Page 5 of Grace's Redemption

He walked over and planted himself in the middle of the bevy of young beauties.

I put an arm around Matt.

“You drunk?” I asked.

“Not quite.” He grinned.

“I need you to listen to me for a minute.” I said. I grabbed his knee and squeezed the tendons on the side. I used to do it all the time when we were kids and I wanted to annoy him. With Grace, I used to pinch her bicep and make it jump. Shit hurt like hell.

“Stop man.” He pushed my hand away. “I’m listening.”

“Be smart.” I pointed a finger in his face. “I won’t be around to bail you out any more. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

Matt rolled his eyes.

“I’m serious, you little shit.” I reached for his knee again.

He flinched.

“I know. I get it.”

“Do you?” I tilted my head. “You don’t have to blindly follow everything Dad says. If you have a question or a bad feeling about something ask it, express it. Follow your gut.” I punched him in the gut. “You have a brain, use it. You have to show him that —”

“That I can execute, I know.” He waved his hand.

I grabbed his hand.

“No, he needs to know that you have the balls to stand up to him if he’s wrong.” I pointed at the crowd, “They want to see it too. You have their respect. Now be worthy of it.”

He scanned the crowd full of men mostly from our crew, a couple friendlies from other crews, their wives, girlfriends, and hangarounds.

“I believe in you, if this is what you want, you know I’ll always support you.” I placed a hand on his shoulder. “If you need anything call and I’ll come right back, okay.”

He nodded slowly, blinked his eyes, and turned away.

He wiped his face and flipped his floppy hair back on top of his head and there it was.

The goofy grin I knew and loved.

It was the last time I would see my little brother for a while. My chest tightened. Before it got any more awkward and we started crying like a couple of pussies, I stood up.

He stood, too.

“Now go, get drunk, get laid.” I ushered him out into the party.

He gave me quick hug. “I love you Mase.” He let go and disappeared in the crowd.

I headed for the back stairs.

I had one more goodbye to survive and then I was out of here.