Chapter 11
*~* Fury *~*
Icouldn’t get out of the clubhouse fast enough and escape all their jokes.
Taking the SUV that has practically become mine now, I head out of the compound, giving the prospect a chin lift as I go past. Mateo is on duty today.
I don’t have a preference over any of the prospects, but if I needed one of them to have my back, I think it would be Mateo.
He is a classic example of the old saying, two ears and one mouth.
He pays attention to everything and everyone, but when he speaks it’s always relevant.
I’ve also noticed how much muscle he has put on since being here.
I should talk to Breaker and Griller and see how his training is coming along.
Maybe just Breaker. I can’t take any more lip from Griller.
Placing a call to Breaker through the SUV's Bluetooth, he picks up after only a couple of rings.
“What’s up, Fury? You’ve only just left the compound, man.”
“I was just wondering how Mateo was coming along with his training?” I reply.
“Well, his hand-to-hand is flying. He soaks up the instructions like a sponge, and he’s as natural as can be when it comes to the practical side. He would have been a natural for MMA if he would put his mind to it. Why the interest?” Breaker asks, sounding a little suspicious.
“I saw him on the gate as I left, and he looks like he’s bulking out nicely. I just wondered if he was all show and no substance, that’s all.”
“Hell, no. He works hard at everything, no matter how simplistic the task is. I know he runs and goes to the gym three, maybe four times a week. He is always the first on any list for extra duties or to help someone out. He was penciled in to learn duties for the bar when it came onboard, but that now, of course, has stalled. In fact, I think at times he could do with getting himself a life of his own. He seems to be all about helping others or just filling in his time.”
That’s quite a mouthful for Breaker. “No comments from you about a bromance, but I’m feeling kinda out of it lately. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll take him under my wing and he could hang out with me while I’m running around trying to occupy my time.”
Breaker states not nastily, mind you, “I think that would be good for both of you, only don’t just drop him when you and Jamie get your shit together again. That wouldn’t be fair to Mateo.”
I can tell by his voice that his concern is genuine, but I’m not the sort to forge a friendship and then dump them when someone or something else comes along.
“That’s not my style, Breaker. Hell, I still suffer your sorry ass.” The call ends, and I guess I’m dismissed.
Now I can focus on the road, and I don’t even have a destination in mind.
I escaped the clubhouse, but I don’t know where I’m heading.
I could see how the pet crematorium is coming along, maybe help out for an hour or so?
Arriving at the crematorium, I see several bikes and a work truck parked in the lot.
They’re not going to need my help I’m guessing, but as I’m here, I’ll still show my face.
Walking into reception, the smell of fresh paint hits me. I don’t know what it looked like before, but the pastel shades it is decorated with now certainly make it inviting. As inviting as a crematorium could get, anyway.
Hearing laughter from somewhere behind a closed set of double doors, I swing one open, and everyone stops what they are doing and looks my way. They are all standing around a coffin and look like they got caught with their pants down. Don’t tell me they have a body to dispose of already.
Seeing how they are trying to shield the coffin, I walk over to see what’s going on. Pushing between Winger and Prophet, I look inside the coffin.
“It’s not what it looks like, Fury. It was just some fun that got out of hand, is all.” Guardrail shakes his head as if this is just something that happens every day.
Noah, the prospect for construction has been laid out, arms crossed on his chest. “Holy fuck! I don’t want to be the one to explain this to Whack.”
As I turn to look at them all, Noah sits up, eyes popping open, and he grabs me. It’s a good job my morning routine includes emptying my bowels, or I’d have done it right here and now.
“You stupid, dumb motherfuckers!” Turning I walk out before I start throwing punches that will undoubtedly lead to a free-for-all, and me having more facial injuries to try to explain away.
Pulling out of the lot, I turn towards town and just drive.
I still don’t have a destination or a purpose for today, and that is starting to get under my skin.
I’m beginning to realize more and more just how much of my life was taken up with Doctor Jamie Grant.
Sitting at a set of lights, as if my thoughts had magically made her appear, Jamie drives by in the Ford.
I watch her go by and out of habit I scan the surrounding vehicles.
I do a double take at the driver of an old junker that is three cars behind, but I can’t place the guy with a beard driving it.
Deciding to follow, I slip into her lane when the lights change and I’m four back from the junker. Two junctions ahead and Jamie carries straight on. The junker turns off, and my spider-sense stops tingling. I’d rather be wrong than have something happen, if I’m truthful.
Not wanting to get caught tailing Jamie, either by her or Pres, I realize I’m in the vicinity of Razor Cuts, the club's barber shop, so head there for a quick freshen up. That should at least pass an hour, and I could do with a spruce-up.
Walking to the barber shop, I see what might have been the same old junker go by.
As Jamie would be miles away by now on the other side of town, I don’t give it much thought.
There are enough junkers running around that it may not even be the same one.
I understand people in hard times can’t always afford the best, but you’d think if you’re going to be driving around in what is effectively a one ton plus weapon they’d keep themselves and others safe by having it looked after.
Walking into the barber shop, I see an empty chair, so slip into it. Thorn appears behind me and wraps me in one of those God-awful capes.
“What’ll it be, Fury? The works, or just a trim?”
“Well, I sure don’t want the works. That includes a shave, doesn’t it?” I ask, sharply.
“Chill, I have to ask. Some people like a change now and then, which is all good for business,” Thorn grins at me through the mirror.
“Not for me right now, thanks. I have enough changes going on in my life.” I grin back at him. Andy finishes the guy in the next chair, and there’s just the three of us left in the shop.
“Any progress on the Jamie front? I was surprised when I heard that you two had gone your separate ways.” His genuine tone of concern stopped me from living up to my name and getting myself into a fury.
“We didn’t go our separate ways, Thorn, I blew it. I couldn’t see the wood for the trees when it came to having a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t stop and think. If I had, I would’ve listened to my heart and not my head.”
“What was the difference, if you don’t mind my asking?” Thorn gives me a questioning look along with his question.
“My head told me she was too good for me. My heart knew she was the one. I know now that my head was basing its decision on past shit. Shit that I should have let go of years ago. Stuff that had no place in my life anymore. My heart knew it was onto a good thing, and that was all that mattered. I can’t begin to tell you how I wish this had all turned out differently.
” Shaking my head has him stop what he is doing for a moment, then he continues snipping.
“I can’t tell you how to run your life, Thorn, but if you want to take anything from my shitshow of a life right now, I’d say this.
Think long and hard about what Ghost has told you.
Stop concentrating on those years you were alone.
Look at everything you have right now and then listen to what your head and heart are saying.
I guarantee you’ll come to the right decision for you. ”
“We’ve just spent a week together and I don’t think I heard a word he said. All I did, Fury, was shut him down. He was losing it with me when we came home, and thinking about what you’ve just said, I can understand why. You should be a relationship counselor,” Thorn says with conviction.
I burst out laughing and nearly lose an ear in the process.
“Oh, hell yeah. I can just see that as an advertisement. Relationship guidance from a man who’s never had a serious relationship, lost his mother at an early age.
His father was a drunk, abusive asshole who hasn’t been in his life for years.
I’ll have clients flocking to me for advice in their hundreds. ”
“Well, you’d have to work on how you market your brand if you put it that way,” Thorn laughs along with me.
I continue the conversation. “You know something else? I saw a guy today driving an old junker. I thought he was familiar, but it’s probably a déjà vu thing.
He could’ve been my father if he hadn’t had such long hair and a beard.
He may have been a drunk asshole, but he always hid it well by being smart and presentable. ”
Thorn hums before speaking again. “I’m glad you came in for a tidy-up today. Our talk has given me a different perspective on my father. Maybe I should give him a call and see if he wants to give me a second chance this time. I think I’d like that.”
“You go for it, kiddo. I wish mine was as simple as a phone call.” We shake hands and it feels good. I can’t remember the last time I shook hands with anyone.
“We’ll see how my call works out before I throw a party, but if there’s anything I can do, Fury, you only have to ask.” Leaving Thorn sweeping my trimmings from the floor, I head back to the SUV.
At this time of day, there’s only one destination left for me.
Back to the clubhouse. If they all want to carry on with their digs and comments, let ‘em have at it. I feel pretty good compared to how I’ve been lately.
Maybe I’ll surprise them all and just sit there grinning as I imagine the shiny brass plaque on my office door… Fury, Relationship Advisor.