Page 92 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
Gator twists to eye me. “That right, JJ?”
“Thought you two were gettin’ along?” Griz asks.
“We were, but she’s sure I’m going to bail on her,” I say, popping the top on the can.
“Are you?” Ghost asks.
“No.” I chug a portion.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s hard to get her to trust that, no matter how many times I tell her.”
“Brother…” Hammer extends a finger off his beer can, pointing it at me. “That woman is the best thing that ever happened to you, and you need to hang the fuck onto her.”
“Listen to Hammer. He knows a good woman when he sees one. Look how are he had to work to get Tink.”
“The club’s here, and she’s there, VP. How’s that supposed to work? I mean I can only go back and forth so long before that’s not gonna cut it any longer.”
Shades is tipped back in his chair. He takes a drag off his cigarette, his head tilting, one eye closed against the smoke rising, his gaze intense on me. He exhales toward the sky and drops his chair.
“Maybe I can fix that, JJ.”
My eyes lock with his, and I still, my can halfway to my mouth.
“We’re opening a chapter in Tennessee. The place has been decided on. It’s not far from where you are. Small town called South Pittsfield. Got everything we need. It’s a couple of hours west of you.”
“Yeah?” I’m afraid to get my hopes up, because he hasn’t finished.
Shades leans forward, elbows to knees. “JJ, we’d hate to lose you in Birmingham, but if you want, I’ll let you be one of the guys who transfers to start the chapter. That work for you, kid?”
And just like that, all the tension in my shoulders disappears, and the tight bands around my chest relax.
“Yeah, prez. That’d be a godsend.”
The corner of Shades’ mouth tugs up. “Don’t know about that, but what your brothers say is true, and that’s a fact.” Hepoints a finger at me. “That woman is the best thing that ever happened to you, JJ. The change in you, brother… it’s really something.”
“When are we wrapping up this deal?” Grizz asks Shades.
“Tomorrow.”
Grizz studies his phone. “Says there’s some bad weather movin’ in tomorrow. You checked the forecast for Tennessee, JJ?”
“No, man.” I pull my phone out, but before I can pull it up, Grizz has it on his phone.
“You better get your ass moving first chance you get, bro. It says there’s a storm headed that way tomorrow night.”
“Shit.” My gaze flicks to Shades.
He nods toward the motel room. “Get a good night's sleep. You can cut out first thing in the morning.”
I stand, ready to go right now, and glance toward my bike. My prez reads me like a book.
“You get a good night’s sleep first, JJ. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.”
I head to the room, and as soon as I’m through the door, everything hits me, and everything inside me settles like a calm lake after a storm. For the first time, I can see a future with Becca that works.
