“Shit, man, that sucks. Want us to bring you something back?” I ask.
“Nah,” Shady catches my arm on my way out. “Just make sure you keep your word. ‘Cause the hope of getting back with the Kings is all I got left.”
Shady’s voice is low and desperate. A tone I heard lots in the joint, and it never had a good ending.
I clamp my hand on his shoulder. “I’m gonna make it right.” That short declaration became my cause. Getting the Kings back together was always the plan, but seeing how hard my brothers landed after my fuck-up is weighing heavy on me.
It was about more than pride or proving shit. It was about my brothers and what they lost—and what they needed to regain.
We tap fists, and I follow Speed out to the parking lot. The blaring sun is way too much. “Please tell me the Atlantic Diner is still open.”
“Absolutely.” Speed smirks. “And guess what, fucker, you’re paying.”
“No problem, but first I gotta shower off those females.”
Speed gives me the once-over. “You look fucked out.”
“Those bitches were the perfect remedy for a man locked up for five years, three months and sixteen days.”
The Golden Sands was everything Speed warned. Threadbare carpet, worn bedspread with mystery stains, a cracked mirror over the bathroom sink, and a mildewed shower curtain. What itdidn’t have was a line of naked guys scratching their balls while waiting their turn for the shower.
I cranked the hot water all the way up and let it beat on me till it turned cold. Best fuckin’ shower I’d had in five years. I dried myself off with the thin, rough towel, feeling like I was in a five-star hotel. The one plus of being beat down in life, the only way to go is up. A direction I want—with no detours.
After Speed and I polished off two Taylor ham and eggs apiece, home fries, bacon, sausages, and gallons of coffee, my brain was in gear.
“So, what’s this big plan of yours?” Speed drains the last of his coffee. “It better be good ‘cause I didn’t like the look in Shady’s eyes. “For a big fuckin’ guy, he’s got a sensitive side.”
“Fuckin’ real, man.” I throw my napkin on my plate. “Before I look up the others, I’m heading over to The End and talk to a guy named Sammy.”
“The End?” Speed’s reaction was the same as Maggie’s.
“I heard from a guy on the inside that this Sammy wants to dump the place.”
“Can’t say I blame him. The place has been boarded up for a few years. I heard the owner don’t want it anymore, so he just abandoned it.”
Not the best arrangement, but maybe it would mean picking it up cheap.
I pick up the check, then leave some bills to cover it and a generous tip.
Speed frowns. “Even though I busted your balls before, you didn’t have to pay for me.”
“Yeah, I did.” We exchange a look, and he stays silent.
“You want me to go with you to The End.”
“Nah, let me go feel the guy out alone. Even though you’re wearing that stupid Pizza King t-shirt, you’re still a scary fuckerto most, and the two of us barging in together might be too much for the old guy.”
“Agreed.”
“Rest up, ‘cause if this goes off, we’re gonna have a lot of fuckin’ work ahead of us.” I stuff my money back in my pocket.
We both push out of the booth and face each other. “I promise by the end of the month, both our asses will be outta the Golden Sands.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
I nod, knowing there’s nothing I can say to make him believe me. Why should he? I fucked him and the whole club ‘cause I was too busy thinking I was invincible and letting my guard down. A mistake I’d never make again.
We tap fists in the parking lot, and I nod toward Speed’s beater car. “Where’s your Harley?”
