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I hear the smile in his voice, and I push off my chair, unfolding my long legs and shaking them out. “Great, now your voice is in my head when I’m about to nut.” I hear him groan and open the door with a smile. “What’s up?”
“Come on.” He nods to the right, and we head toward the back patio area and the picnic tables where I’ve spent countless hours smoking cigarettes, shooting the shit with Lucky or Tank or Ollie, maybe even getting a blow job or two. Okay, definitely a blow job or two…dozen. “You’ve been a big help around here since you got here, Stone.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“I mean it.” He stops, turning to me with a serious expression. “You stepped in and helped like you were one of us. You treated my men like they were your brothers. That shit means somethin’ to me.”
I shrug off his gratitude. “At this point, they are brothers to me. And we both know I got more out of staying here than you did.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. That damn mayor, Reggie Song, might still be a problem if not for you.”
“Yeah, thankfully, he’s not still a problem.”
“No,” he sighs. “He’s not a problem because of you. And you kept Banger safe when he was recovering at the clinic.” He grins. “You gonna make me list every fucking solid you did while you were here, or you just gonna say thanks for having me, Ace, it’s been a pleasure?”
I grin and stroke my chin. “I don’t know. I’m getting a kick out of watching you squirm, trying to say this shit. But I’m happy this worked out for both of us. Thanks.”
“Not a problem, man.” He claps me on the back and lets out a bark of laughter. “Back to the land of cow shit and barbecue, brother.”
Ace’s words loosen the last bit of tension gripping my chest. That’s what I was missing, his easy acceptance of my impending departure. We both knew it would happen eventually, and he’s making it easy for me. Don’t think I don’t appreciate it.
Ace has more. “Don’t forget cowgirls in tight jeans,” he says, winking. “Don’t beat California girls' skimpy dresses, but cowgirls know how to ride.” The more I talk to Ace about home, the more excited I am to go back to Texas to see my family. And to claim what’s mine.
Ace smiles and shakes his head at me, which pretty much sums up our relationship. “I need a drink. You want a drink?”
“I could go for a drink,” I say and look at the door behind him. “Aren’t we going outside?”
“Nah, let’s just get a drink.” We turn around and head toward my favorite part of the Reckless Souls clubhouse, the bar. It has tables, bar games, and, most of all, shelves upon shelves of booze. No tips required.
I follow Ace back down the hall, and that’s when I hear the music and sounds of conversation. Not that it’s strange to hear. This place is a nonstop party house, so to speak, but it’s the middle of the fuckin’ morning. The door opens, and everyone is here. Correction, everyone and their old ladies are inside. “What. The. Fuck.”
Ace laughs. “It’s called a party. Don’t you have them in Texas?”
“Funny.”
“We couldn’t send you off without a proper goodbye, man. You’re one of us.” The smile on his face is so genuine, so out of character from his usual scowl, that I’m speechless for a moment.
I flash a smile and spread my arms wide, my gaze dancing around the room to all the people who have been my friends and my brothers these past five years.
Ace spreads his arms wide and shouts, “Let the party begin, fuckers!”
Banger shoves a whiskey neat in my hand, flashing a smile. “First drink is on me. Thanks for keeping an eye on me while Tank knocked up Sophie.”
“Fuck you,” Tank growls, a wide smile on his face and one beefy arm wrapped around Sophie.
Aria saunters over to me on the highest, pinkest heels I’ve ever seen with Lucky at her side, both of them wearing big-ass smiles. “Stone, I hope you’ll come back for the wedding?”
“Send me an invite, and you know I’ll be there.” Aria surprises me when she steps in closer and wraps me in a hug.
“Be safe. Don’t get trampled by a bull.”
I laugh loudly and squeeze her back. “I’ll do my best, but I think those weapons on your feet are far more dangerous than any bull.”
Lucky grins. “All right, that’s enough.” Then he goes about the business of separating me and Aria.
Once everyone arrives, the booze flows as freely as the goodbyes. My throat starts to tighten as it gets fucking emotional. When I left Opey, it was literally the middle of the night. I didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone, so this shit is getting to me. I walk up to the bar. “Another, please, Trudy.”
She nods and pours another drink, sliding it into my palm with a half-sad smile. “Take care of yourself, Stone.”
