Page 4

Locke

“What did you need?” I ask Gunner as I drop into the chair in front of him. He’s at his desk looking a little haggard today. I know everything has been weighing on him, and anything I can do to help with that, I will. That’s my job.

“Wanted to talk to you about some things.”

“Which are?”

“That shit in Arizona. I heard you took a lot of shit for us. That you called in some favors,” he says. I didn’t want to talk about this. I did what I had to do.

“Yeah. Just doin’ my job.”

“No. You went above and beyond pullin’ personal favors, Locke. You didn’t have to do that, but you did.”

“And I’d do it again, Prez. It’s what we do.”

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done around here, Locke. Two years and holy fuck, you’ve stepped up more than any other person ever has. I don’t want you to think that shit goes unnoticed. It doesn’t.”

“I get it, Gunner. I’m just doin’ what I need to do,” I tell him. He grabs his glass and takes down his drink before shaking his head.

“I ain’t never had a VP who went this far for the club, so this shit is new to me, brother.”

“I get it.”

“I just want you to know I appreciate this shit, Locke. I made the right fuckin’ choice patchin’ you in as VP. I know I did.”

“I think so too. And I appreciate the words, but this is what we do, brother. No need for the thanks.” He nods his head once more before he stands and walks around the desk. I do the same, standing to my feet when he pulls me in for a hug.

“Tell them we’re cookin’ out this weekend. We need some fun and a little welcome home party for Kiki.”

“I’ll let them know,” I tell him as he pulls away. I turn on my heel and walk back out of his office and down the steps into the main room.

“Hey Duke, you hear we’re cookin’ out this weekend?”

“No one tells my old ass nothin’ around here.” I chuckle and shake my head.

“Well, we are. Get your grill ready; I’m only eatin’ your ribs.” He nods his head and gives me a salute as I walk into the kitchen.

“You cookin’ for everyone?” I ask Missy, one of the club girls.

“Hell no. You know where the stove is.” She snaps at me.

“Damn, girl. That time of the month?” She flips me off as I laugh and grab some stuff from the fridge to make a sandwich. I eat quickly and put my shit away before walking back into the main room.

I see Remy in the corner and stroll over, taking a seat next to him. I hold my hand out for a cigarette when he looks at me strangely.

“Thought you quit?”

“I did,” I reply, sliding one out of the pack and lighting it up.

“What’s goin’ on?”

“Nothin’. Just havin’ some thoughts is all,” I tell him. He nods his head, knowing not to ask because I won’t tell, but the thoughts of her burn through me like a fucking wildfire. I can’t stop them. I can’t make them go away. Nothing can.

“We all have a past, Locke.”

“I know, but mine needs to stay dead,” I tell him. “You hear we’re cookin’ out this weekend?”

“No shit? Been a while since we’ve done that. Maybe Missy will bring some friends. We need some new ass around here,” he says with a laugh.

“You need some new ass. I’m content,” I tell him.

“With Missy?”

“Hell no. With nothin’. I haven’t touched one of these girls in months.”

“Your cock broke?”

“Nope. Just don’t see anything I like at the moment.”

“Somethin’ is wrong with you then, brother. Ginger is lookin’ good as hell these days.”

“You’re right. She isn’t bad.”

“This all about what’s fuckin’ around in that head of yours?”

“I think so. It’s stressin’ me out, Remy. I can’t fuckin’ think straight. It’s that time of the year, though.”

“I get it, brother. I’m still here if you need to get it off your chest. Just like always.” I nod my thanks as I inhale nicotine into my lungs.

We both look up to see a pissed Gunner stomping down the stairs and grabbing a drink.

“What’s with him?” Remy asks.

“Don’t know. He was fine when I was up there.”

“Talkin’ about Arizona?”

“Yeah.”

“You really stepped up for that one. Not many would have done what you did.”

“It’s my job, yeah?”

“Fuck that, Locke. Job or not, not many would have called in some personal shit like that. You really took one for the club.”

“It’s what I do, brother. It’s what I do.”

“I know Prez really appreciated it. We all did.”

“It’s nothin’. Stop talkin’ about it.” I don’t need to hear it. I didn’t save the fucking day. I just did what needed to be done.

“You’re always so pissy. I think you’re right. These girls aren’t doin’ it for you anymore.”

“Fuck off. I’m not pissy.”

“You are pissy. Everyone sees it. I get it. Ever since I’ve known you, this time of the year kicks your ass, but you gotta look at the good shit you have goin’, Locke. You have us, this club. That’s somethin’.”

“And I’m proud as fuck to be a part of this club, Remy. This time of the year just fucks me over.”

“I get that, but come on. You gotta have somethin’ good in your life. Get an old lady and settle down,” he chuckles. I shake my head and glance over at him.

“You get an old lady and settle down. What the fuck?”

“I haven’t found one willin’ to deal with my ass.”

“Me either. You think the good ones just fall from the sky?”

“Don’t I fuckin’ wish. Wouldn’t that be so easy?”

“Life isn’t easy, brother. That’s why we struggle.”

“Heard that. Let’s get a drink. I need somethin’.” With that, the conversation is over. As we walk to the bar, I think about things. I look around and take in everyone, and I know this is home now. It has been for a while it’s just taken me a minute to see it. This is my family now, and that’s all I need.