyes.This is the first time I want to beat the fuck out of him over a woman.We’ve shared girls in the past and it’s never been a problem.“Personally, I think she’s hung up on someone else who can’t get out of his own way.”
Standing up, I leave the table before I do something I’ll regret.Walking outside, I head for the closest picnic table and sit on top of it.Rage consumes me with the thought of Fury and Wren together.I want to see Fury happy no matter how that looks.He deserves nothing less than that.However, when I think of him with Wren, I can’t control the urge to beat the fuck out of him.
“You want her,” Death states, joining me at the table.“You and Fury don’t ever fight.You’ve had an argument or two over the years, but that’s about it.When he just admitted that he’d be with her if she wanted him, I saw straight murder fill your eyes.You want to beat the hell outta him over Wren.Why can’t you just admit how you feel, Judge?”
“You know how we grew up, Nolan.Our parents were absent and Mom raised us alone when she was around.Gramps spent more time with us than they did.I’m the fuckin’ President of this club and don’t have time to give an ol’ lady and kids.I spent my childhood takin’ care of Brice and you.I don’t regret those years and wouldn’t change a single thing about that time.You know that.At least I hope you do.Now, I’m busier than ever and know I won’t have the time to give a family of my own,” I tell my brother as he looks at me with mixed emotions.
“Do Brice and I look like we’re missin’ out on anythin’ with the club, Braydon?We both still work, go to church, go on a run if we have to, and are still there for our families.You are the President and can assign anyone you want to go on the runs while you stay home more than usual.Don’t abandon them completely, but if anyone can find a balance in life, it’s you.Bray, Brice and I always looked up to you when we were kids.You seemed to have all your shit together regardless of if our parents were around or not.
“You played sports, did great in school, took care of us, became a Prospect for the club, and still had time to spend with women on a daily basis.Brice and I graduated because of you.You kept our asses in line when you should have been actin’ like a teenager yourself.You’ve given up so much of yourself for us, the club, and everyone else.When are you gonna take the time to live your own life?I just met Wren and I can already tell Bronwan and Kelsey are gonna love her.If you’re not gonna step the fuck up, move out of the way for Fury or someone else.I know Fury won’t really cross that line because you are his best friend, but it doesn’t mean one of the other guys won’t take that chance with her,” my brother says as we sit in the sun away from everyone else.
“I love my life, Nolan.I spend time with the guys, fuck who I want when I want, see you guys when I can, and have the best nieces and nephews.Gramps is still kickin’ to make our lives hell with his ornery ways.We all get our stubbornness from him.And I do live my life, Nolan.Just because it doesn’t look like yours or Brice’s doesn’t mean I’m not happy and livin’ how I want,” I tell him, still not willing to admit to anything else.
“Keep tellin’ yourself that, Big Brother.I can see how full of shit you are.You’re not happy.You’re exhausted.The Rebels won’t leave you alone and you don’t want them.If I had to guess, I’d say you haven’t been able to fuck anyone since the night you were with Wren.Now, you’re thinkin’ you can fuck her again to get her out of your system and move on,” Nolan says as if he’s reading my mind.
“How the fuck do you know that?”I question him, confusion filling me.
“I thought the same thing when I fucked up with Kelsey.Was in the same head space as you are now about not wantin’ an ol’ lady or kids.She already had a son and that was a sign I didn’t need to be with her.At least that’s what I thought in the beginnin’.When I found out she was carryin’ my baby, somethin’ inside me switched and I still didn’t want to be with her.Thought she could do better or some shit.If you’re not careful with Wren, you’re gonna lose her.Not necessarily to another man, but youwilllose her.She’ll leave you behind and you’ll spend the rest of your life wonderin’ what could have been with her.You need to really think about what you want and if she’s worth it.Fight for her, Bray.Don’t let her go because you’ll fuckin’ regret it the rest of your life.And I’ll tell you now, if she plans on leavin’ Briar Glen like we were just told before I came out here, I’ll get her to come to Braedon with us.And I won’t let you near her again,” Nolan tells me as I turn to look at him.My brother is serious about this and I know he’ll truly keep me away from Wren if she moves to Braedon.
Before I can reply, Death leaves me sitting alone.He walks around the side of the clubhouse and I know he’s going to check on his kids.Kelsey went out back with Bronwan so they could play and run out their endless energy.What the hell is everyone seeing when they look at me?Yeah, I was watching Wren, but this is the first time she’s been in the clubhouse and now it’s filled with our club and Lash’s.In the next few days, there’s going to be even more people here as we all prepare to say our final goodbyes to Razer.I wanted to see how she handled so many people being around her.Some people don’t handle crowds very well.Make it a large group of bikers, and some individuals can’t tolerate being in the same area as they are.Especially women who are alone.Granted, Fury, Demolition, and Vulture won’t allow anything to happen to her, but she doesn’t know that.Wren has no idea how club life works and what it means to be under a member’s protection.
I remain outside so I don’t have to watch Wren with the Prospects or anyone else inside.A few men join me outside and stand around in small groups talking.No one approaches me or says a word.Tristan walks over with a fresh beer before moving on and handing out drinks to everyone outside.I want to ask him if Wren is back in the common room, but I keep my mouth shut.For now, I’m content to be alone and not worry about anything going on inside.In a while, I’ll head back in to see my family, but that’s it.At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Chapter Eleven