Page 10 of Patched

“Yeah, Dad. You guys always tell us how proud of us you are. You’ve been there every step of the way without hoverin’. You know we’re gonna miss you bein’ in Pine View, but I think it’s the right choice for both of us. It doesn’t mean we love you any less. It simply means that it’s time for us to make our own way. I mean, it’s no different than if we were movin’ away to college or somethin’. There’s nothin’ keepin’ us in Pine View so we can’t come visit home when we need or want to. And you guys can always come down and visit with us,” he states, clearly having thought about this move more than I gave him credit for and that’s not fair.

“Honestly, I was worried that you were only movin’ because Kaden is. I didn’t want you to blindly follow him just because he’s your best friend and you’re so used to sharin’ girls and everythin’ else with him,” I say, needing to be honest with my son because it’s what we’ve always done with them.

“Not at all. I mean, yeah, we talked about it and figured out what it would mean for our friendship if one of us moved and one stayed here versus if we both stayed in Benton Falls or both moved to Pine View. Kaden and I aren’t chained together no matter how much you guys laugh and say we are. We have our own wants and needs that strengthen our friendship and no matter what decision we make, that won’t change. It will be harder to maintain a friendship, but when you’ve been best friends with someone as long as we have, I believe we can make it work,” my son informs me, a smile on his face because he knows that’s the truth between Kaden and him.

“So, what are you gonna do when it comes time to findin’ an ol’ lady? Are you and Kaden gonna share an ol’ lady or find your own?” I question him, asking the question that’s been on my mind from pure curiosity and nothing more.

“We’re not sure yet. I mean, it would be great if we could share an ol’ lady that way we don’t have to worry if our women will get along since we are best friends. But, if we find a woman who isn’t interested in sharin’ or that the other one isn’t interested in, we’re perfectly okay with movin’ forward in the relationship on our own. Personally, I’d prefer to find a girl we can share who will love us both the way we’re meant to be loved. Kaden and I are two different people and we both have different ways of showin’ our love. If one woman can accept us for who we are and what we bring to a relationship, then I’m all for sharin’,” Colton tells me, a deep look on his face because he’s been thinking about this for a long time and he doesn’t want to tell me how long it’s been on his mind.

“Just as long as you both understand that sharin’ an ol’ lady is so much different than fuckin’ some random girl a few times. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt by goin’ into that kind of relationship without thinkin’ it through completely or understandin’ everythin’ that truly goes into a relationship with three people. The sex will always be the same. It’s everythin’ else that changes. The way you feel about the woman, how you treat her, the roles you’ll play in her life, and the trust all three of you have to have in one another. Communication is even more important in that kind of relationship as well. If Wood and I didn’t know how to talk to one another, it would’ve taken us so much longer to make this work with your mom. At one point, I wasn’t honestly sure it would work with the three of us. Your mom was so nervous about bein’ with us and I was havin’ my own doubts about makin’ it work. At the end, we all knew we wanted to be together and we’d be stronger that way than any other way,” I tell him, needing him to understand the differences he’ll be stepping into.

“I know. Kaden and I have actually talked about all of that over the last year as we’ve figured out what we want movin’ forward. We’ve been watchin’ you, Mom, and Dada. It doesn’t hurt that we’ve also got Darcy, Crash, and Trojan along with Cage, Skylar, and Joker. All of you have shown us the way this kind of relationship should be and how to make it work with more than two people in a relationship. Kaden and I talk about everythin’ already and if we have to step that up even more in order to be in a relationship with the same girl, then we will. It might take us a minute in order to figure out how to make it work, but we’ll get there eventually,” he states, letting me know how serious he is about this and that they truly have been talking about the one aspect of their friendship I was so worried about.

It's so easy to forget relationships can put a strain on a friendship when you’re trying to figure out the way it will work between three people. For Kaden and Colton to already know and understand that aspect of their friendship, it shows me how serious they are about things. Both boys have grown even more and I know that if they can find a girl to love them both, they’ll do whatever it takes to make it work between them. This is a proud dad moment and I’m glad that we’re having it before they move away.

“Good. You know you can always come to us with any questions. Kaden or you. It doesn’t matter. And if your girl has any questions, I know your mom wouldn’t have any issues talkin’ her through things. It’s what family does for one another. Now, let’s go see where everyone else is so we can spend some time with them while we’re all still here together,” I say, getting off of Colton’s bed and making my way to the door with him following me.

We find everyone else gathered at the clubhouse. They’re just sitting around talking and having a good time. The boys are sharing stories from growing up as Colton and I take our seats with Jennifer, Wood, and Wade. Tonight we’re all sitting with our families instead of mingling as we normally do. It’s pretty much how things have been since we realized we would have a few extra days with our boys.

Chapter Eight

Fox

AFTER KINGSTON GOT on his daily bike, he’s been out riding a few times. Never alone, but he’s been riding. Honestly, I’m not sure what it will take for my son to get out riding alone just because he wants to again. Kim and I will always do whatever it takes to get him back where he needs to be, but if he doesn’t talk to us, we can’t help him. Killer and I have been keeping a close eye on him and have been out riding a few times. Kingston is scared to go the speed limit or even above it. Before, that never would’ve stopped him. Now, we need to push him to get him to go the slightest bit faster and I’m not sure if he’ll ever ride the same way again. I’ve tried to talk to him about buying a new sport bike and Kingston walks away. He’s not saying no or telling me he doesn’t want to get back on one. So, Killer and I have taken this over and did something we’re not sure if Kingston is gonna kill us or not.

Walking through the clubhouse, I’m searching for my son since his bike is parked out front and I know he’s here somewhere. I make my way to the back of the clubhouse where we’ve made a game room of sorts for the kids. It was made years ago and we never took everything out of it because the kids still use it every now and then when we’re all at the clubhouse. They’ve got everything in there and I know Kingston has spent a ton of time in there after his accident. He goes in there and hides away from the world while getting lost in his head. It’s not good for him, but I’m not going to make him talk to us until he gets things worked out whatever is bothering him before talking to someone else about what’s going on.

Opening the door, I find Kingston playing a game of pool by himself. He’s walking around the table and sinking one shot after another. If there’s one thing besides riding that Kingston’s good at, it’s playing pool. He’s been playing since he could reach the table and I don’t know that we’ll ever get him to stop. Right now, I watch him as he leans a little heavy on the table. That tells me his leg is bothering him and he needs to get off his feet but he doesn’t want to be around others.

“Kingston, what’s goin’ on, Son?” I ask him, finally telling him I’m in the room with him as he looks up and smiles at me.

“Nothin’. Just tryin’ to keep my head straight and not get lost again,” he answers me, setting his pool cue down on the table and limping over to me.

“You’ve been on your feet too long today. Why don’t you come with me? Killer and I have somethin’ for you,” I tell him, waiting until he gets next to me before moving from the room with him at my side.

It hasn’t happened in a long time, but when Kingston first started walking again, his leg would buckle and he fell or almost fell so many times. It frustrated my son so much and there was nothing we could do to take that feeling from him. When he finally talked to us about it, he said he felt like every step he took forward was counteracted by him falling five steps backward. We tried to make him understand that this is all part of his recovery, but he didn’t want to hear that. I get where he’s coming from, but it made things so hard because we truly can’t help him do anything mentally to get over this. This is the shit he has to work through himself and come to us when he’s ready to talk. Or tell us he’s ready to talk to a professional so he can get where he needs to be mentally.

We walk through the clubhouse and don’t pay attention to anyone coming in and settling in at the tables for our evening dinner. I think they’ll only be here another day or two and we’re all spending as much time as possible with our kids before we make the trip to Pine View. We’re all grateful for the extra time even if Vault is going insane because he wants to be back home where the storm has been horrible. Chrome has been keeping him updated on the situation back there, but I think he’s holding back. I’ve done my research and if Vault truly knew the extent of the damage in Pine View, he’d be heading back on his own right now without waiting for his wife and kids, Valor and his family, or anyone else. The pictures I’ve seen and the videos from the camera footage I’ve accessed show so much destruction. People have lost their homes, businesses, and so much in the span of a few seconds.

Kingston follows me outside where Killer and Kim are waiting for us. I watch my son carefully as we make our way over to them. Behind my wife and brother-in-law is a tarp covering up the gift for my son. After getting Kingston on the bike and making him ride with us behind the clubhouse, I know this is the only way he’s ever going to get back on a sport bike. Killer, Kim, and I talked about this for a long time before we did anything. I’m probably making the wrong move here, but I have a feeling this is what Kingston needs and I’m going to push him on this.

Accidents happen and Kingston’s was bad. He’s lucky he’s still here with us and I know that can weigh on a person mentally. Every single day he gets more confident while riding his daily bike. I hope the same can be said about this new sport bike.

“What’s goin’ on, guys?” Kingston asks, looking between all of us with confusion filling his face.

“Son, you know I love you and I’m never gonna force you to do somethin’ you’re not ready to do. However, I think in this instance you are more than ready but your fear is holdin’ you back. Kingston, you’ve already proven that you’re ready to ride and just needed a little push in the right direction. So, we’re gonna push you on this. Killer, if you’d remove the tarp,” I state, giving Killer a nod as Kim steps back just a little so she’s not in the way.

Killer removes the tarp and lets it fall to the ground on the opposite side of Kingston’s new bike. It’s a red and black Hayabusa that we searched for all over Benton Falls and the surrounding area. This isn’t the bike he had before, but I know my son has been looking at them for a long time and was seriously considering buying one a while ago. Then he had the accident and all of that fell away and he hasn’t looked at a single sport bike since that day. I can’t really blame him, but with him gaining his confidence back, I know this is the right time to do this for him. At least that’s what I’m telling myself as I wait for my son to say something about the bike.

“Where did you get this?” Kingston asks me, holding himself back from stepping closer and looking at the bike in detail like he wants to.

“It’s yours, Kingston. We know you’ve been lookin’ at these bikes for as long as I can remember. That all stopped when you got in your accident. I know you want to ride again, but you’re scared. And it’s okay to be scared. You’re still gettin’ stronger and back where you were before it happened. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Killer and I pushed you to get back on your bike and ride with us. Now, you might not ride alone yet, but you’re out there every single day ridin’ and gettin’ more confident every time you start that engine. So, we’re gonna help you get over this aspect of ridin’ too,” I tell him, stepping up and placing my hand on his shoulder because I know this shit is killing him knowing that he’s settling and not pushing himself as he has his entire life.

“Kingston, we love you,” Kim starts, tears in her eyes as she looks at our son. “We want you to break through the block holding you back and I agree with your dad and Killer buying this bike for you. It’s what you need and we know you were never gonna take that step yourself. Every day you’d make another excuse until you had nothing left. You love riding sport bikes and have since you were a little boy. Don’t give that up because of the accident. It’s already taken so much from you and I don’t want to see it continue taking things when you can control this part.”

“I’m not ready to ride a sport bike again,” Kingston finally says, his voice barely audible as Killer steps up to him.

“You are, Kingston. If I didn’t know you were ready, I never would’ve gone through with this. Your parents and I all know you’re ready to get on this bike and ride. Your dad even talked to someone he knows and got himself a sport bike on loan so he could go out ridin’ with you. Take this ride with him. You got your gear in the clubhouse and your dad has borrowed some for the day. Go out and ride with him like you want to,” Killer states, not moving from in front of my son as Kingston looks over his uncle’s shoulder at the bike once again. “I’ll even take my bike with you and ride so if you’re truly not comfortable you can ride my bike back to the clubhouse and I’ll bring this one back.”

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