Page 1 of The MC's Surprise
1
Vegas
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Rooster!”
I heard him cackle, but I didn’t have a clue where he was hiding. The little shit thought he was hilarious, but I was going to kill him. We were supposed to be meeting up with the crew downstairs for some announcement or something, but Rooster decided now was a great time to gift wrap every damn thing in my room. I’d only been gone a week. I should’ve known he would pull something like this.
Dropping my duffle on the floor, I slammed the door shut and walked away. I didn't have the time nor the patience to deal with all that bullshit.
I stomped down the stairs, my gaze already searching for him. I sure as shit wasn’t going to be the one to clean that all up. Christmas was weeks ago. It was way too late for a prank like this.
Rooster was lounging on the couch, a shit-eating grin on his face, his arms thrown over the cushions. He didn’t even flinch when I came up to him. Probably because Butch was standing a few feet away and if I started something with Rooster, Butchwould finish it for the both of us. I didn’t want to piss off our Sergeant at Arms. He may have softened a little since having kids, but he still wouldn’t hesitate to knock our heads together if he felt it was justified.
“Just wait until Papa Bear heads home,” I growled under my breath.
“What’s wrong, V-man? Didn’t like my present?” he teased.
Glaring at that stupid look on his face only lasted so long before I broke. This was why he was always starting shit with me. I was one of very few who found his shenanigans both irritating as fuck and hilarious at the same time. I chuckled, shoving his head as I dropped onto the couch beside him. He laughed and feigned being pushed harder than I actually did, a mock wounded expression crossing his face as he came back up.
“So cruel. And here I thought you’d be grateful for some belated gifts. I spent hours working on it.”
“And you’re going to spend just as long cleaning it up,” I carped, though there wasn’t any venom in my voice. We both knew I’d figure out a way to get him back, then he’d reciprocate in kind. It was just how our friendship worked.
Rooster sucked in a breath through his teeth, the fakest grimace I’d ever seen all over his face. “No can do, buckaroo. I’ve got places to be this evening. Hot date, you know how it is.”
Considering how long it had been since I last got lucky, I almost said I didn’t. Being in love with someone who didn’t love you back kind of put a damper on your sex life. I didn't tell that to Rooster, though. No one in the crew knew about Charlotte. And I was going to keep it that way. I already felt pathetic pining over my casino manager. I didn't need my crew dragging me for it.
Luckily, Prez called out to get our attention before Rooster could pick up on my mood. It was a rare moment where there were only club members in the house, no kids that I could see.It’d become so commonplace for the brood to be here that it was a little odd that they weren’t around. This was a club meeting, though, and most of the kids were back in school or with Butch’s old lady.
“Listen up, gearheads!” Butch bellowed, silencing what was left of the conversation.
Prez shook his head, already exasperated with us. Which was so unfair. I hadn’t done anything. Yet.
“Now that we’re all here, I’ve got some news to share.” He gestured for Rusty to join him. “Rusty and I have come to the decision that it’s time for him to step down as Road Captain.”
We all saw it coming. Rusty had been in poor health for a while now and he missed more club events than he joined in. It didn't make it any less dispiriting. Rusty was one of the last of the old generation. He was an institution, much like Tank, and it wouldn’t be the same once he was gone.
The murmurs of the crowd all echoed my somber feeling, but Rusty was quick to shut them down. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere. I’m still crew. Just can’t be roundin’ up you knuckleheads anymore. Doc says I need rest. Ya’ll know I can’t be doin’ that and dealin’ with you at the same time.”
That got some laughs and I felt myself relax a little. I was worried with the way his health was going that we were looking at something more tragic on the wind. It was never easy when a club member passed. Even if he lived a long life, it would still feel wrong if he wasn’t around.
Prez clapped him on the shoulder with a smile before turning to the crew. “That being said, the officers and I will be meeting to pick a new road captain soon with Rusty’s input. If you want your name thrown in the hat, let Rooster know.”
Frowning, I shot a questioning look at Rooster. He shrugged. “We had a meeting about it while you were gone. I was going to text you what was happening, but I got busy with your present.”
That stupid grin was back and I rolled my eyes, shoving him away from me again. I knew why none of them called. I’d gone home for a week after my mom had a health scare of her own. I kept Prez updated and he probably thought it was best to keep the crew off my back while I was busy. Thankfully, Mom turned out okay and didn’t fight it when we moved her into my sister’s spare room. I planned on going home more often to check on her, but she said she didn't need coddling and Erica said she had things covered so I had time to get home for this meeting.
Proving that he actually gave a shit, Rooster leaned in to whisper, “Seriously, though, how are things? Did your mom pull through?”
“Yeah, she’s good,” I nodded. “Doc said something about a mini stroke. She’s got risk factors. We moved her in with Erica so she can rest and recover.”
Rooster grimaced. “Yikes. Glad she’s alright. If I can help, let me know.”
I dipped my chin to acknowledge him. I knew he’d step up. They all would. We were a brotherhood, and the few times they’d met her, the guys were all good to my mom. If she needed anything I couldn’t provide, I knew my crew would be there.
Prez cleared his throat to bring the room to attention again. “There’s more. We’ve got some potential prospects coming through this weekend. We’ll need volunteers for sponsors to show them what’s what. Vegas, set up a cook-out or something for that meeting. Something low-key.”
“You got it, Prez,” I answered fluidly. It’d been a long damn time since we had prospects. Probably since Rooster and Circus joined in. It was good to see we were growing, especially when guys like Rusty were pulling back. I never wanted to see the day when our club shut down. We weren’t a big club by any means, only about twenty guys in total, so a little growth was good for us. I hoped we continued to grow as time went on.
