I haven’t told him yet, but somehow, he knows why I’m sitting here with only this big oak desk between us. “It’s the right move for me. For us.”
He nods in rhythm, inhaling deeply. “You’re the not the same boy I asked to join my club years ago. You got that damn spark in your eye like the rest of us who found love and all that shit.”
I let out a small, chuckled scoff. “Yeah. You can say that.”
He leans forward, interlocking his fingers. “You find what you were looking for?”
I contemplate his question and think about why I joined the Steel Valley Chains but the pain normally reminding me, is long gone. “It was never lost. I was just stuck and had to finally let go.”
He studies me a bit, his eyes narrowing. “You’re a good kid. And it sucks to lose an enforcer, but I get it.” He takes out two cigars from his desk, handing one to me. I take it, letting him light it. He sits back, boots on the desk and takes two quick puffs before releasing it. I do the same. “Gotta have the guys vote in. Just the rules of the game.”
Anytime a decision is to be made, the club votes. It’s been that way for decades. Club’s passing down the same set of laws and traditions. Most are misogynistic in ways. Though Chain has bent more than a few of them being President. Angel being patched is one of them.
“I get it.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Fuck, kid.”
A lump forms in my throat.
He gets up and rounds the desk and I stand. “For selfish fucking reasons I’d like to tell you to fuck off, you’re not quittin’ the club, but...” He lays a hand to my shoulder. “The father in me is proud. Really fucking proud of you.”
Fuck.
I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth, but dammit, this man helped keep me from sinking my head into the sand. I wasn’t happy, but I had a purpose and that wouldn’t have been possible without him. A father figure to us all and for that, I owe him my life.
We embrace into a hug, me pulling him in first. “Thank you. For everything.”
He claps my back, his eyes glossed over. “Well, shit. Get out of here before you see your President cry like a goddamn baby.”
I smile, then frown, watching him like it’s the last time. And well, maybe it is the only and last time I’ll get to witness Chain at this very moment. In all his vulnerability. He’s always the tough boss man. And it’s easy to forget he’s just like the rest of us.
Outside his office Throttle stands, his boot to the wall, arms crossed, and he looks over at me. I guess out of everyone here, he’d be the brother I’m closest to.
“So, is it true? You really gettin’ out of here?”
I shrug. “Guess it depends on the vote.”
He nods, looking away and I could tell he’s fighting back what to say.
I join him, propping my boot on the same wall. Chloe runs through the clubhouse as Jules tries to chase her. The laughter. The love. It’s here, but it’s not my ending.
This place is theirs.
Not mine.
I suppose I always knew this would be a temporary home.
“There’s nothing left for me here.”
Throttle lets out a sigh, and his jaw muscle moves as I cast him a side glance. “This ain’t about me right now, but fuck. I should have tried harder to know you, man. You were going through shit, and I should have been there.”
I stare off, Charger now holding Chloe on his shoulders. The same blue eyes as his. “Nah, man. I was too far gone. My pain was mine and mine alone. It wouldn’t have mattered.”
“You going back to Oregon?”
I think about it, having honestly no idea what’s going to happen next. And I smile. “I don’t know. It’ll depend on Danika.”
Because where she goes, I go.
