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“True that.” Hayes held up his coffee, and we all did the same.
“I need to think about it. I don’t know what the fuck I want to do.” I cleared my throat and turned back to Nash. “Are you bringing Cutler over after school today?”
Nash and Kingston were working on a huge renovation for the city right now, and he’d be working late.
“Yeah. Thanks, man. It’ll just be a few hours, and then I’ll swing by and grab him after dinner.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let him play in the ring for a little bit and we’ll grab some pizza.”
“Cutler is a lucky little dude. He’s got the coolest fucking uncles around. Imagine the swagger that kid will have by the time he’s in high school.” River barked out a laugh.
“Let’s slow our roll, all right? He already never takes off that goddamn leather coat you got him.” Nash raised a brow at River before turning to Kingston. “And now he’s asking how old he has to be to get theRide or Dietattoo because someone told him he’d have to get inked someday to be in our brotherhood. That was fucked up, King. He’s not even six years old, and he’s asking me to get a fucking tattoo.”
Kingston held up his hands and smirked. “Dude. When he was over last week, I had my shirt off, and he wouldn’t stop asking questions about it. He also told me he doesn’t like his name and wants to change it.”
“What is the fucking deal with his name? He told me it doesn’tfeel like him, and he’s working on figuring out his new name. I’m probably fucking this kid up more than I even realize.” Nash ran a hand over his face.
“Hey,” I said. “Cutler is the coolest little dude I’ve ever met. He’s a confident kid. Hell, I didn’t have his swagger when I was five years old.”
“I don’t know… young Romeo was breaking hearts and kicking kids’ asses that were twice his size behind the gym at a fairly young age,” Hayes said over his laughter. “But I agree. You have nothing to worry about with your boy. He’s growing up with a lot of love. And we can’t all say that, can we?”
Everyone nodded. We’d all had tough childhoods, each in our own right.
But we’d survived just fine, and it was probably what had led us to one another.
To this friendship.
This brotherhood.
We all wanted things to be easier for Cutler. He may not have a traditional home, but he was surrounded by family, and our love for that little boy was fierce.
“Damn straight. Cutler is more loved than any of your ugly mugs ever were.” River pushed to his feet.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced down and groaned.
“What is it?” Kingston asked.
“Mimi wants me to bring her and my mom some sort of pumpkin spice drink from Magnolia Beans one day this week.” I rolled my eyes. Anytime something new opened in town, my mom and my grandmother made it a big deal.
“Fuck. I’d say don’t do it if it were anyone other than Mimi and your mom asking. I guess we’re all drinking Crawford coffee now.” River flipped us the bird as he tossed his paper cup into the trash.
“It’s not personal. We still hate the Crawfords,” Kingston said. “But I do love me a pumpkin chai latte with a foamy heart on top.”
More laughter.
We did our usual handshake, and Hayes called out our chant on his way out the door.
“Ride or die. Brothers till the end. Loyalty always. Forever my friend.” He held up a peace sign and walked out the door.
And I made my way out to the gym to get back to work.
I had a lot on my mind, and I needed to make a decision on the fight soon.
two
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Demi
