Rafe—
“Been a long time since I’ve had to bail one of you boys out of jail.” Cole leads me into the clubhouse.
“Thanks, Prez. Sorry for the trouble,” I say, following him inside.
“Well, there’s our little jailbird,” Red Dog says. “You doin’ okay, kid?”
“I’m fine.” I take a seat at the bar, and my brothers surround me. “Give me a tequila, Cody.”
He brings me a shot glass and carries the bottle over, pouring it in front of me.
“Thanks. Leave the bottle.”
“What the fuck happened?” Crash leans a hand on the bar next to me. “You left here this morning happy and in love. How the hell did you end up charged with arson by noon?”
I toss back the shot. “The mill was on fire when I arrived. Already almost burned to the ground. The fire department was there.” I drag a hand down my face. “Her father accused me of setting it the second I stepped off my bike.”
“Why?” my father asks, pushing in to the spot on my other side.
“Whoever set the fire was dressed like a biker. Head to toe leather and a full-face helmet.”
“No shit?” Green says.
“Tori stepped right up and gave me an alibi. She told her father about us. Stood right there in front of everyone and told them she was with me all night. It was something to see. She was fierce.”
“So, what happened?” Billy asks, his arms folded.
I swivel around to face him. “Her father flipped his shit. Sent her up to the house. Once she was out of sight, he fired me.”
“That’s a shitty deal,” TJ mutters.
“To top it all off, that fucker she was dating was there, too. He walks over and tells me he asked her to marry him the night he took her out. Said he wanted to walk across the street to the courthouse and do it right then, but he didn’t have a ring.
Then he pulls it out of his pocket and shows it to me.
Four fucking carats. Said it cost him half a million.
How am I supposed to compete with that?”
Green whistles.
“Then the police arrested me for arson.” I spin back and pour another shot.
Crash steps away, and my brother takes the seat beside me. “You think she loves that other guy?”
“I don’t know, Kyle. She told me she didn’t. But that fucking asshole sure sounded convincing.”
“Does she seem like the kind of girl who could be bought with a big ring?” TJ asks.
“A big dick, maybe…” Green murmurs.
“Shut up, Green,” Wolf snaps.
“Rafe, you really think she’s the kind of chick who’d throw over a man she claimed to want for a man she doesn’t love?” Billy asks.
“No.”
“Then why are you fucking doubting her?” Kyle asks.
“He’s trying to protect his heart, man,” Red Dog says.
“Fuck that,” Billy says.
“When’s your court date?” TJ asks.
“Hell, I don’t know. I left the paperwork in my saddlebag.
“Don’t worry, Rafe. We’ll find you a good attorney,” my father says, slapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Thanks.”
Eventually, most of the originals drift away, and my boys surround me.
“Have you texted her?” TJ asks.
“A bunch of times. She hasn’t answered a single one.”
“Did you try calling?” Billy asks.
“Yep. Same thing. No answer. Goes to voicemail, but her box is full.”
Kyle slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Give it some time. Try again tomorrow. Maybe she’s just dealing with her father and the fire. It may not be what you’re thinking.”
I scoff. “And what am I thinking, Kyle?”
“You’re thinking she’s blowing you off. You always go to the worst-case scenario, brother.”
“Since when?”
“Since…” He trails off, and I know like a gut punch he means the attack and my head injury.
I’ve been told before by Fiona and by Kyle that I don’t act the same as I did before.
I’m quicker to anger, slower to make a decision.
Maybe it’s true, but I really thought this was one decision I made I’d have no doubts about.
Tori and me… I was so sure. When she said it was me she wanted, I believed her.
“Give it until tomorrow and try again.” Kyle puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a shake. “Okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” I down another shot and stare at the bar.
“You want to play a game of pool, Rafe?” Billy asks.
I shake my head.
They stand around me like they feel the need to watch me.
I crane my neck and look over my shoulder. “You can knock off the suicide watch. I’m fine.” Then I down another shot.
In the mirror behind the bar, I see them exchange a look, then drift off toward the pool table.
They mean well. I get that. But right now, I just need time to think.
The longer I sit at the bar, the lower the liquor in the bottle gets, until I’m barely able to stay upright.
The room spins, and the jukebox gets louder. People come and go around me, but like I asked, my brothers leave me alone until I slip from my stool and hit the floor.
I vaguely remember four of them carrying me down the hall and tossing me in one of the bunks we keep for out-of-town club members.
I pass out again, visions of Tori tormenting me.