Page 71 of Road to Absolution

He admired his new leather vest. “No. This is actually feeling better than expected.” He rested back against the couch. “After college, when I moved in with Diesel and V,” I nodded, remembering him wanting to give John space with his girlfriend Savanah, “Prez finally started letting me closer to this world.” His chuckle was full of embarrassment. “Dude, the shit that happened right under our noses is why he always called us dumbasses.”

I cursed, “That smart ol’ bastard.”

“No doubt. Always guarding our backs… It feels good to see how he tried to let us be young for a while longer.”

Not feeling young anymore, I glanced about my hospital room. It may have been his club getting me in this mess, but it was also his club trying to dig me and my girl out. “Then why’re you so grumpy?”

“The clubhouse.”

“I thought you were tight with the members.”

He gleamed. “Oh, hell yeah. The oldest coons are my favorite.”

“What about the younger ones?”

Guilty eyes looked away again. “You and I are the youngest in there right now.”

Hmm… “Then us young’uns better stick together.”

Guilt evaporated. “I always stick with you.” He delivered a determined, curt nod. “I already have crossed a line. You’ll figure it out soon.”

Well, shit.

Eating a solid meal made a dramatic difference in my energy. Feeding my body fuel helped stabilize me, physically and mentally. It was a huge part of my old regimen. Something normal was welcomed and a game changer. Not only did I finally start having luck in the shitter, but now I was starting to have faith in the doctor; there was a strong chance I was going to bounce back fast.

Now to break free of this joint!

Even though my cat scan had “appeared’ clear, Doc had me stay for a couple more days. Scorch said I was also going to be “clear”—and thrown off the roof if I kept bitching on our smoke dates.

He exhaled smoke into the night. “Mav, can you promise to stay calm?”

“Not with that being the lead question.” I leaned my ass against the concrete edge. I needed something to hold me up in case this news knocked me to the rooftop. “Did she have the baby without me?”

“No. No.” He ran his fingers through his hair, shocking me that they didn’t get stuck. “She’s on bed rest.”

Never having had a pregnant wife before, I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant, but I knew it wasn’t good. I just stared at him, silently begging him not to crush my soul that needed Lilah.

“Mav, I don’t know details, but no one seems too worried, claiming she just needs rest. So, keep breathing, Pup. Plus, she’s in great hands. V has become a bit of a Pitbull. You practically need a security clearance to visit her, all in the name of Pretty D needing peace and quiet.”

I hadn’t seen Viola in a couple of days and now knew why. I grabbed my chest, vowing to hug that crazy bitch tight.

Scorch? He threw his hands into the air. “The Cave is fucking MC party central! Do you know how not quiet that place gets? Now, stereos are off and stripper poles are dry. A damn crime.”

I was holding my stomach through all my laughter.

Scorch was on a roll. “Vixen and her damn warpaths. My brothers are whispering their cheers to whiskey shots. Do you know how wrong that is? And all bunnies have gone into hiding! It’s a fucking circus.”

Wiping laughter tears, I asked, “What’s a bunny?”

He chuckled. “Nothing you’ll ever get a taste of if you want to keep your dick.”

“Is that why my nurse has been your recent conquest? Can’t get none at home?”

“Maverick,” he gestured to his whole body and attire that screamed I don’t give a fuck nor care if you do, then said, “I’m the hot dog and they’re the bun. They can’t help that they’re drawn to me, knowing it’s where they belong.”

Blink. Blink. “Is that the best analogy you could muster? A hot dog and a hungry bun?”

Smirking proudly, he nodded. “Hungry. See? You know they want me. You see it in their hungry eyes.”