Page 2 of Renegade

He tossed a small wrapped package into my hands and I tore into it. It was aSega Game Gear—Luke, one of the kids on my bus had one and I spent almost every morning and afternoon, watching over his shoulder. I never imagined that I’d have one of my own.

“Thank you, s—Grey.”

He slapped a hand lightly against my shoulder, guiding me over to the door. “How about we head downstairs and get this party started? I think your mama might even have cake.”

I swallowed hard and stopped in my tracks. “Um, can I just stay up here? I could play my new game.”

Grey’s jaw tightened and I immediately flinched before forcing myself to stare him in the eyes like a man. He knelt down again. “Your dad’s working late tonight. I brought Celia and Kate with me though and I know they’d love to see you.”

I shrugged halfheartedly. “Kate’s only three…she’s pretty much still a baby. Did you bring anyone my age?”

He laughed and the booming sound of it brought a smile to my face. “Run on down, kid, and see for yourself.”

I took the stairs two at a time and rounded the corner to see Kate and Grey’s wife, Celia, along with a handful of my friends from school. My friends looked up in awe as Grey made his way down the stairs and I puffed up my chest in pride.

Sometimes, I pretended that Grey was my dad and tried to imagine how different my life would be. I bet my friends could come over every day; he didn’t seem like he’d care at all.

My mama was even smiling—she didn’t do that when my dad was around. She just kept her head down and tried to stay out of his way. It didn’t work though, she always messed something up and made him mad.

As my friends gathered around to see myGame Gear, I pushed thoughts of my dad away. This was the best birthday I’d ever had—I wasn’t going to waste it by thinking of him.

“I said get up.”

I blinked against the darkness and rolled over. “Grey?”

The mocking laughter I got in response was like a bucket of ice water being dumped on my head. “You think Grey’s showing up here in the middle of the night to take you somewhere? Get up, Junior.”

I quickly kicked the covers off and stood up. Maybe he wanted to wish me a happy birthday before morning. He tossed a shirt and some jeans over to me and I put them on without question.

He held a finger to his lips and I nodded before following him downstairs. We got out to his truck when he told me the real reason we were sneaking out. “You’re eleven now. It’s time you learned the ropes. You’re a man now.”

I don’t know what I expected, but him calling me a man filled me with pride. He didn’t see me as a scrawny kid anymore, but someone just like him. I knew this was going to be the best birthday ever. I’d stared in the mirror earlier, but I didn’t look any different than I did when I was ten. My dad must’ve seen something though.

I tried to contain my excitement as I buckled into the passenger seat, flexing my bicep as I did it.

We drove until the city lights gave way to darkness and the desert landscape became more rugged. My dad turned onto a dirt road and we descended into a canyon.

He parked the truck in front of an old motel straight out of a western. It was even namedThe Wagon Wheel, I guessed, although several letters had fallen off over the years leaving behindThe ago eel.

I jumped out and walked over to where a group of motorcycles were parked only to be yanked backward.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Junior. You ain’t gonna just waltz in there. I need you to wait right here and keep your damn mouth shut.” He adjusted his leather vest before stepping around me.

I kicked a patch of gravel angrily once he went inside. If he really thought I was a man, he’d have brought me inside to meet his club—I recognized Grey’s bike down near the end. Maybe he was afraid I’d embarrass him like some child.

Two guys came around from the side of the motel and immediately caught me messing around near the bikes.

“What are you doing out here, kid?” One shouted as he caught me by the back of my t-shirt.

I tried to shake myself loose, but the guy had a death grip on me. “Let me go!” I yelled, before bringing my foot down on top of his boot.

I think he was more surprised than hurt, but he loosened his grip enough for me to escape. I bolted for the door before both men could catch me and was promptly met by a gun to my head.

“Well, well, well. You thinkin’ of patching in, kid?” The man in front of me grinned, his teeth stained almost black from years of smoking.

“You gonna step away from my boy or you need some help, Wolverine?” My dad kept his voice calm, but the threat was unmistakable.

Wolverine holstered his gun just as the two men from outside burst in. I probably would’ve lost my head had they barged in just a few seconds earlier. I clenched my shaking hands into fists, praying that no one noticed.

---