“What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped back. “You’ve got Presley.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” He rolled his eyes. “But there’s no harm in looking.”
“Not sure she’d agree.”
“Nah, I don’t reckon she would.”
He pulled over a chair, and once he was seated next to me, I asked, “So, how’d you two end up together anyway?”
“Who?”
“You and Presley?”
“Ah, yeah…” That seemed to catch him off guard, but he quickly recovered. “Went into her salon for a haircut. Sat in her chair, threw out a couple of jokes, and hit her with that Crenshaw charm.” He flashed a grin. “She couldn’t resist.”
“Uh-huh.”
Presley didn’t strike me as the type to be won over by a smile and an offhand pickup line, but I didn’t push. Maybe there was more to it. Maybe there wasn’t. Either way, it didn’t matter. She was with him, and that was all I needed to know.
“She’s a good one and all, but I’m not sure it’s gonna last for the long haul.”
“Why’s that?”
“She’s one of those high-maintenance chicks.” He grimaced. “Takes a lot to keep a woman like her happy, and I’m not sure I have it in me. But I’ll make the best of it until it all blows up in my face.”
“I get it.” It seemed like he was being sincere, so I took the chance and asked, “You heading back to work tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I reckon.” He glanced down at his watch, then let out a breath and stood. “I’m tempted to try my luck at the slots, but I should probably head out.”
“Up to you.”
“I’m gonna get going.”
I reached into my pocket and grabbed my keys as I asked, “You want to take my truck or…”
“I’ll catch a ride.” He started for the door as he said, “See ya when I see ya!”
I gave him a nod, and he disappeared out of the front door.
I didn’t have high hopes for the days that followed.
Davis had showed his ass at the casino, and I feared it was an indicator of what was to come. I had no reason not to. Davis didn’t exactly have the best track record, but over the past few days, he’d really come around.
Yeah. It surprised me, too.
He’d been going to work, and he’d gone without complaint. And when he was at the clubhouse, he did his best to make himself useful. He’d fixed a couple of leaky faucets, hauled off boxes, and made liquor runs. He’d even helped out in the kitchen, making a hell of a dinner with the girls.
It was actually edible, and he hadn’t burned down the kitchen.
I’d say that was a success in itself.
But the doubts still lingered.
He was making moves in the right direction, but I was hesitant to believe all was well. I knew a few good choices didn’t erase a lifetime of bad ones.
But at the same time, it didn’t take away from the fact that his helping out around the clubhouse had meant something to me. And I had no doubt that it meant something to my brothers.
After a long night and an even earlier morning, I decided to go by the clubhouse to invite Davis to the club gathering we were planning for the weekend. I figured it would be a good way to let him know I appreciated his efforts.
