The Coyotes’ president hadn’t wasted any time reaching out to Preacher. As soon as he got word of what happened, he reached out to Prez directly. He made it clear to him that his boys had acted on their own. He felt ashamed and embarrassed that he hadn’t had a better handle on them.
Regardless, he hoped that we could all put this behind us and let grievances die where they fell. He hoped we could find a way to exist in the same city without blood running through the streets.
Preach made no promises.
But he respected the call.
We all did, and in the end, he agreed to no retaliation. At least, not for now. That didn’t mean we would forgive and forget. We wouldn’t forget a damn thing. I certainly wouldn’t.
I was pulled from my thoughts when Creed looked over to me and asked, “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a lot to take on, but we can do it.”
“That’s it?” Memphis grumbled.
“What do you want from me, man?”
“I want you to pull your head out of your ass and be Goose again.” Memphis let out a breath. “Is it me? You still blaming me for being the one…”
“We’ve been through that,” I interrupted. “I don’t blame you for shit. You did what you had to do.”
“I did, but that doesn’t change the fact that I was the one who pulled the trigger.”
“I would’ve done the same fucking thing, brother. You gotta let that shit go.”
“And so do you.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder,” Memphis snapped. “Hell, I never thought I’d say this, but I miss the old Goose. Our Goose.The one who always had the smart-assed remarks and goofy comebacks. Hell, even the pestering. This hum-drum bullshit has to go.”
“You miss me fucking with you?”
“Yeah, it surprised the hell out of me, too.”
“Sadist.”
“Maybe, just a tad.”
“Need me to tell Tallie to break out the whips and chains?”
“Easy, smartass.” Memphis smiled. “Just needed to know you were still in there.”
I was still far from being back to my old self, but with each day that passed, the weight on my shoulders seemed a little lighter. I owed that to my brothers. They’d been by my side every step of the way. Even Preach had tried to ease my mind on the whole situation.
He gave me a couple of days to stew over things before coming up to me and saying, “You’re still mulling in it.”
I didn’t ask what he meant. I knew. We all knew. I ran my hand down my face and sighed, “I should’ve seen it sooner.”
“Seen what?”
“That he was full of shit.” My throat tightened. “I vouched for him… put my patch on the line. Hell, I put the whole damn club on the line.”
“You trusted your brother.”
“And look how that turned out.”
“It’s a tough one.” Preacher let out a long breath. “Blood doesn’t always guarantee character. It just gives history.”
