“I don’t understand. Are you saying they didn’t want you?”
My brother nods. “That’s the general gist of it.”
“That is insane. You told me that you’ve been prospecting there for a year.”
“Yeah,” he says casually. “I learned the hard way that not everyone makes the cut.”
I literally can’t get my head around putting that kind of time and effort into a club and then they just casually discard him.
“I don’t understand how they could accept all your free labor for a complete year and then just say no when your vote came up.”
“Look Jules, it is what it is. I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted.”
Flint shifts against the counter. “There’s more we need to tell you, Jules.”
I look up at him. “More.”
Tommy takes a breath. “Mica came by after.”
“Mica? He’s the president of the Vultures, right? You’ve mentioned him several times.”
“Yeah. He took us out for breakfast, and he offered me a club officer’s position. He wants me to be their road captain. Since his club is just starting up, I’d be getting in on the ground floor. It would make me a founder.”
I look from one to the other of them. “He what now?”
“He’s willing to bring me in as a club officer from day one, with no prospecting.”
“Wow. That’s good news, right?”
“It’s very good news for me. I never could have been a club officer at Sons. But the thing is, their clubhouse isn’t finished. Everyone with a patch is helping build it. He said most of the brothers are sleeping on cots out there until it’s done.”
“You’re handy with a hammer. So, I’m sure you’d be a real help,” I say.
“The Vultures clubhouse is far enough out that riding there and back every day would be a pain in the ass. Especially once they start working from sunup to sundown.” He glances towards Flint before speaking again. “The heavy build phase iswhat he wants help with, and it makes more sense to bunk up there. After that it should settle down and I can come home sometimes.”
I’m processing his words. Is this my brother’s way of saying he doesn’t want me here if he’s not going to be home?
“If you want me here, I’ll pass on the offer,” he says.
“Tommy, no. You are not going to pass up something you want to do because you think that I’m incapable of hanging around the house on my own. Remember, I’ve been living on my own for four years?”
“I don’t want to leave you alone after what you’ve been through.”
“You’re being absurd. I’m fine.”
“You’re not though. You’re struggling. You have nightmares. I know you flinch every time a car you don’t recognize goes past the end of the drive.”
I open my mouth to object, but the words won’t come.
“You’ve spent your whole adult life taking care of me. You’re the reason I had a place to sleep, food to eat and someone to come to with my problems. I’m not going to be the reason you turn down the first truly good thing that comes your way. You’re doing this.”
Then it hits me. I’ve been trying to pretend that everything’s okay. I thought I was doing a good job of hiding my fears from my brother, but clearly not. And the truth is, I’m terrified at the thought of being out here alone.
“Tommy,” I say. “I don’t want you to give up on this chance. I can get a job and find an apartment in town.”
“With what money, Jules?”
“I have three grand coming in on the Watkins commission. I can probably pick up another piece or two in the next month. I’m not destitute.”
