“Thanks, dude,” Chains said.
Shaking his head, Crow added, “I’ll pass.”
After lighting the joint, Chains turned to Crow. “You interested in getting a dog? Autumn has a cute-as-fuck mutt that was left in the backyard of her clinic. She’s looking for someone to give it a good home. I thought of you seeing as you’re awesome with Thor.”
“Thor’s the best. I’m not around enough to have a dog just yet. I’ve been working crazy-ass hours the last few months, spotting a bunch of the brothers in all the club’s businesses.”
“The club girls and some of the brothers will help out. They were great with Thor when I lived here.”
“The thing is, I’m thinking of getting my own place.”
“No shit,” Goldie said, his eyes widening.
“When did this come about?” Chains asked.
“It’s just something I’ve been considering, that’s all.”
“You didn’t mention it last week when I was telling you about the houses we were looking at,” Chains said.
Shrugging, he looked away. The thought of moving out hadn’t crossed Crow’s mind until he’d said it. When the words spilled from his mouth, it shocked the hell out of him, but now the idea was growing on him.
Living at the clubhouse created a real sense of camaraderie among the brothers, which was one of the reasons Crow had stayed for as long as he did. After his divorce, the brotherhood banned around him, and moving into the clubhouse became his cocoon, his safe haven from the bitterness and hurt his ex’s betrayal had caused. But now, it was time to move on.
“Moving out of the clubhouse is bittersweet,” Goldie said. “I miss the noise and the brothers. Sometimes when Hailey’s out with her friends and I come home, it’s just too damn quiet in the house. I miss the action, the pool games, and the clowning around. I mean, I love Hailey, and we’re good together, but I’ll admit that sometimes I wish we lived at the clubhouse.”
“Don’t let Hailey hear you say that—she’ll bust your balls for sure,” Crow said.
“Believe me, dude, I won’t. She’d take it personally—she wouldn’t get it. It has nothing to do with her,” Goldie replied.
“I understand. Autumn wouldn’t get it either, but I totally relate to what you’re saying,” Chains said.
Crow laughed. “So that’s why you’re always hanging around here. The brothers and I thought it was just for the free shots.”
“Fuck you,” Chains said, a smile tugging at the corner of his lip.
“Don’t knock it, dude. If you move out, you’re gonna miss the bonding. It’s in our blood,” Goldie said.
“Yeah, I agree with that,” he replied.
Chains cleared his throat. “End of the pussy conversation. I need a shot, and I want to get in on a pool game before I have to head home.”
Crow stepped aside to let his friends through, then followed them in.
* * *
“Didyou know Justin was in town?” Valerie asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“No. I’ve told you this before,” Crow replied.
“I was shocked when he called me. He didn’t say much, just asked about you. He said he’s been here for several months. Do you believethat? Why didn’t he call us?”
“Because he’s fucked in the head.” He walked over to the sink. “Don’t you ever do the damn dishes? Shit, Valerie.”
“I’ve been busy. I’ll get to them, eventually. I still can’t believe Justin’s in Alina. I haven’t heard from him in years—at least ten years or so. What about you?”
“Again, I told you no. We just had this conversation the other day. I’m pretty sure Justin’s here for a reason. He’s probably broke or in trouble. Who the fuck knows.”
Crow had felt bad for Justin when he first came to live with the family. The kid was an angry thirteen-year-old who thought he knew everything. Crow had been fifteen at the time and couldn’t fault Justin on that because he wasn’t exactly the model teenager either. He’d caused plenty of sleepless nights for his parents and had his share of suspensions during his high school years. He was never one to back down from a fight or belting someone in the mouth for disrespecting him. Little did he know that he was an outlaw in the making.