Page 19 of Blood & Ash

She shrugs. “I think he’s going to dump me for LuLu Hixson.”

“Then he’s an idiot.”

“She puts out.”

I nearly choke on my spit. What the fuck am I supposed to say to this shit? “Boys at your age only care about their needs. Don’t waste your time on them. Focus on your education, yeah?”

“Is that how you were when you and Shelby were in school?”

“Probably.”

“Are you still that way?”

“Don’t be asking me shit like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll meet you at my truck.” I get Ash buckled into his baby carrier and make sure he’s got a change of clothes and extra diapers. I should have just ordered her a pizza. But I know she needs some normality.

Maybe I need to fix up the one of the stash houses to give them a home. I have the house Pops bought back in the day for my mother, but when she took off, he moved me to the clubhouse. Candyce was right about it only taking one wrong move to put Ashley in an unpleasant situation.

I’m responsible for whatever happens to her and Ash.

I can hire someone to cook, clean and watch over them when I’m working. I can make this work.

I’ve got to.

I sit the baby carrier on the bar top and light up a cigarette while I call Goose. I hold the phone out from my ear. “Keep an eye on him,” I order one of the prospects.

“What if he starts crying?”

“Pour him a drink.”

“He’s a baby,” he mutters.

“No shit, Sherlock. Just watch him. Fuck. He’s sleeping.”

“Blood. You there?”

“Yeah. Sorry, man. Was dealing with this stupid as fuck prospect. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“I’m on tow duty. Why?”

“Never mind. Who’s off? I need someone to help me clean out the Pop’s house.”

“Why not have the prospects do it?”

“Would you trust them with that much firepower?” My old man was always a gun enthusiast, but the last thing I need is one of his guns falling into the wrong hands.

“Point taken.”

“I’ll catch you up later.”

“Sounds good, brother. Mom said if you need extra hands to watch the baby to give her a call.”

“Perfect. I’ll get up with her.” Goose’s mom has always been family to the club. Even when she split from Eightball. When we were in about sixth grade, she’d finally had enough with him fucking around with every whore who flashed him their ass. Packed his shit up and dropped it at the clubhouse. Moved in another man the same day.

I swear I saw Eightball cry that day. Was the only time. Martina never looked his way again. He tried every way in the world to win her back. Beat her boyfriend’s ass a few times too, but no matter what he tried, she wouldn’t forgive him. But if we needed her, she always showed up for us.

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