Page 67 of Memphis

“Trouble should be my middle name, but quiet should be a good thing. It means no one’s fucking with the club.”

“At least for the time being.”

“So, nothing more from the Vipers?”

“Not as of late.” Shep motioned his head over at Dad. “Prez got word to their leader and made it clear that if war was what they wanted then war was what they were gonna get, and if they pulled one more stunt, it was on. And it’s been radio silence from them ever since.”

“You think it’s really done?”

“Not a chance.”

His words hit me like a punch in the gut. I was still processing when my phone chimed with a message. I grabbed it out of my pocket and glanced down at the screen, and I got a second punch of the day.

Mom:

I’m leaving Carmine.

Antonia

“It sucks so much.”

“I know it does, and I’m so sorry.”

“It just doesn’t make any sense. I thought things were going so well.” Mark’s voice was heavy with heartbreak when he said, “He checked all the boxes, you know? And I thought I did the same for him.”

Mark had been a mess all day at the office. I’d asked him to meet me for dinner, so he could finally talk about the breakup. I had no idea just how hurt he really was until he said, “He said it was too much too soon, that he was losing himself in us. He said he felt suffocated, which I don’t get. We’d only been seeing each other for a couple of months. I hadn’t had time to suffocate him. I guess I was too much for him.”

“Well, that says more about him than it does you because you’re one of the best people I know.” I hoped it would make him feel better when I said, “You’re supportive and caring, and you love wholeheartedly. If he couldn’t see that, then maybe he wasn’t the right one for you.”

“No, this is on me. I was too clingy.” Mark shook his head, tears glistening in his eyes. “I tried to give him space, but I guessit wasn’t enough, and that hurts, you know? I thought we had something special. I thought we could make it work.”

“I know, but this is his loss, Mark. I mean that. You’re a great guy, and you deserve someone who appreciates everything you are and everything you do.”

“If I’m such a great guy, then why am I alone?”

“It’s just that you haven’t found the right guy yet, but you will.”

“And what am I supposed to do until then?”

“You just have to be patient.” I shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have a little fun. Call your crew and hit the bars. Party a little. It might do you good.”

“Yeah, I could do that.” His hurt expression faded into a faint smile. “You should come with us.”

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m beyond exhausted. I just want to go home, take a hot bath, and then crawl into bed.”

“That sounds kind of nice.”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

“Well, I’ll let you get to it.” Mark gave me a warm smile. “Thanks for talking this out with me. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course. Anytime.”

“So, you’re headed home?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long day, and we’ve got another long one tomorrow.”

“So, you’re definitely coming in?”

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