Page 79 of Pooh

“Yeah, I remember him. I helped him to his truck. Why? What about him?” Trigger questions.

“He was there with Craig’s mom, Katrena. She brought him there and he didn’t want to leave when Pips told him to,” I add. “She pepper sprayed his ass.”

“He called here today. Said he didn’t want any more trouble with the club. Said he didn’t know where the kid’s mom is,” Gunner says. “Said one of you convinced him to keep his distance from New Horizons the night before last.”

Trigger and I look at one another and then look back to Gunner. I’m confused about what’s going on because I haven’t seen that guy since the day Pippa sprayed him. By the look on Trigger’s face, he is too.

“Apparently, you two didn’t do the convincing. Huh. He was adamant it was a club member, but he didn’t know which one. It doesn’t matter to me who it was. But, get this. He was hysterical on the phone and mentioned having to go to the E.R. but I didn’t get much more out of him other than a dozen apologies. So, I had Rex do some digging.”

At this point, Gunner starts laughing again, and it lasts for a moment before he gets control and continues filling us in.

“Rex found that a Mr. Conner Patterson walked into the E.R. that night needing help. He wouldn’t tell the staff what happened, or name anyone, even when the cops were called. His hands had been duct taped together behind his back, now loose, and he had a toilet seat super-glued to his naked ass. He had tried to cover himself with a towel but parts were peeking out anyway. And the cherry on top of his shit sundae was something called a ball and cock cage attached with some heavy weights dangling below. He was forced to sit on his toilet, which turned out to be covered in super glue, after his hands were duct taped and the cage was put on him. He yelled for help until his neighbor found him and drove him to the hospital.”

At this point, we are all laughing so hard that Trigger slides down the wall to land on his ass on the floor. My sides are hurting and Gunner is wiping tears from his eyes.

“So, are you both denying that you had anything to do with that?”

“I didn’t, Gunner. Though I wish I would have thought of something like that,” I tell him.

“Me neither. But I’ll buy a case of beer for whoever did,” Trigger chuckles.

“Why does he think it was a club member?” I ask.

“He said he heard a bike roar off after the guy left his house. He said we’re the only bikers he knows and the only ones he’s pissed off. I’m guessing having a toilet seat and a cock and ball cage removed has to ruin a guy’s night.”

“Fuck, that’s priceless. Wish I knew who to thank,” Trigger says.

“First, Ralph’s house getting duct taped, and now this guy’s boy tools get caged. Someone has a wicked sense of humor,” Gunner tells us as we all stand and walk into the main room.

Most of the guys are still hanging around, bullshitting and having a beer, so I walk to the bar and take a seat next to Vex. On the stool on the other side of him is Duffy. He’s sprawled out across the stool with one paw on Vex’s thigh. The damn cat is as obsessed with Vex as most women are.

“Hey Vex. What’s up?” I ask as I slide onto my stool.

“Not a fucking thing,” he answers in a bored monotone voice.

“Why don’t you follow me to Pippa’s and have dinner with us? I’m picking up some steaks on the way home. We’ll have a good meal and a few beers.”

“Thanks, man, but no. I’m going to sit here until I’m drunk off my ass and then crash for the night. Give Pippa a hug from me and tell the kid I said hi,” he answers before rapping his knuckles on the bar and pointing to his empty beer bottle when Toes looks our direction.

Before I can respond to that, Gunner asks for everyone’s attention, and then tells the story of poor Mr. Conner Patterson. With the room in an uproar of loud laughter, I look around to see if I can tell who might have done the deed. Not one face looks guilty or unsurprised. Not that I care that it happened, or that a club brother took matters into his own hands, but it would be nice to know who did.

Toes sets a beer bottle in front of me and Vex and then adds a bottle of Jack. Vex picks up his beer, the Jack and walks out. Doesn’t say a word, just walks away. Guess I need a shower.

-*- -*- -*- -*-

“Feeling better yet?” I ask as I look down at Craig, who’s lying on the couch watching TV.

“A little, yeah. I ate some of Ava’s soup and it was good,” he answers.

I feel his forehead and he feels normal now. Thank God! I was worried about the little guy but it looks like he’s bouncing back. Before leaving the compound, I checked on Bella and she too is doing better. Only Axel seems to still be just as sick and most of his is probably in his head.

I toss some potatoes in the oven to bake and Pippa makes a salad. I grab a quick shower and then grill some steaks. Craig eats a decent meal, protests loudly over his bath and then trudges off to bed. While Pippa is cleaning up the bathroom, I read Craig a story. He snuggles down in his bed and I lay next to him, propped up on the headboard. It wouldn’t be a tight fit but he’s got this huge ass teddy bear squished in between us with his head resting on it. I grin knowing that Chubs brought him a bear that’s larger than the kid.

After reading a few stories to him, Craig looks up and asks, “If I have another bad dream, can I sleep with you?”

“Of course, Craig. Or I’ll come in here and hang with you until you get back to sleep. But I doubt you’ll have another bad dream now that you have a bear to look out for you,” I answer. “What’s his name?”

“I don’t know yet. Maybe Bella can help me name him,” Craig states.

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