Page 1 of Next Level
GAME NIGHT
Being President of the Royal Bastards Oakland Chapter, I don’t get much alone time, especially here at the clubhouse. Most of the time, we have a handful of members lounging around. But right now, I’m alone, sitting at the bar with a beer, just relaxing in the quiet. I know it won’t last long, but damn it feels good.
Life is good right now, and I want to take it all in.
“Level!” My name booms across the clubhouse.
I chuckle, thinking,Well, damn, that didn’t last long.
Looking up from my phone, I see Dawg, my best friend and vice president, swaggering toward me with a fat blunt the size of a cigar hanging from his mouth and a half-cocked smile.
We moved up the ranks together as president and vice president of the Royal Bastards Oakland Chapter when my father, the president, was killed, along with his VP and best friend.
“Waddup, Dawg?” I give him a head nod.
Here we go.I think to myself,Dawg’s up to something.
He got the name Dawg because he’s like a mixture of Snoop Dogg and Dre Dog, but White. He can recite almost every song by both artists.
We met in middle school and have been best friends ever since. He was teased throughout his younger years for the wayhe looked and talked. We were both funny-looking, a good foot apart in height, and completely awkward middle schoolers back then, making us easy targets. When we finally had enough and started doling out ass-whoopings, word got around and the bullying stopped.
When he reaches me, he blows out a puff of smoke with a big shit-eating grin and rushes out, “I’m so ready for tonight!” sounding pumped up.
Tonight, like every other night, we’re hanging out at the Royal Bastards clubhouse. Most nights we’re here, but if we’re not, then we’re at the local bar. However, it’s my weekend with my daughter, so we’ll be around here unless she wants to do something different.
“Ready for what?” I ask.
He answers, “For the battle!” blowing out another puff of smoke.
As if she knew we were talking about her, the light of my life walks into the clubhouse. Samantha Amato, my daughter. My pride and joy. She’s been up at the house doing homework.
Our clubhouse is a large open-space building. When you walk in the front door, to the left is a long hall that leads to the bathrooms and kitchen. On the right, the hall leads to the shop. Moving past the halls, you enter the main building, where the bar sits to the left.
Walking into the room, there’s a pool table, dart boards, couches, and a few TVs. One is for watching and the other is mainly used for gaming since most of our members enjoy gaming.
On the back wall, there is another hall that leads to a few bedrooms, and to the right of that hallway is a room where we conduct club business. It’s also used for church and is reserved for members only. To the left of the back hall is an office.
I jump off my stool and head toward her.
“I’m ready for you, Sammie,” Dawg yells. “Tonight’s the night!”
I chuckle, knowing damn well he hates getting beaten by my daughter.
Sam beams up at me.
“Hey, Pops,” she says, leaning in to embrace me for a hug.
She gives the best hugs.
“I don’t know, Unc!” she says over my shoulder. “You always say that.”
“Hi, Punkin. Did you finish your homework?” I ask while squeezing her back.
“Yep, all done.” She pulls away, heading for the gaming area.
I love that no matter when or where, she always gives me a hug when she sees me. I’m not sure if I could ever love anyone as much as I love this girl.
I turn and watch her move to the couch, grabbing the controller Dawg is handing her.
