That hit harder than expected.
“You wanted to believe the best in him.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “That isn’t weakness, son. That’s who you are.”
“It cost the club.”
“Yeah, and it cost you more.”
That was the part I hadn’t let myself say out loud. I swallowed hard, then muttered, “I wish I could go back. I would do so much differently.”
“Hindsight is 20-20.” He gave me a nod. “You learn from the pain. You don’t live it. That’s the difference between a mistake and a downfall.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will. You’re a good man, Goose. You gave your brother every chance. He made his choices.” He gave me one last pat. “Don’t carry what isn’t yours to carry.”
And with that, he walked off, leaving me to soak in every word he’d said.
And I did.
He and the others had slowly helped me find my way back to reality, and it meant a great deal to me. I eased back in my chair as I told him, “I am, and I gotta say, it’s good to know I was missed.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late.” I gave him a brotherly slap on the shoulder. “And I gotta say, I think the whips and chains would do you good.”
“And I think a muzzle would do you good.”
“You did this,” Creed fussed at Memphis. “You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut.”
“Don’t give me that shit,” Memphis piped back. “You know you were worried about his ass, too.”
“Pfft.”
“Awe, you boys are making me feel all warm and fuzzy.”
“I think I’ll get while the getting is good.” Creed finished off his beer and stood. “I’ll let Preacher know we’re on board, and you two try to behave.”
“I make no promises.”
Once he was gone, Memphis nudged me with his elbow. “All jokes aside… you okay?”
“Yeah. Just having a hard time shaking the guilt.”
“I get it, but you gotta know none of us blame you for what happened.”
“He was my brother.”
“Yeah, but he acted on his own accord. You couldn’t have stopped him even if you wanted to. So, listen to me when I say… put this shit behind you and move on.”
“I hear ya.”
“Good. Now, actually do it, and maybe we can get back to normal around here.”
“Have we ever been normal?”
“Hell no, but we can pretend.”
“That we can.”
