Chapter 1
Worley
(Please read the dedication & Trigger Warning first)
The Viking Den is packed tonight with club members and their families. A few trusted friends from town are here, too. It’s almost nine. The members with underage kids will head home when the hour strikes. The heavier partying will start shortly after. Maybe all this lovey-dovey mushiness will stop then. Valentine’s Day. What a joke. The idiot who started this madness should be stabbed, right in the heart. Pun totally intended.
It's not that I don’t believe in love. I see true examples all around me. My best friend met the love of his life in high school. Their son, Jack, found his true love a few months ago and officially claimed her. Tonight, Rodeo claimed his woman. About half of the club members are married or seriously dating. Love is everywhere. I just don’t believe that kind of love is meant for me. I have my dad. That’s love. Dad and this brotherhood are the only real love I know.
My luck with women hasn’t been great. I’ve only thought about claiming one. Let’s just say the experience taught me a valuable lesson. One I don’t care to ever repeat. I don’t have thetime or energy for a woman anyway. As Vice President of the Viking Warriors MC, I have more than enough to deal with.
Even with all the love in the air, problems still exist. The club has had more than its fair share of problems lately. One possible problem sits at the lower end of the bar.
“Hey, man.” I slide onto the empty stool next to him.
Nobody’s bothered to sit here since Jack’s friend showed up over an hour ago. With all the loving feelings going around tonight, nobody wants to be around the sad, grumpy guy in the corner. It’s darker than usual at this end of the bar. Jack removes the light bulb from the overhanging lantern when this man shows up.
“Hey, Worley.” He rubs the beer bottle against the right side of his forehead and temple.
“You want something for the headache?”
“Won’t help,” he mumbles.
I tap the bar for Parker to bring me a beer. He nods at my sad friend. I shake my head. He’s had enough tonight.
“She break your heart?” I shouldn’t ask. It’s obvious his pain is over a woman, and I’m the last person who needs to give relationship advice.
Without lifting his head, he turns just enough to look me in the eye. “Guess I did. Years ago.”
I hold his gaze for a moment. Understanding passes between us. “Know the feeling.”
He puts his elbow on the bar. Resting his forehead in his palm, he goes back to staring at his beer. The blue hoodie once again hides his face. Good thing it does. If these people figure out who he is, he won’t have a moment of peace. He definitely won’t get to drown in his sorrow anymore. Maybe being recognized would bring him out of this funk. Nah. I can’t let that happen to him. Still, my heart kinda hurts for the man.
Jack passed orders around to our brothers to make sure his friend was left alone. They’ve helped to detour the bunnies and women away from this side of the bar. Kayla was the only bartender allowed to work this end of the bar tonight until Parker took over. Kayla was told just to give this man a beer when he tapped the bar. No words were exchanged between them.
Maci and Ember have glanced this way a few times. Thankfully, they listened when Jack demanded they stay at the other end of the bar near Granddad and Pops, or their first night of bartending would end quickly. My old man and Jack’s grandfather won’t let anything happen to the girls. Girls? Maci and Ember are grown women in college. No matter how old they get, the patched members of this club will overly protect them.
Jay walks in from the backyard and looks my way. I motion with my head to the man sitting next to me. Jay takes a deep breath, lifting his shoulders. This is his friend, too. I slide over and let Jay sit next to his friend.
“Whatcha need, man?” Jay rests his forearms on the bar.
“A new life.” His friend doesn’t look up.
Jay shrugs. “I could loan you a bike. Get you a cut. Have you patched in.” He slams his hand on the bar. “Bam! New life.”
Without looking up, his friend chuckles and shakes his head. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”
That would be funny. It would be a new life, though. However, with all the bad publicity the club has gotten lately, it would destroy his band’s reputation. Sales would drop drastically for them.
The clock over the bar chimes nine. The families with underage children begin to leave. Jay has things handled here. I’ll help Ross see the families safely out the gate.
I finish my beer and slap a hand on Jay’s back. “Sober him up, or don’t let him leave.”
Jay nods. “He can stay with me, or I’ll call Harrison.”
“No.” Grayson’s head snaps up. He tries to jab a finger at Jay. His aim is a little off. “Don’t call my drummer.”
“Come on, Gray. You’re drowning here. Have been for a while. Let me walk you up to my house.” Jay releases a deep breath. He hates giving ultimatums. “Or, I’m calling Harrison.”
