Page 41 of Shame

“—members of two rival motorcycle clubs tore apart a bar just over an hour ago.” I whirl around to stare at the female news anchors on the TV as they continue to cover the story.

“We don’t have information on what started this brawl, but Angel’s is known by many as a popular biker bar mostly frequented by the Iron Runners. It’s no secret to many that they’re rivals of the Merciless Few Motorcycle club, which begs the question: Why were the MFMC there at all?”

A pit forms in my stomach, and I make my way to the couch to sit down. There’re a hundred things running through my mind right now. Mostly worry. But disappointment is lingering too.

Is this all too good to be true?

“The fight broke out around eight pm tonight, and it took officials nearly half an hour to break it up. Some of the men have been taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries while a few others are in custody. The MCs and the officials tend to keep to themselves, handling business on their own, but when something of this magnitude comes about, officials say they can’t turn a blind eye. Here is Shelly McFray with more on the story.”

The anchor woman stares into the camera before it pans to another woman who is outside a bar I’ve never seen before. According to the information on the bottom of the screen, it’s a couple towns over.

“Thank you, Sandra. I’m here at Angel’s bar in Hunt Creek, where a terrible bar fight broke out earlier this evening—”

I shut the TV off and lean back on the couch, my stomach full of knots. I have no right to be mad at Kaison for this—this is his job. But I am angry. He couldn’t have called? He just left me here waiting? I don’t like relying on people for things, which is why I never do. I shouldn’t have told him it was okay to fix my washer, because now here we are. Or, here I am, I guess. Alone. Sitting here like a sap, waiting for him to show up, whenhe has no intention of doing so. Or even letting me know that he won’t.

This event that happened at the bar? It was planned. He knew before it happened. Hell, he had to drive all the way there. At no point could he have sent a text?

Maybe I’m expecting too much. After all, wasn’t I the one who told himhecouldn’t have expectations?

We hardly know each other. We have separate lives. But if something happened with Dad and I had to cancel on him, I’d at least tell him. Don’t I deserve the same courtesy? I only want respect. Is that too much to ask for?

I guess this is why it’s been so long since I’ve dated anyone. The disappointment is not worth the excitement.

Chapter Thirteen

Kaison

The hospital waiting room is packed full of big rough guys with a shit ton of black eyes, bloody knuckles, and busted lips. They have extra security detail and cops standing between us all because fights keep breaking out. They stand between us like a wall, waiting to tase anyone who thinks they’re tougher than the other. Usually we handle shit ourselves and the cops don’t get involved, but the fight was too big, the cops too close, and us too slow to get away. Besides, Rhino got fucked up pretty badly, and he needed medical attention. Doctor said he should be fine, but that doesn’t mean he will be. Though they’ve got three of their guys in here being checked, we will retaliate for them getting one up on Rhino.

We went there to settle this shit with them, to make sure they know to stay off our turf and quit fucking around. Their Prez got mouthy. Ours did too. And we stepped up to back our Prez because that’s what we do. There’s more of them than there areof us, and the fact more of their guys are here in the hospital says a lot. Serves them right for coming into our town, messing up our shit. They have no respect for our people and the kids in our town, and we will not stand for that shit. Not for a second. I’ll stay in that bar every goddamn night if I have to, just to show them we ain’t playing around.

Cops have a few of their guys, plus Coyote and Grizz. Grilling them about what happened, I’m sure. None of them will give anything away. We all know we don’t say shit about shit, even if we hate the others. We handle things ourselves, and tonight is no different. Even if we did go there to rile them up, they ain’t going to rat us out. It doesn’t work that way. What they’re going to do is get revenge—or try. Because we’re ready for those fucking pricks. If we don’t go back and get them first for what they did to Rhino—which we will.

“Yo, Shark, take a fucking seat,” Bullseye says. I glare and he raises a brow, so I finally just take a seat. My guys aren’t the ones I should be fighting with.

“This is goddamn bullshit,” I sneer.

“Fucking right it is,” my brother answers. His head is rested back against the wall, eyes closed. I think one is swollen shut. He’s got a fat lip too. He’s the reason one of their guys is in surgery though. Broke his forearm with his bare hands. Guy won’t be riding for a while. Too bad, so fucking sad.

Haven’t looked at myself in the mirror, but my head fucking hurts. I caught a few to the face, but nothing feels broken. Worst was the taste of blood in my mouth, but all my teeth are there,so that’s something. There ain’t much I give a fuck about when it comes to looks, but if I lose my chompers, I’m not going to be a happy guy. I’m proud of these pearly whites.

“So, what’s up? Have you heard anything?”

I look up to see Ghost and Tank looking at me, and I can’t tell which of them said it. They’re cousins, but they look and sound much the fucking same.

“Nothing more than you have,” I spit out.

“Okay, brother. Was just asking,” Tank says, shaking his head and walking away. Ghost follows him. Which is exactly how he got his name. He’s like a fucking ghost, hovering after people. And he’s silent as fuck on his feet, even if he weighs about three hundred pounds.

I run a hand over my face and lean back, crossing my arms over my chest.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I pull it out to look at it.

Coyote: Free and on our way.

“Coyote and Grizz are on their way!” I shout loud enough for everyone to hear. There are sounds of approval on this side, but growls on the other. “Yo, you got a fucking problem with that?” I shout, getting to my feet.

“Take it easy, big guy,” the one and only female cop says. She steps to me, giving me a cute smirk. Bet that works on all the guys, but it ain’t going to work on me. I scowl at her and go back to my seat. Fuck all these asshole cops who think they’re big shit because they get called in to handle small town matters.Obviously they ain’t too busy where they are or they wouldn’t be free to come here.

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