Page 35 of Fanatic

I had the cod and chips on Fanatic’s recommendation, and I had to admit, it was damn good. Once eaten, everyone carried on until Chance called all the brothers together, and they disappeared out the door.

“Club business,” I guessed as Fanatic chased after them. The old ladies rolled their eyes, and we continued unpacking.

Grey’s boxes had been put in the attic immediately, so I didn’t have to deal with them. I wasn’t ready to. Many would have suggested donating Grey’s clothes, but no… not now.

I was placing pictures around when Clio called me.

Clio wore an expression of concern which warred with grief.

“Chance wished to do this right,” Clio murmured. “Don’t be mad.”

Clio gently shoved me outside as Thalia brought Danny. She placed my boy in my arms, and I looked up and froze. The noise should have warned me, but it hadn’t. Heading towards me, walking their bikes, was Hellfire. Chance and Fanatic took one side each of a trailer carrying Grey’s hog. Behind it fell Hellfire, escorting a fallen brother’s bike home. Shit, I’d not even considered Grey’s Harley.

“Oh God,” I gasped.

I’d not seen it since I had fled, and now it was here. On top lay a wreath of roses, and I swallowed tears.

“Stand tall,” Clio whispered, and I nodded as they approached. Neighbours came out and stood to pay their respects, which I appreciated, and Hellfire pulled up. Fanatic walked the Harley down the ramp and wheeled it into my garage. My eyes followed, knowing Grey would never ride it again.

But Grey’s son would. I’d keep it in peak condition, and Danny, one day, would own Grey’s bike. Danny would decide its fate.

Fanatic covered it over and placed the wreath on top as the candidates rode off, probably heading back to Hellfire. As I looked around at Hellfire claiming their old ladies, I’d never felt more alone until a strong set of arms embraced me and held me tightly. Fanatic, as usual, was there for me.

Fanatic

A month had passed since we moved in properly, and I was feeling like shit. For a week, I’d called Axel, giving him updates until Willow reached out to him. She’d explained that she couldn’t face Rapid City or Rage, but Axel, Ellen, and her brothers were more than welcome here.

Slowly, this was becoming a home, and I’d encouraged Willow to display pictures of her and Grey, but she’d only put a few out. There was nothing of Greys around either. However, there were plenty of items belonging to me and her. Which felt both good and shitty. I liked seeing our stuff mixed together. But my head was fucked.

I wasn’t lying when I’d said the first time I’d seen Willow I’d been attracted to her. Not because of how she was dressed. But because of Willow’s bravery, courage, and intelligence. As we’d got to know each other, I fell in love. Initially, I thought I had a shot despite our age gap. But I’d caught her and Grey kissing and realised they were a couple.

So, I did the next best thing and became her friend. Grey came as part of Willow, so I befriended him, too, and soon cared for him like a brother. Grey’s death had devastated me. But there was a sly little piece of me that kept stating that Willow was single now, and it wouldn’t shut the fuck up. It was obvious Willow was still grieving and wasn’t even ready to consider another relationship. But when she was ready, I intended to support Willow during her initial foray into dating.

A tiny part of me hoped she’d come to see me as I wanted her to. I fuckin’ loved her and Danny, and I couldn’t escape that. Would Willow view this as disloyalty to Grey? Would Grey think it a betrayal from wherever he was? My head was fucked, and I needed to get it straight. But I couldn’t talk to anyone concerning this mess.

However, I could claim Willow as my old lady, because Grey had been in a different MC to me. If we’d been in the same MC, it would have probably been vetoed.

Thinking like this wasn’t healthy. I had to try something to get Willow out of my head before I fucked up.

That led to now. Stood here getting a coffee, and a pretty girl smiling at me. I smiled back, took my coffee, and sat down. What the hell was I doing? I berated myself silently, but when I looked up, the girl’s eyes were on me. Cheekily, I sent her a wink and smirked as a blush appeared on her cheeks.

Yeah, she was too innocent for a jaded asshole like me.

My phone buzzed, and I dragged it out and saw a message from Shee. Vampire was meant to be helping him with a house clearance and hadn’t turned up. Irritated, I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. The prick was lazier than a sloth. Nor did Vampire have any skills that Hellfire needed. Pissed off, I rose to my feet and grabbed my drink. Vampire was going to get his ass kicked.

As I walked past the girl, I stopped, and before I knew it, I’d asked for her phone number. She beamed and wrote it down and handed it to me.

I winked again like a fuckin’ idiot and left. What the hell had I done? Luckily it wasn’t my favourite coffee shop, or shit might have got awkward.

???

In disbelief, I stood staring over Vampire as he snored his fucking head off. Grinding my teeth together, I headed out of his room and into the kitchen. Grabbing a bucket, I filled it with ice and stormed back through the rec room. Chance and Big Al looked up and grinned. This fuckin’ candidate.

With a kick to the door, I entered Vampire’s bunk again and wordlessly threw the ice over him. Vampire sat up with a shriek and began scrambling to get out of bed. I stalked forward and put a foot on his chest.

“You were expected by Shee three hours ago, you lazy assed fuck!”

“That was too early!” Vampire wailed as he tried to escape the cold.

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