34. Ozzie
“Alright,” Teysha says, standing up. “I think me and the baby have had all we can of tonight’s festivities. Happy New Year, everyone.”
“Get sleep where you can,” Korine says. “Newborn sleep schedules are something else.”
The rest of us nod from around the table as Logan gathers the baby carrier and diaper bag. Teysha’s hoisted up their little girl, Chloe, into her arms. The baby girl fusses in her rosy-pink onesie and matching headband, her dark brown hair starting to curl up. Her tiny fingers grab hold of Teysha’s hoop earring and makes others around the table laugh.
“I guess I haven’t learned my lesson. No hoops when you have a newborn,” Teysha sighs, almost laughing herself.
Logan comes to the rescue, gently disentangling Chloe’s fingers from his wife’s earring. “If that’s not our sign to head out, I don’t know what is.”
“Alright, man. See you around. Happy New Year.” I nod at them both.
“Blake and I are probably not far behind. My mom’s likely dozing off by now and we have to check on her before bed,” Korine says.
“I’m surprised Sunny didn’t come out. She’s the life of the party whenever she does,” says Mace as he takes a swig from his beer bottle.
He’s right. Everybody at the club loves Sunny McKibbens; she’s become a staple at the club as much as Mick has. Some have even joked that the two, both being widowed and in their sixties, should date. The grandfather and grandmother of the MC.
Cash and Korine leave only a few minutes after Teysha and Logan have, wishing us a happy New Year and promising to hang around longer at the next club event.
But the night’s far from over.
Zoe, Mace, Sydney, and I all get up and take part in a game of pool. Many of the others either play their own games or gather around and watch.
It’s barely scraping ten p.m. and the Steel Saloon is crowded with club members and their old ladies, club girls, prospects, and regulars around town. The music’s blasting and the drinks are flowing from the tap courtesy of Mick behind the bar counter.
I’m having a great time… without the alcohol. I’m sober as the day I was born and still having the fucking time of my life, a far cry from how I used to be.
But I’m about to hit my hundredth day of sobriety and I’m damn proud of myself. A hundred days with no alcohol. No drugs. No gambling and no benders on the horizon.
A hundred straight days on my meds, and I’m still Ozzie. Just… a better version.
I always thought if I stayed on them for too long, my personality would be wiped out. I couldn’t do all the things I like to do, like riding and partying and living life to the fullest.
Turns out, I was wrong. That was an excuse to keep bad habits and never clean up my act.
I drowned myself in destructive behaviors, because I didn’t want to own up to the fact that I was in control of my life and could have the things I never thought I deserved. I could find a woman who I really connected with and I could be a Steel King with his shit together instead of the opposite.
Silver’s made me Sergeant at Arms. Tito decided to step back from the role to focus on his family at home, and with the position open, Silver turned to me.
“It’s a real responsibility, Oz,” he’d said. “But I think you can do it if you actually try. Are you up for it?”
I’m back at the head table during club meetings. I’m back as one of the leaders of the club, proving each and every day that I can handle the role and that my brothers can depend on me.
Having a support system helps, and nobody’s been a bigger cheerleader than Zoe. It’s something that’s mutual in our relationship, as we get each other and our conditions more than anybody else we know. I help her open up and let loose and she helps keep me grounded in the best way possible.
We’re still taking things slow, going day by day, but even a couple months in, it’s the best relationship I’ve ever had, and nothing else was ever even close.
“I’ll get you another,” I say, winking at Zoe. I grab her empty glass and head to the bar counter to order another from Mick.
He grins wide at the sight of me. “Look at you. Never thought I’d see the day Oz, of all the guys, was falling in love.”
“Mick, how many times are we gonna have this conversation? Zoe and I are taking things slow.”
“Yeah, yeah… whatever you say. That’s what Mace said too. Now look at him.”
I look over my shoulder, back at the pool table where we’re in the middle of a game. It’s Mace and Sydney’s turn yet he’s gotten distracted by the good luck kiss she’s giving him. I crack my own grin at the newlyweds, but I’m not the only one—even from afar I can tell Zoe’s giving them hell. Her lips are moving as she says something and shakes her head, clutching her pool stick as she waits for her next turn.
“I guess there really is something in the air,” I say, facing the bar counter again. “Two Diet Cokes, Mick.”
“Coming right up. Light on the ice.”
“It’s good the club’s still able to have nights like these. We’re all about to ring in the New Year and we’re more united than we’ve ever been. Stronger than ever. The Road Rebels are gonna have their work cut out for them if Wheels and his crew try anything again.”
“I’m sure they will. It’s only a matter of time.”
“He never should’ve been released early in the first place.”
“That’s what happens when police departments make mistakes,” sighs Mick. “Shame that couldn’t have happened with Cutty.”
“Not sure if Mace or Ghost would agree with you—or Silver either. Cutty being back would… complicate things.”
“What about Cutty?” comes Silver’s voice. He appears on my left at the bar counter. He’s nursing a bottle of Pike that I suspect he’s been sipping on slowly for the past hour.
“Oz was just saying that maybe it’s for the best if Tom’s not released early like Nathaniel was… before he was sent back and then busted out with Boone.”
Silver finally takes another sip of that Pike, taking his time to answer. “I have to agree with Oz. I’ve been in regular contact with Tom, and I’m not sure if his return to the club would be for the best either.”
“We might as well make you prez… officially. Or Mace or Ghost,” I say as Mick slides the two drinks I’ve ordered across the counter.
“I don’t think Ghost would be up for it right now, all things considered.”
“You’re right. Something tells me he and Teysha are about to be a baby factory.”
“The club’s growing. Now we just need the rest of you to get to work.” Mick cackles at the expressions on our faces, slapping his dish rag over his shoulder.
Silver shakes his head. “I’ll let Oz, Mace, and Cash lead on that. I’ve done my part. One failed marriage and two kids later, I’m closed for business.”
“Can I get a vodka and cranberry?”
The three of us glance over at the young woman who’s just stepped to the counter and interrupted us without a second thought. At first I don’t recognize her, then it hits me once two and two add themselves together.
She’s got a youthful face she’s tried to disguise in bright makeup like the glittery eye shadow on her eyelids and the magenta lipstick on her lips. Her locs hang down the middle of her back, a split color mix of black and copper brown. She’s in a cropped leather jacket and denim skirt, her midriff bared and belly button pierced. The ring there matches the one in her nose piercing.
All three of us are speechless for a second ’til I blurt out, “Solana? Big Eddie’s niece? Weren’t you, like, twelve just a few weeks ago?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m in college, actually. Vodka and cranberry.”
“Sure, dollface. I just need to see some ID. Big Ed would kill me otherwise.”
“Never mind.” She spins on her heel and wanders off, disappearing in the crowd.
Mick waits ’til he’s sure she’s gone, then raises both his thick white brows at us. “That girl can’t be older than twenty. She damn sure can’t be twenty-one… or I’m the goddamn crypt keeper.”
“There is a slight resemblance,” I joke to his moody scowl. “But for real, you’re right. What’s she doing running around in biker bars? Big Ed or Moses know she was here?”
“Doubt it,” answers Silver. “Neither of them came out tonight. I should probably go make sure she has a ride home. Big Eddie would kill everybody here tonight if we let something happen to his niece.”
He disappears from my side as I shake my head and take my first sip from my Diet Coke. “Silver’s such a dad.”
“He’s right. That girl has no business being here… especially underaged.”
“I started drinking when I was fifteen. Mighta been fourteen. So twenty’s nothing. Then again, I’m no role model.”
“You’re a better man than you think you are, Oz. I’ve always told you that.”
Zoe takes the stool that Silver was just in, catching the last part of our conversation. She curls her fingers around the drink that’s hers and says, “Game’s over. Mace and Sydney couldn’t keep their hands off each other so they went home. We won.”
“Standard. We would’ve won anyway. Sydney can’t play pool for shit.”
“What are you two talking about? I heard Mick’s compliment. I’d say I agree.”
Heat creeps up the back of my neck as I put my arm around her waist. “Thanks, babe. Means a lot coming from you.”
“Will any of you make it to midnight?” Mick asks accusatorially. “’Cuz it’s sure looking like you two are next to go.”
Mick’s mostly right—me and Zoe stick it out for another hour and a half, but as the clock closes in on midnight, we decide to ditch the Steel Saloon.
Zoe swings onto the back of my bike, her arms wrapping tight around my waist like she never plans to let go. The deep growl of my Softail Deluxe cuts through the stillness, a roar reverberating in the Texas night. As I twist the throttle, we shoot forward, tires eating up the gravel below, the wind slicing against us.
It doesn’t take us long before we’re flying by the welcome sign for Pulsboro.
The road stretches ahead, an endless black ribbon paved across the landscape. The stars above are scattered like diamonds across a velvet sky, brighter than they ever are in the city. Fireworks begin to pop and crackle overhead as the countdown to the New Year officially starts.
Zoe’s hold on me tightens, and I can feel the press of her cheek against my back, the warmth of her body melting into mine. Every so often, she shifts just enough for me to catch the smallest sigh of contentment, barely audible over the rumble of the engine. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, knowing that we’re together and get to share moments like this.
We ride for miles, the empty highway stretching endlessly as if we could just keep going forever. We probably will some other day, when the mood strikes us to go on an adventure. I’ve already promised to give Zoe riding lessons so she can get a bike of her own soon. Then we can rule these roads side by side like we’ve done so many other things.
Eventually, Pulsboro calls us back, the distant bursts of fireworks brightening the sky, flashes of gold, silver, red, blue, and every other color you can think of. I ease off the throttle, guiding us toward the ravine next to the trailer park, where the land dips low and the water streams through.
Zoe slides off the bike first, stretching her legs before sinking down into the grass. I follow, settling beside her, close enough that our shoulders brush. She tips her head up to watch the last of the fireworks show, her expression thoughtful.
I’m busy counting my lucky stars. Thanking the Big Guy upstairs—if he’s real—that I’ve managed to bag a catch like her.
“Happy New Year,” she says, aiming a smirk at me.
I lean closer and press a slow kiss to her mouth. “Happy New Year, babe.”
We sit for a long time, mostly in silence, taking in the dark landscape and bright, glittery sky, and then we finally do call it a night.
The air turns colder, the chill making us shudder. I pull her to her feet and our fingers stay intertwined as we head inside, ready for the rest of our future to begin tomorrow.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Thanks for reading!