Page 82 of Blue

Rogue grunted. “You’re smart. Brawn never beats brains.” He smiled. “You could kick his and anyone else’s ass if you plan for the fight.”

“Blue.” Any anger dissipated from Bullet’s eyes. “I know you’re pissed. You got a right to be. I fucked up. I should’ve had your back. You’ve always had mine. You’re right on another thing. I was blind to everything but Stormy.”

Kiss and I had been collateral damage. I tipped my head back, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled my hate.

Bullet approached, pulled me into a hug, and slapped my back.

I stiffened at the embrace. If he felt my discomfort, he didn’t care. He tightened his hold. “I’m sorry, Blue. Whatever fucked up shit is going on with you, you need to know you’ve got us.” He released me and took a step back. “Hellers have rules and bylaws.” His gaze shifted to Rogue.

“Fuck the rules.” Rogue leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his massive chest. “We got your back, Blue. We’re brothers, and you never have to fight alone.”

Bullet bent and picked up his pencil. “We good?” he asked me.

I nodded.

“Good. Quit the shop. I need you at Indulgence.”

“Fuck you.” I smiled and picked up the bar. “I’m not fucking your girls on camera.”

Bullet laughed. “You’re never going to lose your road name.”

Whether I fucked my girl or not, I wasn’t touching anyone except Kiss. They could keep on believing I had blue balls.

I spent the next couple of hours working in the studio. Once the bars were up, we cleared, cleaned, and prepped the floor for the new hardwood.

Calling it a day, Rogue and Bullet stood in front of the building and smoked a cigarette. I kicked back, sitting on the curb, and sent Kiss a text. I hadn’t heard from her, but I assumed she was home.

Blue: On my way home. Are you hungry?

My phone vibrated with a call. I touched the button and answered.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi.” Hearing her voice had the knots in my gut unfurling.

“I’m leaving the shop.” Before I could ask her what she’d like for dinner, she jumped into the conversation.

“I’m going to be a little while longer. There’s another meeting in a couple minutes. They have a special guest speaker.” She could barely catch her breath with her excitement. “Oh, and now I have a sponsor.”

“You’ve been at the community center all day?”

“Not all day. After we went to lunch, all of us went to this coffee shop a couple blocks from Eminence University. We need to go there. You’d love the totally cool vibe.”

“You went with your sponsor?” I did sound like a pussy. I glanced to Bullet and Rogue. I could tell they were trying not to listen. Fuck it. I’d be a pussy. I missed her. “What time will you be home?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice lowered. “Are you mad?”

“Nah.” I wasn’t mad, just apparently jealous of addicts. “I’ll see you later.”

“I won’t be late. The meeting lasts an hour.”

I could handle that.

“We’re heading over to the MC,” Bullet said. “You coming?”

“Yeah.” I had an hour to kill.

Rogue and Bullet waited on their bikes while I let Blade and Torch know I was heading out. Then we rolled out of the parking lot and rode off toward the clubhouse.

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