Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I’m sure you’ll work it out.”
“You sound confident.”
“Because I am... I wouldn’t have stepped down if I didn’t think you boys could handle things, and I was right. You’re handling it just fine.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “And for the first time in a very long time, I can sit back and let the stress of it all fall on someone else’s shoulders.”
“Like you wouldn’t be the first one to lose it if something went wrong,” I scoffed.
“I’m just a brother now, son. I can lose it all I want, but it’s not gonna change anything.”
My father couldn’t have been more wrong.
He had led the men of Fury for over thirty years.
There wasn’t a brother around who didn’t look up to him and respect him like a father, and because of that, he would always have a say.
I chuckled as I told him, “Yeah, whatever you say, Pop.”
I gave him a pat on the shoulder, then turned and made my way back over to Rooster and the rest of the guys. I was just about to sit down when I spotted Torch talking with Candy. He whispered something in her ear, then took her by the hand and led her out of the bar and down the hall. I wasn’t surprised that he’d dipped out. After a few rounds, most of the guys would go home to their ol’ ladies, and the unattached hook up with one of the club hang-arounds. I, on the other hand, tended to have a beer or two, then I’d head to the house.
Don’t get me wrong. I spent time with the club girls, and I had no complaints. But like most nights, I wanted nothing more than to land in my own bed and to land in it alone.
I stood up and tossed my empty beer bottle in the trash as I announced, “You boys have a good one. I’m heading to the house.”
“Seriously?” Roosted fussed. “It’s still early.”
“I’ve had my fill, brother. Besides, I need my beauty sleep.” I gave the rest of the brothers a nonchalant wave as I said, “See ya when I see ya.”
I walked out of the bar and out to my bike. Half an hour later, I was home, showered, and in my bed. The day had taken its toll on me, and I was beat. I thought I’d be asleep in no time, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. The longer I laid there, the quieter my house became and the more alone I felt.
It wasn’t the feeling I was hoping for.
I tried to shake it off, but the silence was suffocating. I couldn’t take it, so I grabbed my phone and started scrolling through social media. I hadn’t been at it long when my eyes began to feel heavy, and I felt myself starting to drift off. But just as I was about to give in to sleep, a message from my mother caught my eye.
Mom:
Don't forget to get fitted for your suit. Skylar’s wedding will be here before you know it.
Damn.
I hated fucking weddings. I hated everything about them. They were a big, lavish, heart-wrenching reminder of what I had given up, and I would never have again. I hated to break it to my mother, but there was no way in hell I was going to that wedding.
CHAPTER 6
Londyn
We couldn’t have picked a better day to take Dalton to the beach. The sun was shining brightly, and the waves were rolling high. I grabbed the picnic basket and blankets from the back, then followed Mom and Dalton down to the beach. A cool breeze blew in from the ocean as Dalton ran towards the shoreline. I didn’t want him to get too far from us, so I shouted, “Woah! Stay close, Buddy!”
“Okay, Momma,” Dalton answered, excitedly kicking up the water with his tiny feet. “It’s so cold!”
“I’m sure it is!” I dropped the picnic basket down on the sand as I told him, “Don’t go any deeper!”
Mom skirted past me and towards Dalton as she said, “I’ll go keep an eye on him.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”
My heart swelled with joy as I stood there watching as Dalton ran around with a big smile on his face. Laughter filled the air as he rooted his feet in the sand and wiggled his toes. He darted over and grabbed a seashell, proudly holding it up in the air as he shouted, “It’s a sea swell, Momma!”
“It’s beautiful!”
He shoved it in his pocket, then raced over and picked up another. I laid out our blankets, making the perfect spot for our picnic, then went over and joined Mom and Dalton. We strolled around the water’s edge searching for shells and rocks, and we’d gathered ourselves quite a collection when Dalton announced, “I’m hungry.”