Page 4 of Patching Over

I grin because this time of year, we’re as likely to get snow as anything. While I hate the thought of putting my bike up for the pending winter, I’m grateful I’ve got my truck serviced and ready to go. “Yeah, hopefully, some of the guys who aren’t used to it heeded my suggestion to pack for anything.”

“You ready for all of this?” Declan asks.

“Getting used to the idea after this past year. I mean, it was weird being a prospect again, but I’m grateful as hell that Jameson didn’t go to the extremes that all of us lived through when we first started out, you know?”

He nods, grinning. The worst we had was when we were ‘requested’ to come to a rally. Instead of partying it up like in years past, we watched over the bikes. A few runs to assist other chapters, constant drop-in visits to keep us on our toes; the past year has been challenging, but I don’t regret making the decision to patch our club over to the Royal Bastards. I’ve noticed for some time that there are things going on around our neck of the woods that go against everything me and the club stand for so with a bigger brotherhood, hopefully we can put a stop to it all. “It’s almost time, brother. I’m sure it’s surreal for you guys.”

“You don’t know the half of it. I had to let them know in church this morning that some of our brothers have unique qualities, so they don’t freak the fuck out.” That causes both of them to chuckle.

“Yeah, you could say we’re a rowdy band of misfits and you wouldn’t be wrong,” Axel says.

“How about we head out into the main room? I suspect more brothers will start arriving and I need to show my face, not hide in my office,” I question, looking at the two men who will soon be my brothers.

As if we choreographed it, the three of us stand then head out, with me locking my door against prying eyes. All of the legit stuff is readily accessible, the other things are safely put away where no one will ever find them.

CHAPTER

TWO

Brick

I’m now at my usual table, three pitchers of fresh beer and frosty mugs in the middle, shooting the shit with Axel, Declan, and Banshee. I spot Rooster heading in our direction and grin. “Hey, brother, what’s up?”

“Not much, Pres, just thought I’d get started on the list of what folks want in their mini fridges,” he replies, looking over at Axel and Declan. “Any particular beer? Water? Soda? One of them mini coffee pot things that uses pods for morning coffee?”

I chuckle at the looks on their faces. “We know there’re going to be a shit ton of folks here, and while I’ll need to be present for most of it, that doesn’t mean that y’all or anyone else won’t wanna get away for a bit. Might as well be comfortable while you’re doing it. The televisions are hooked up as well and we left a channel guide by the remote.”

Now both of them are laughing. “Fuck, this is better than any five-star hotel I’ve ever stayed at,” Declan finally gets out. He pulls out his wallet despite seeing me shake my head in the negative and says, “Yeah, man, because I’ve got expensive tastes.Don’t mind chipping in because this shindig is gonna cost you a fucking mint. I like Dos Equis, either Smart Water or one like it, fruit punch Gatorade, green Monsters, and medium roast coffee pods. No creamer, no sugar.”

“Got it,” Rooster states. “How about you, Axel?” he asks, briefly glancing at his cut.

“Except for the beer, which would be Natty Lite for me, everything else is the same,” he says, pulling out his own wallet and tossing more money onto what Declan already laid down.

“No problem. Gonna see what the others want as they arrive then head out, Pres.”

“‘Preciate it, brother,” I state.

As the night wears on, a few more brothers from other charters arrive, including the crew from Tonopah Valley. Standing, I walk over to where Grim, Rael and Shadow stand, their very presence creating an aura of danger in a room full of badasses. “Grim,” I state, my hand out. He looks at it before pulling me in for a bone-crushing hug.

“Glad we were able to make it out,” he says before the other two repeat his actions.

“I am as well.”

“Did you tell your club about us?” Rael asks, a smirk on his face.

“Just that some of our brothers from other charters had abilities that were outside the norm,” I advise. “Figured they’d need to know that considering who the fuck knows what’ll happen while everyone’s around, y’know?”

“Probably wise to do that,” Grim intones.

Before I can say anything else, Rooster rushes over, introduces himself and once again, gets their orders for their rooms. He shakes his head when Shadow tries to pull out his wallet and says, “I’ve got this.”

As he leaves, Grim starts laughing. “I know he’s technically a Prospect since all of your club is until Jameson does his thing, but suspect he was fully patched with yours, correct? If half the folks who wanted to prospect for the Royal Bastards had even a drop of his attitude, they’d all make it.”

“He’s a good brother. Was out west a while back and ended up saving another chapter’s brother’s ol’ lady when he was still just a prospect. Nothing doing but he was voted in when he got back home because fuck, to put his life on the line as a brother is one thing but to do it when he was a prospect and for another club? Yeah, he proved his loyalty that day, not only to us but the Royal Bastards as well.”

“Who the fuck ordered snow?” a voice calls from the front door. Glancing over, I see Jameson and Scorn stalking through the clubhouse doors, both covered in snow.

“Well damn, I wasn’t expecting that,” I murmur, heading toward them. Once the back clasps and handshakes are out of the way, I notice noise from outside so head out, grabbing my beanie from my pocket to slide onto my head.

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