Page 7 of Freedom Ride

“Someone I know?”

I shook my head and watched the walls of the prison pass by. “Nah, she’s not from around here.”

King groaned. “My god. This totally sounds like those shows that Meg watches. You better not tell her about your prison pen pal unless you want her giving you the fifth degree about the girl.”

“Pretty sure she would give me the fifth degree about anyone I date.”

“You’re dating letter chick?”

“No. Maybe.” I looked down at the letters. “I don’t really know. She just helped me to keep my head afloat while I was in there.”

“You mean to tell me my visits didn’t help you?” King smirked.

“Your visits helped me to know the club was fine without me.”

King glanced at me. “We survived without you, Snapper, but we weren’t whole with you gone. You each are a part of the club, and when one part is missing, we all feel it. Time moved on, but that doesn’t mean the club still doesn’t need you.” He nudged me with his elbow. “You’re already Uncle Snappy to Kane and Peyton.”

“Kane is Marco’s, and Peyton is Zag’s, right?” I asked. I was going to need a quiz to make sure I knew whose kid was whose.

“Yup. And pretty soon, Greta’s twins will be running around asking for Uncle Snappy.”

“Uncle Snappy was the best you guys could come up with?” I laughed. “It couldn’t be Uncle Snapper?” It really wasn’t that much harder than Snappy.

“Nah,” King shook his head. “Uncle Snappy sounds like the cool uncle who knows how to have a good time and will sneak beer to the kids when they’re teenagers.”

“So you mean like Rigid was for me?”

King grunted. “I guess, though, Rigid should have waited a couple of years before he gave you your first beer. Thirteen is a little too young.”

It had been too young, but it was just like Rigid to do it. “I’ll wait at least until they are fifteen.”

“How grownup of you,” King chuckled. “I’m sure Marco and Royal will appreciate it.”

I sighed and leaned my head against the seat.

“You good?” King asked. “You do know I had to fight everyone back to not show up outside of the prison and act like idiots, right? I didn’t think you’d want some craziness right when you got out. I figured we could save that for when we got to the clubhouse.”

I was fine. Or I at least knew that I would be fine. It was going to be an adjustment being back with the club. “I’m good. It’s just pretty crazy to be driving down the road with you. I’m used to constantly being watched and no freedom.”

King leaned over and patted my knee. “You’re free now, son, and nothing is going to change that. You know the club is here for you, no matter what.”

“Family,” I whispered. I hadn’t forgotten that while I was locked up. The club was my family, and they would always have my back.

I was a free man, and I always had my family.

That would never change.

*

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