Right turns and straightaways weren’t too bad. They were easy enough to handle, and the roads at this time on a Saturday weren’t crowded at all.
But trying to turn left? Oh, that was like trying to control a bull that had decided to dig its hooves in and refuse to move—and I didn’t mean the bike, I meant myself. My shoulder was so goddamn stiff that it sincerely took more effort to shift my shoulder so I could take a turn than it did the bike. Every left turn was met with a loud grunt and clenched teeth, and it was only when I pulled up to the shop that I let myself take a break.
For all of about three seconds, that was. I couldn’t let the club see me acting weak and limping, but the pain I was in was unbelievable. It felt like a burn that made my vision go blurry and my head feel light. I tried to cover it up with a slow, confident walk into the shop, but goddamn, I felt like every step had to mask a grimace.
Today, though, I noticed something that made me walk a little taller. People were taking note of me.
They weren’t necessarily going up to me and thanking me for what had happened last night. They weren’t standing up and applauding for the work I’d done. But they looked at me with eyes of gratitude and hope. Perhaps Axle or Butch had spread the word.
Perhaps, after all, getting involved actually would make things better.
Patriot was the first person to actually come up to me. He extended his hand, and I took it with my right hand and pulled him in close for a hug.
“Do you want to discuss last night, man?” he said after our usual hellos.
“Actually, yes,” I said. “I came here so we could call a church meeting. Let’s get whoever is here in there. I’ll be inside, so just whenever. No real rush, but don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“You got it, man,” he said.
Honestly, I just wanted the space so I could let out a few curses and swears because of my arm.
As soon as I shut the door to our church, I bent over, taking my left shoulder in my right hand, and clenched my teeth hard. Damn, this shit hurt! The searing pain didn’t just remain in my shoulder—it was so intense that it felt like it was spreading everywhere. I had to drag myself to the President’s chair, so I could find a comfortable spot for my arm where I wouldn’t be grimacing every few seconds.
This is what happens when you go on runs,I thought.You’re going to have to risk physical injury. You could get hurt. That’s the reality of what you do.
And you know what?
This honestly isn’t that bad. If anything, it’s kind of badass. Took a bullet to the shoulder, but still here the next day.
I mean, death would suck, but...
That one thought was enough to make me look at last night differently.
But before I could let the old darkness win out, Axle and Butch entered. Axle actually almost smiled at me when he walked in, extending his hand.
“That’s what we wanted to see, Lane,” he said. “Nice to see you out there last night.”
“Agreed,” Butch said, taking their seats.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
I didn’t think it was wise to add anything else. To do so risked me saying something that could have been construed as arrogant or cocky, and for once, I wanted to take a page out of Cole’s playbook and just be quiet. I’d let the officers decide for themselves my place in all of this, and the rest would play out as it had to.
Father Marcellus and Red Raven followed. Father Marcellus came over and gave me a hug. I chose to remain in my seat, fearing that standing up would put my arm in a spot where it would hurt like hell.
“Are you feeling alright, my son?” he said.
“Well enough to be here,” I said.
And that was absolutely true. Nothing short of a hospital bed was going to keep me from fulfilling my duties as President—and even then, there was no reason we couldn’t have our church meeting at the hospital room, albeit with a little more precaution than normal.
Red Raven just nodded to me from the back as he took his seat.
Patriot was the last to enter, and he sat down without saying anything else. He didn’t need to, given that we’d already said hello to each other earlier in the day.
“Thanks for coming,” I said. “Let’s recap quickly what happened last night. We had a deal with the Hovas. By all accounts, things were going fine until the Fallen Saints ambushed us. I don’t think we had any casualties, as everyone’s still here.”
I didn’t bother to mention my shoulder wound. I didn’t need pity from anyone right now. I just needed their respect and belief in me.
