Page 40 of Rex

“No, there’s something. At first, I put it down to you being exhausted from the hours you put in looking for Chubs. Then I blamed your workload here. Now, I’m thinking it’s more than any of that. So, what gives?”

Closing my laptop, I focus on my club brother. Taking a deep breath, I try to answer without giving anything away.

“Nothing serious. Just restless, I guess. Realized I’m creeping up on my late thirties, and I’m still alone. I think I’m not as big on the single life as I used to be. I look at Gunner, Petey, you, and the others’ lives, and I like what I see.”

“There’s someone out there for you, Rex. I never expected to find that person for myself, and yet here I am, married and happy as hell about it. When I least expected it, Ivy came into my life and flipped it upside down. You’ll find that person too.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m just getting impatient, I guess,” I answer.

“I better get to work, but if I can help, let me know.”

I nod, and Pigeon stands and heads for the door. Impulsively, I speak again.

“You’d have my back even if I chose someone that might cause a ripple through the club, right?”

“Absolutely. Even if it’s that fucktard Reeves, I’ll support your decision,” Pigeon responds with a grin. “The brothers would always back you, too.”

Pigeon leaves, and while I appreciate his words, I’m not sure all the brothers would agree.

Cash and I are sitting at a table in the clubhouse, waiting for the rest to arrive for Church. Cash starts to say something, stops, barks out a laugh, and points behind me. Turning, I watch Snots and Gee waddle side by side across the room. Gee’s wearing a bright blue shirt with the words “Pork Axel” printed in large, glittery silver letters across it. Snots is wearing the same shirt, but the words on his read “Times 2.” Laughing, I look around the room until I see Pooh, grinning huge and watching the door. No doubt he’s waiting for Axel to see his latest stunt. I laugh again when I read the print on Pooh’s t-shirt: “It’s a boy!”

“Axel’s been on edge all week, waiting for Aria’s payback. Pooh’s going to end up being Axel’s stress reliever when he beats his ass for the dog and pig shirts,” Cash states.

“Incoming!” someone shouts, and I automatically duck my head.

Mac lands on our table, but he does it more as a sideways slide and topples over the far edge.

“Fuck me,” Mac says with a groan as I lean down and grab his feet.

Hoisting him up, I hold him upside down but facing me.

“Prissy took your ass right out of the air, Mac. You two fighting again?” Cash asks with a laugh.

Mac twists his head around to face Cash before squawking loudly, “Bitches be dangerous!”

“Heard that, Mac!” Ava shouts at him as she walks toward the kitchen.

“All bitches be dangerous,” Mac says but does so in a near whisper. “Getting dizzy, Rex.”

I shift him upright and set his feet on the table. Mac shakes hard and ruffles all his feathers before doing a slow look around the room. When he doesn’t see any nearby threats, he visibly relaxes.

Candy stops next to our table and holds her hand out to Mac. He eyes her hand then takes one step back.

“Step up, Mac,” Candy orders. “Ava wants you in the kitchen with her.”

“Don’t wanna,” Mac responds.

“Step up now,” Candy orders but does so in a sterner tone.

“Nope,” the feathered menace answers.

“Do it now, or I’ll pluck every fucking feather from your body!” Candy shouts while leaning down into Mac’s face.

Mac immediately steps onto her hand. Candy turns to walk off, bird balancing on her hand, when Mac turns his head to me and Cash.

“Every damn one of them!” Mac screeches as Candy carries him to the kitchen.

“Never a dull moment. I love it here,” Lars, Cash’s dad, says with a cackle as he stops his wheelchair next to his son.

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