Page 4 of Creed

Not exactly what I dreamed of when I was a kid, but here I am.

Most people, when you ask them what they are good at, say something like I’m good with a wrench or computers or something. Me? I’m good with my fists. Learned early in life to defend myself from assholes like my old man who liked to get drunk and slap their family around. If you ask my father, his memory differs vastly from mine.

In his eyes I was a troubled little shit with mommy issues.

Maybe I was, but he was still a lousy father. He’s always hated me because I have my mother’s smile, and she didn’t want him. Still can’t mention them to each other. Too much bad blood. They divorced when I was five and when she left, she didn’t take me with her. Bounced between my grandmother’s and different relatives until my father married my stepmother. God rest her soul. She tried to mother me, but I was too old for that shit by the time she entered my life with her brat of a daughter, Charlotte. Aka Lottie. My terror of a stepsister who loved to make my life hell.

She was tempting and gorgeous.

Off limits.

But I couldn’t resist the challenge of conquering the forbidden. Sneaking around with her. Stealing kisses. Loving the thrill making her mine gave me. Until my father found out and put me out on my ass. I left Lottie a note asking her to come with me. When she didn’t show up at thepark, I knew she’d made her choice, and it wasn’t me. It was probably for the best, but that shit was my first real heartbreak.

All that stuff feels like it was a lifetime ago. Sharon passed away about ten years ago. Was the last time I spoke to my old man or Lottie. If you could call it speaking.

My actual family never wanted me, so I found my own with the guys I grew up with. We’ve always had each other’s backs. I won’t let them down.

Not then.

Not now.

Not ever.

I run another lap around the park, waiting for my target. He has a schedule that he sticks with, like clockwork. Every morning, he jogs around this park. Alone. Unprotected, unsuspecting. A man like him only fears what people would think of him if they knew the truth. He’s a functioning alcoholic who loves to take out his frustrations on his wife with his fists.

Reminds me of my own father. A real bastard.

When I crack his skull on the pavement, it will appear like a freak accident and his poor wife will collect the hefty life insurance policy. She’s earned it for all the abuse she’s endured by his hands. Stupid fuck will never see it coming.

When the police investigate, they’ll suspect he tripped on the fallen wet leaves due to the worn tread of his running shoes.

Sometimes it’s almost too easy.

Almost.

He rounds the corner of the path, tripping like I knew he would over the wire, unable to stop himself due to his brisk speed. His eyes meet mine on the way down, his lips curving into a shocked expression. A perfect O, ready to scream. I crouch down next to him as his head is about to bounce off the pavement, placing a jagged rock with a sharp edge there to meet him. Like I said, it is almost too easy. An unfortunate accident.

Once he ceases breathing in this world and I’m back at the clubhouse, I check my voicemail after my shower.

“Fuck me, man. Can you send someone to pick me up? Where do you live again?” Ghoul asks some chick and repeats the address to the fucking clubhouse.

Fucking idiot.

I dial him back.

“You’ve got Ghoul. I’m balls deep in your mom’s snatch. Leave a message.”

Like I said. Idiot.

In the comfort of my bed, I kick back, and doom scroll social media. Ember posted new pictures of the baby. My heart cracks slightly at the images. If things had been different, they coulda been mine. I want a family someday, just not currently. I heart react to the images and leave her a comment. ‘Happy looks goodon you, beautiful.’

My comment isn’t an empty sentiment. I am happy for her and Smoke. Even if I think he’s a prick who doesn’t deserve her. I’ve gotta get past that shit. He won. I should have brought one of the bitches that hang around to my room to blow me. Instead, I’m in my room like some poor sap, feeling sorry that I haven’t moved on since my road trip with Ember.

Twilah Jane is always down to fuck even though she likes to play it like she’s shy. Bitch is a freak and would smother gravy on my dick and lick it off if I’d let her. Then there’s Darlene with her flat ass and Kitty with her pierced cunt. Slim pickings. But that’s what you get in a piss poor town with one fucking street.

I think even the prospects have fucked all three of them by now. I like to get off as much as the next man, but I’m tiring of convenient pussy.

I need the thrill of the chase.

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