I shrug. “I know it's going to take money, but it’s something I’d like to know is a possibility someday. It’s what I want to work towards.”
“I don’t see why not. Let’s the three of us meet next week to talk more about it. You good with that?”
A huge grin breaks across my face, and joy surges through my chest. I half expected him to blow me off. I should know better. Our president isn’t like that. He takes everything we bring to him seriously. “Thanks, Prez. I really appreciate that.”
“Now let’s go pick up my girl and get to this damn wedding Sanchez is throwing for his daughter.”
Zig chuckles. “I can’t believe he invited all of us.”
“He appreciates the fact that we stopped and helped his crew put out that fire. If we hadn’t, his whole place might have gone up. Hundreds of acres of pecan groves could have been lost.”
“I get that,” Zig agrees, then looks at me and lifts his chin. “I just hope this crew of ours doesn’t get into trouble.”
“How’re we gonna get into trouble?” I ask.
“Knowing you, Blue, you’ll think of something.”
I grin and waggle my brows.
“Look at him,” VP says to Rio. “He looks happy as hell.”
“I am. Prez just gave me the green light on my dream.”
Later that evening, I’m sitting with my brothers at a table in the corner of the reception tent. The waitstaff collects our dinner plates, and dancing begins with the first dance, then the bride dances with her father. Soon they open the floor to everyone.
My brothers and I nurse glasses of scotch and watch.
Mauler sits next to me with Bagger, our enforcer, on his other side.
“Mauler, are you wearing cologne?” Bagger asks him, leaned back in his chair, his arms folded.
“Yeah, why? You don’t like it?”
“It’s okay. Kinda like leather and mesquite.”
“He smells like a barbecued baseball glove,” I add, and my brothers laugh.
“Fuck off,” Mauler snaps, and I grin and nod toward the dance floor.
“Well, don’t waste that smelly shit on us. Go torture one of those bridesmaids with it.”
“Maybe I will.” He scans the women standing on the sidelines. “Which one do you think?”
“I don’t fucking know. Any of ‘em.”
One walks past. “How ‘bout that one?” he asks, lifting his chin to a girl.
“Whoa. Slow down, brother,” Bagger says. “You never buy the first car you see on the lot. Also, remember not to set your sights too high.”
“Are you telling me to go after ugly women? Because an ugly woman I can get without your help.”
I chuckle. “No shit.”
Mauler turns on me. “Okay, Romeo. Let’s see you go get one to dance with you. I bet you twenty bucks they all shoot you down.”
“Deal,” I say, downing my drink and rising.
“Now hold on,” Zig grabs my arm from my other side. “Which one?”
