Everyone in the clubhouse knows if I’m in my office in the middle of the night after having been in bed, I’m not to be fucked with.I’m more likely to hurt you than have a civil conversation because I’m lost in the memories of a man I called my brother.The door slowly opens to reveal one of the club girls.I can’t even remember her name at this point.She closes the door behind her and saunters up to where I’m sitting behind my desk.
 
 “Saw you come in here and thought I could be of some help,” she says, a pout on her lips as if it’s sexy.It’s really not.
 
 “Get on your knees,” I order her as she stands and stares at me in shock.“Not gonna fuck you.You can suck my cock or get the fuck out.”
 
 I lift the bottle of Jack and drink straight from it without using the glass that’s currently sitting empty in front of me.The club girl drops to her knees and unbuckles my belt before undoing my jeans.I don’t help her at all.Call me a bastard, but she’s the one who came into my office and I’m so lost in memories I hate reliving I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks.My dick isn’t hard when the club girl finally gets my pants down my thighs.She looks up at me with confusion in her eyes.
 
 “Don’t really want you at all.I suggest you get the fuck outta my office,” I tell her as she looks back down at my soft length.
 
 “Let me get you hard,” she says, reaching forward and sliding her hand up and down my dick.
 
 Closing my eyes with the bottle of Jack still in hand, I continue drinking while thinking of Caliana.Now my cock is hard.One thought of her is all it takes for me.I’ve never been with her or seen her body naked.Everything is simply what my mind conjures up.
 
 “Knew you wanted me, Baby,” the girl says, her voice grating on my nerves and making my cock start to soften once more.
 
 “Shut the fuck up and suck.Don’t need your words because we all know you only want me since I’m the President of the club.Never gonna make you my ol’ lady.That spot is reserved for the girl I’ve loved my entire life,” I growl out, slumping down in my chair as I continue drinking.
 
 In my mind, I imagine Cali’s lips wrapped around my cock.She’s naked and sitting on the bed in front of me.My girl will never kneel on a fucking floor for any reason.Cali is a queen and I would never treat her without the highest respect in mind.I think of Cali sliding her mouth up and down my length while looking up at me with her huge, innocent eyes.Her hands are resting on my thighs as I reach out and slide my fingers through her hair.It’s thick and silky as the strands slide through my fingers until I make a fist so I can control her movements.Cali doesn’t stop moving as she smiles around me.
 
 “Fuck, Cali.I will never get enough of you,” I manage to say between clenched teeth as I already feel myself getting ready to explode.
 
 Cali senses my imminent release and starts moving her mouth faster up and down my cock.Every time she pulls back, she swirls her tongue around me.She doesn’t stop until I throw my head back and let my release flow from me.Cali drinks down every single drop while I yell out her name.
 
 “Cali!”I shout, my voice echoing off the walls of my office as I let my head drop back against my chair and don’t open my eyes.
 
 “What the fuck, Reckless?I’m not Cali,” the girl in front of me screeches after removing her mouth from my length.“Who the fuck is this bitch that’s got you all twisted?”
 
 “Get the fuck out,” Kreed says, barging in my office as I finally open my eyes and glare at the skank in front of me.
 
 “Don’t youevertalk about Cali again.Do you fuckin’ understand me?”I question her, leaning forward while pulling my jeans back up and leaving them open for now.
 
 The girl rushes from my office as Kreed walks right in and takes a seat in front of me.For several minutes he does nothing but look at me and I know he’s trying to figure out how fucked up I am already.This is becoming a routine for us and I can’t seem to stop myself from drinking until I have to get ready for the day.Though I don’t drink in excess on work days.I spend my time in the gym to numb the pain and memories.It doesn’t help, but then again nothing does.The drinking and working out are just a Band-Aid that never truly dulls the guilt and pain of my past and those I’ve let down in the worst possible way.
 
 “How fuckin’ long are ya gonna torture yourself, Caleb?”Kreed asks me, his tone serious in a way he rarely uses because he’s the guy who always laughs and lights up a room.Unless it comes to Cali and me, he’s never serious with anyone.
 
 “Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Kreed,” I say, because he could be talking about a number of things in this moment.
 
 “Yeah, ya do.You have nightmares about Darren and the failed mission.His death isn’t on you, Caleb.We were all over there and he chose to move toward me instead of findin’ cover.He couldn’t see where the enemies were any better than you or I could.You’re fuckin’ with the girls more than ever before and always have a bottle in your hand.This isn’t you and you know that,” Kreed states, leaning closer to me as I slump back in my chair after setting the bottle of Jack on my desk.
 
 “It is my fault, Kreed.I was responsible for the team and we lost more than Darren that day.He was the hardest one because of our bond with him.I didn’t force him to stand down while I made my way to you.I was on the way there, but I had no clue if you’d moved from the last spot I saw you.If I had asked more questions or done my job properly, none of us would’ve been over there and Darren would still be alive.Cali would still have her husband and the kids would have their dad.That’s on me and nothin’ you say will change my mind.I failed Cali more than anyone else.And you know that’s the last thing I ever wanted to do,” I tell him, my voice breaking as I relive moments I’d rather forget but will never have a chance to do so.My punishment for failing everyone is being tortured with these thoughts and memories for the rest of my life.
 
 “Caleb, you gave up the woman you love and your chance at happiness a long time ago.Ever since then, you’ve been tryin’ to stay away from her.Yes, she married Darren and they have two children together.However, Darren has passed away and won’t ever come home to them again.Why do you still torture yourself by stayin’ away from her?Talk to her and make her yours,” my best friend tells me because he knows this is something I think about daily.
 
 “You know I can’t make Cali mine.She was Darren’s and that makes her forbidden.She’s the love of my life and I let her slip through my fingers because I couldn’t be open and honest with her when we were younger.Maybe she was meant to be with Darren while I remain on the sidelines of her life,” I tell Kreed as he stands from the seat across from me and shakes his head.
 
 “This shit ain’t healthy, Caleb.You need to make some fuckin’ changes really quick.I’m worried about you and so are the others.If you don’t stop this shit, I’m gonna have to make the call neither one of us want me to make,” Kreed promises me before he leaves me alone in my office.
 
 “Fuck!”I roar out in anger while grabbing the bottle of Jack and throwing it across the room to shatter in a million pieces like my life because I know exactly what he’s talking about.
 
 Kreed means he’ll call my mom and dad.They’ll make the trip here from Benton Falls and kick my ass until I’m back to who I’m supposed to be.The other call he’ll make is to Tank.My uncle is the one I really don’t want to see.The man is a beast and he won’t just kick my ass verbally.He’ll literally put me in the ring and beat the shit out of me until I can’t move again.Then, he’ll unleash on me with his logic and words.He’ll make me believe in things I can’t believe in like giving me hope when it comes to being with Caliana.The one woman I’ll love forever and no one will ever compare to.