CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JJ—
On the second night I’m gone, it’s even later when I get to the room, but I send a text to Becca anyway because I promised her I would.
ME: Just got back. Sorry it’s so late. Wanted to check in with you. I’d love to you’re your voice and find out how your day was, but I know you must be asleep, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow, babe.
ME: Guess I’ve been doin’ it for years. But I am exhausted.
REBECCA: How are we supposed to make this work?
ME: What do you mean?
REBECCA: Your club is in Birmingham and I’m here. The tree farm is here. You’ll be driving back and forth all the time. How does that work long term?
ME: It’ll work because what we have is worth fighting for.
REBECCA: But how?
ME: I don’t know yet.
REBECCA: That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
ME: Rebecca…
When she doesn’t answer, I send a final text.
ME: Goodnight sweetheart. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. We’ll work this out. I promise.
Again, she doesn’t reply. I curse and stand from the bed, frustration flooding me.
I can hear some of my brothers outside on the walkway laughing and talking. The motel is deserted except for us, so we’re not disturbing anyone.
I walk out of my room and lean against the post. They’re all in folding chairs sitting in a circle—where they found them, I have no clue, but they’re taking up three parking spots.
There’s an all-night liquor store across the highway, and they’ve picked up a couple of six-packs of beer and a Styrofoam ice chest.
Ghost kicks an open chair. “Take a load off, JJ.”
I sprawl in it, and Griz digs his hand in the ice and passes me a beer. “What’s wrong with you, bro? You look depressed.”
Hammer leans his elbows on his knees and grins. “Bet he’s got woman problems.”
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.” He points 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.
I can’t wait to tell her, but I don’t want to disturb her. She needs sleep, too. But excitement surges through me for tomorrow.
We’ve got so many plans to make, and I can’t wait to see her again.