Brick tensed up. This was the first time he had heard a senior member say anything negative about another. Walrus must trust me. Why else would he say somethin’ ’bout my father? Keeping secrets was not the code Brick thought the club should live by, but he planned on keeping the older man’s confidence.
He chose his words carefully. “Jesse and Blackjack have been fightin’ a lot. I figured it was more than just Deuce.”
Walrus sighed. “Yeah, them two get into it every day over something. It’s gonna boil over soon, an’ God help us when it does. I said I’m too old for this shit, an’ I meant it. We need us some strong new blood to get in there an’ get this club right, else we ain’t gonna be around much longer. You’re a smart man, and I can see you takin’ us where we need to go. You follow what I’m sayin’?”
The intensity of Walrus’s eyes bored through Brick. It was as if the world had landed on his shoulders and was asking if he could hold it up. “I follow you.”
“Here ya go. You boys want any ketchup or hot sauce?” Betsey plunked two plates in front of them along with two red plastic cups.
Brick picked up a fry and popped it in his mouth. “I’m good, sweetheart.”
She smiled and turned away. Brick reached out to grab her wrist. He lifted her hand and lightly kissed the back. Dishwashing soap was her perfume for the night, but he didn’t mind. “I’ll see you later, baby.”
She turned beet red and rushed away.
“You sweet on her?” Walrus had doused his plate in ketchup and had an impressive amount already smeared on his bushy mustache.
Brick picked up his burger, and a few drops of grease landed on the plate. “If I ever do it, that's the woman I'll marry.”