Chapter Eight. #2
“Food’s up!” Calamity yelled, and there was a mad scramble of kids heading out of the pool.
I looked at the empty water and slapped back the urge to do a couple of lengths.
As tempting as it was, I’d not been given the all clear to use my shoulder.
I scrunched my nose up. Was I interested in competing again?
“That’s the look of someone with the weight of the world on his shoulders,” Texas remarked, sitting beside me. For a man his age, he was still fit and looked good in cut-off jean shorts. Yeah, I was man enough to admit it.
“Do you know how hard it is not to call you uncle?” I bitched, and Texas chuckled.
“As difficult as it is for me to realise you’ve grown up, Falcon. Damn proud of you. You handled yourself with dignity at the National Chapter.”
“Do you regret it?”
Texas chewed on his answer for a few moments, his eyes unseeing.
“Yes and no. I miss my brothers and what we created. But this is much easier. Compared to cleaning the filth out of Rage and the struggles we faced through the years, this is a walk in the park. Sure, someone’s pissed at us, but fuck them. ”
Texas glanced across at Calamity, who was chucking his two-year-old daughter, Zara, in the air.
“He showed us the way. I always had a feeling Calamity was going to be special, but I underestimated him. Bravest thing ever when he handed his cut back and stood by Rosie. As much as I was being a stubborn ass, he had my respect for that act. Calamity had given Rosie exactly what I’d wished for.”
“Which was?” I asked.
“I wanted Rosie to find someone who’d lay his life down for her.
Calamity did that and more. He received a beating that nearly killed him while he covered her escape.
I’ll deny it to my dying day, but it chokes me when I think how badly he was hurt.
Then he took a bullet through the throat.
Christ. If I lost him, it would be like losing my son. ”
“But you still give him shit.”
Texas snorted. “Yeah, of course. If we ain’t dishing it out, we ain’t being ourselves.
I don’t want Prez to get too comfortable, but between us, I love him as my own.
Calamity hasn’t faltered once in his adoration for my girl.
Rosie deserves that. If I could take his wounds away and carry them myself, I would.
The only thing I can do is ensure I stick around.
If anyone comes for Calamity again, they’re going through me first.”
“You’re also important, Texas.”
“Not like Calamity. He’s gonna be a legend, and he’s my boy.
Like Arrow and Drake, Rage MC will still talk about Calamity in a hundred years.
The rest of us shall fade; our names will be known, but stories about Arrow, Drake, and Calamity will be legendary.
They’ll be the ideal. Like you, kid, the legacy who gave it up and stepped gracefully aside. This is your reward.”
“I was gonna go nomad,” I admitted.
Texas nodded. “Knew you were. I saw it in your eyes. Also, I suspected Klutz didn’t want VP. He’s happy being on the sidelines, but you, you’re born of two VPs. Apache and Ace, this is your calling.”
“Grandpa only had it a short while,” I said.
“Apache showed the way. Ace followed in his footsteps, and you’re doing the same,” Texas refuted. “So, what’s got you het up?”
“I’m considering quitting competing.”
The words fell and landed. Texas was silent for a few moments.
“Why?”
“I miss this.” I waved my arms around.
“Think Ice and Harley don’t? And Steel? They’re young and understand they’ll only be at the top of their game for a few more years.
They’ll all step down when it’s time. My opinion, son, is it’s too soon for you.
You’re twenty-two. This injury rocked you, and so did that cunt today.
Falcon, you’re a unicorn, able to participate in two sports.
Only an idiot ignores those talents, and Artemis didn’t raise a fool. ”
I laughed at that. Sadly, I’d not known my dad until Nova and I turned ten. Mom had believed Dad betrayed her and ordered her death. The eventual truth came out, but we’d lost a decade with him. Mom, Uncle Akemi, and Grandpa Hoshi had raised Nova and me.
“It’s too soon to quit,” Texas stated softly.
“And if I find an old lady?”
“Then you look at how Ice manages with Demi and Harley with Oakley. They keep a healthy relationship going. You can too. Don’t throw up barriers you don’t need.
Life will do that to you enough. Spit in its face, Falcon.
Kid, you’re a Blackelk. Your family descends from warriors.
You’ve got those who cover your duties when you’re away; why does that have to change? ”
“Trouble…”
“Fuck that. Shit’s always going to find us.
For some reason, Rage attracts it. You gonna let that rule your life?
I’d call bullshit if you did. Live, Falcon, that’s what you owe yourself.
Don’t look back and have regrets. Do you think Axel, Apache, or I do?
Nope, I wouldn’t alter a single decision, because see that vision of beauty?
” Texas nodded to Penny, who was laughing with Rodie and Demi.
“Everything led me to her. Those of us with old ladies would all agree with that. Live, kiddo, fuckin’ live hard, love insanely and marry crazy.
Because when the blood pumps through your veins, that’s when you know you’re alive. ”
With those words of wisdom, Texas got back on his feet. “Those greedy fuckers are gonna eat everything in sight. Come get some grub,” he ordered. He strode off, heading to the table of food.
“Sometimes that asshole makes sense,” Ghost said from behind me and chuckled.
“You heard?”
“Yup. And he’s right. You’d be a fool if you quit now. I’d call your mom, and it would be fun to watch her kick your ass.” Ghost slapped me on my good shoulder and headed towards Carmelle. Well, wasn’t everybody a cheery fucker today!
Myka
I’d not spoken to Falcon as I feigned sleep to make everyone go away. He’d left a note saying he wouldn’t come back because he had to prioritise Jayes. That was great. Fantastic. A virtual stranger was putting my son first when his own dad couldn’t.
That made me sick. Dawson had never been much of a father or husband, but I struggled to understand how he left me for dead.
He must have realised that Jayes would find me.
All Dawson did was bitch Jayes wasn’t like Jed, and I thanked God daily for that.
Jed had inherited Rawson’s nasty streak.
The craziness was obvious in his eyes. Jed was a spiteful, mean, disrespectful little asshole who would soon have an up close and personal relationship with prison.
The door opened, and a doctor entered. “How are you doing, Mrs Beauregard?”
I couldn’t stop the shudder. “Don’t call me that. Please, it’s Myka. I want no involvement with that family.”
“Okay, Myka. Are you aware of your injuries?”
I snorted. “Very. Concussion, five cracked ribs, a broken arm and wrist. Then there’s the fractured ankle, countless bruises and cuts, a cracked cheekbone and three missing back teeth.
I’ve a ruptured spleen and a swollen kidney, which has begun healing.
Add severe bruising to my stomach area, which led to a tiny hole in my small intestine, which you repaired. Did I miss anything out?”
“The stitches in your arm, back, head and legs,” the doctor said.
“Ah, yes, those too. When can I leave, Doc?”
“We can discharge you tomorrow. It’s been a week since your attack, and you’re healing at a reasonable pace. Do you have someone to take care of you at home?”
“Yes,” I replied, thinking of the Parks. They’d still help me. I just needed to reach out.
“Okay, then we shouldn’t have an issue letting you go in the morning.”
“Thanks, Doc,” I murmured. “Is there a phone I can use? I need to call a few people.”
“Yeah, I’ll have a nurse bring you one.”
“Thank you again.” As soon as I got out, I’d grab Jayes and head to a motel. From there I’d contact the Parks and have them collect me. No way in hell was I staying in the place Dawson called home. That animal and his brothers might return any minute. I wouldn’t take that risk.