"Listen," Pyro says."Enya and Warren are club family now, which means they're protected.Which means you're not doing this alone.You've got all of us backing you."
"I know.And I'm grateful.But it's still a lot."
"It is," Preacher agrees."Being a man with a family is the hardest thing you'll ever do.Harder than any fight.Any run.Any club business.Because you can't just fight your way through problems anymore.You have to think.Plan.Be patient."
"And be two people," Pyro adds."Tank when you need to be.Devin when you need to be."
The name lands strange.No one calls me Devin except Enya and Warren.
"You don't have to choose," Pyro continues."You just learn when to be which version.When to be the brother who handles threats, and when to be the man who reads bedtime stories."
"It's not that simple."
"No.It's not.But nothing worth doing is simple."
Raptor leans forward."Look, I'm not gonna bullshit you.You've got priorities now beyond the patch.And that's okay.But you need to be honest about it, with us and with yourself."
"I'm trying."
"I know you are."He pauses."Just don't lose yourself completely.Don't become so focused on being what they need that you forget who you are.They need Tank too.The protective, fierce, loyal bastard who won't let anyone hurt them.Not just the soft version."
"Balance," Preacher says."That's the key.Be both.Be all of it."
I nod slowly, processing.
"We're with you," Pyro says."Whatever you need.Advice.Backup.Someone to watch Warren when you need to handle club business.We're here."
"Thanks."
"That's what brothers do."
We drink in comfortable silence for a while, then Raptor says, "So, when do we get to meet the kid properly?"
"Soon.Once he's more settled.I don't know.Once it feels right."
"Fair enough.It’s just...we're curious.A kid who's got you this twisted up must be something special."
"He is."My chest tightens."He's...Fuck, he's just a good kid.Deserves better than what he's had."
"And now he's got you," Preacher says."That's better."
I want to believe him, want to trust that I'm enough.
"Go home," Pyro says."To your woman and her boy.We'll call if we need you."
"Yeah.Alright."
I finish my beer.Stand.Head for the door.
At the threshold, Pyro calls out."Tank?"
I turn.
"You're doing good, better than you think.Keep going."
I nod.I can't speak.
Then I'm gone.Back on my bike.Heading to Enya's.
