Page 61 of Shame

Cora doesn’t answer my texts. I know today was her father’s procedure, so I’m sure she’s busy, but I’d like to know she’s okay. She didn’t outright tell me about the stuff going on with her father, and it hurts a little, but I have to respect her privacy. It’s a good thing I was at the diner when her friend mentioned it or I wouldn’t know anything at all. I keep hoping she’ll open up to me about it—and other stuff—but I can’t force her. Learned that the hard way with my brother. The more I go at him, the more of an asshole he is. Cora isn’t my brother, but I know she’s stubborn, so I’m pretty sure she’d react the same way. Plus, I’m still not in her good graces after my last fuck up.

“Where’s everyone at?”

I look up and see Coyote grilling me, waiting for an answer.

“How the fuck should I know?” I bark back.

“Because you’re the fucking VP. It’s your job to babysit.”

I huff out a disbelieving laugh. “You fucking kidding me right now?” I get to my feet and step to him.

“Not even close. Someone has to keep an eye on these fucking toddlers.”

“Yeah? And what the fuck have you been doing?”

“Trying to handle our shit!” he shouts right in my face.

I don’t know what crawled up his ass, but whatever it is better vacate immediately. I am in no mood to deal with his fucking attitude, and I will lay him out cold.

“By getting us nearly killed?” I ask, knowing I fucked up the moment I say it. I mean, I don’t regret it, and I guess it isn’t actually a fuck up, just that it’s going to piss him off. And it does. Cause the jackass swings on me—and fucking misses.

I duck, giving him a shove. He stumbles back, whirling on me, ready to throw another punch when Grizz walks in. I see him from the corner of my eye. He freezes the second he realizes what’s happening, but then he lunges forward, getting Coyote around the waist and moving him away from me before I knock his head clean off his shoulders.

“What the fuck is going on in here?” Grizz shouts. keeping a wrestling Coyote away from me. “What are we fighting for?”

“That fucking prick came at me for no good goddamn reason!” I bark, jabbing my finger in his direction.

“Bullshit! You’ve been giving me hell since I took over, and I’m tired of it.”

Grizz, for some reason, lets him go. He keeps his distance, though.

“Because we all know your stupid ass don’t wanna be here!”

“Like hell I don’t!” he bellows, spit flying everywhere. He smacks his hand against his chest. “This is my family, too. My father was part of this too!”

“And you always made it clear how not into it you were. You don’t fucking deserve your title.”

“Okay, guys, let’s calm down, yeah?” Grizz says, moving between us and holding his arms out to push us away if need be.

My heart is fucking pounding, my hands itching to knock Coyote out. This argument was a long-time coming.

A few other guys walk in, but I can’t make out who it is. My vision is blurry. I’m so fucking mad.

“In the meeting room,” Grizz says, jerking his head toward the door. Neither of us move. “Now!”

With a growl, I shove past him and storm into the room, wanting to put my fist through the wall. When I turn around, I find Coyote on the other end of the room and Grizz shutting the door.

“Tell me what the fuck is going on?” Grizz asks, looking between the both of us. Considering he’s the enforcer, he’s pretty good at handling shit. Not that he’s going to have me and Coyote kissing and making up or anything, but at least he knows what to say and how to break up a fight.

“This prick walked in with an attitude, giving me shit!” I shout, pointing at Coyote.

“I asked him where everyone was for a fucking meeting,” he growls back.

“Bull-fucking-shit!” I yell. “You told me I was a fucking babysitter!”

Grizz mutters something under his breath, shaking his head.

“You both need to chill the fuck out. We can’t have the Prez and the VP going at each other. What the fuck is going to happen to this club?”

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