He stops in front of me last. “Somehow we’re still standing, brother,” he says.
Some of us steadier than others. “Yes, we are.”
“Good luck. You’re coming full circle. I feel good with you watching Z’s back here.”
“So do I.” We shake hands and he even pulls me in for a too-long-for-my-taste hug. Neither of us mentions Tawny.
Then, he’s gone.
Rooster closes the war room doors. “What’s this mean for Stella, think she’s going with him?” he asks in a low voice.
Z stretches in his chair, propping his feet on the edge of the table and lacing his fingers behind his head. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“We’ll lose a lot of money,” Hustler says.
“The fuck we will. I—” Z snaps his mouth shut. “You know what, I don’t care. I’d rather wash my hands of her anyway. That other chick is starting to gain popularity and she comes without the drama.”
“Oh, she’s dramatic when she comes,” Steer says.
“Charming,” I mutter.
Z glares at him. “I’ll take your word for it, thanks.”
Rooster drops into the seat closest to Z. “We might be helping Loco with his girls, so we’ll take a cut of that action too. The club can absorb the hit of losing Stella if she goes.”
“You wanna be treasurer, Rooster?” Hustler asks.
Teller chuckles but doesn’t say anything.
“No thanks. That’s all you, brother.”
“So we’re really not having a party for Sway tonight?” Steers asks.
Z jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Did he look like he was in a partying mood?”
“Nah, guess not.” Steer lifts his chin at Rooster. “Shelby’s mom coming by the clubhouse tonight? Never saw her last night.”
Jiggy sits back with a shit-eating grin and rests his ankle on his knee. “Lynn was preoccupied last night.”
Rooster rolls his eyes and stares at the ceiling. Counting to a hundred, maybe?
“Bullshit.” Steer slaps the table. “No way she spent the night with you.”
“A gentleman doesn’t share details.” Jiggy’s devilish eyes slide Rooster’s way. “But there’s a solid chance that next year this time, Rooster’s calling me ‘Daddy’.” He covers his mouth and snickers into his hand.
“The fuck I will,” Rooster growls. “You don’t even believe in marriage.”
“I’m willing to make an exception for a special woman,” Jiggy says.
“That’ll be so cute, Rooster.” Steer shakes with laughter. “One big happy family. You can all live together.”
“Shut up,” Rooster groans. “For real. I’d reconsider that plan, Jiggy. Shelby will never forgive you.”
“Why?” He turns his puppy dog eyes on Rooster. “She wouldn’t want me to be happy?”
“Not with her momma.”
“Does she have strong feelings about me getting together with her mom?” Steer asks. “I definitely don’t want to marry her if that helps my case.”
Jigsaw jumps out of his chair, but Rooster yanks him back by grabbing a fist full of his cut.
“All right. No one’s fucking anyone’s mom,” Z says, “so knock it off.”
Murphy raises his hand. “You know, technically, that’s not true for all of us.”
Teller groans and rolls his eyes.
Z points at Murphy. “Nice one.”
Steer eyeballs Rooster’s tenuous hold on Jiggy’s cut and skirts around the edge of the table, grinning like a big, bald idiot. “Later, fuckwad.”
Hustler, Suds, Butcher and the other brothers slowly file out of the room.
“If I let you go, will you behave?” Rooster asks Jigsaw.
“Probably not.”
“Whatever.” Rooster releases him and Jigsaw runs out of the room.
Z motions toward the door and nods at Rooster. “Would you, please?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Rooster groans and takes off.
Then it’s just Z, Rock, Wrath, Teller, Murphy, Dex, and me. Much like the old days. Rock stands and grabs glasses from the wetbar in the corner, setting one in front of each of us. He pours a small amount of amber liquid in each one, then takes the seat next to Z.
“Took years and Sway’s finally leaving.” Z closes his eyes and tips his head back, staring at the ceiling. “A-fucking-men.”
Rock snorts. “Fractured our entire charter to form this one.” He slaps Z’s shoulder. “Only to leave it in your hands, anyway.”
“That’s some delicious irony,” Teller smirks and lifts his glass in Z’s direction.
“Gotta love it.” Wrath taps his glass against Teller’s.
Murphy seems to be keeping his distance from Rock and Teller. He paces behind Z for a few minutes before finally settling into a chair next to Wrath. “Would you take over National, Rock?”
“No. And stop putting that idea out in the universe.”
“You might not have a choice,” Dex says.
“Let’s worry about New York business,” Rock snaps. “How’s your crew doing?”
“Fine. They’ve handled themselves well. I’ve been treating them like prospects and I haven’t had any pushback.”
“You talking about Remy?” I ask.
“Yup.”
“They’re support club material. No hesitation,” I volunteer. “I’ll sponsor them.”
“Look at you jumping in with both feet.” Z nods approvingly. “Good, because I nominate you and Jigsaw to mentor them with Dex.”
“Fine by me.” I shrug off the extra assignment. “You want me to tell Jigsaw?”