Chapter 43
Declan
It’s been three months since the shit went down with Brooke and her uncle. I couldn’t believe how easy it was for him to mimic the fucking Dragons. Once they found the others who Darren was working with, they killed them all. I was ok with that. I was ok letting them take over and handle the rest of them. My heart hasn’t been right since she left here, though. It aches for her, but I knew from the day I met her that I wasn’t what she needed. She needs and deserves more than I can give her.
“You look like shit,” Blu says sitting across from me. I watch him light up a cigarette before passing me one.
“I feel better. This shit won’t keep me down.” Blu nods as I blow out a ring of smoke.
“I know. We’re havin’ that party tonight for Cherry’s birthday. You still up for it?”
I nod before I say, “Damn right I am. It’s been awhile since we had a good one. Nixon and his boys comin’ down?”
“Yeah. Now that other shit is sorted out, they’re back on good terms with us. That shit could’ve gone south,” he says.
I reach for my beer and take a long pull before I reply. “Yeah. I heard that. Sorry that shit got brought to the club, brother.” His eyes meet mine as he shakes his head.
“She’s family. Whether you two figure that shit out or not, you claimed her in front of everyone, Dec. We’ve kept eyes on her. Tic’s got his boys over there fixin’ the damn club. I put some money in an account to get that shit back up and runnin’. She might not like it, but the club’s gonna be a part of that shit. Thought you could talk to her about it.” My eyes jerk to his. Has he lost his fucking mind?
“Do you have any idea how pissed she’s gonna be that you fronted the money?” I raise my eyebrows. No way in fuck is that information coming from me!
Blu chuckles. “Yeah, I figured she’d be pissed, but it’s the only way to get it runnin’. She didn’t have the funds to do it, but I know it means a lot to her. Mystic ran her finances and shit.”
I nod my head. I know she’d be happy to have it up and running. It may only be a strip club, but it was hers and her uncle’s. I know how hard she worked to keep it going for him.
“Maybe Tic can bring it up. They seem to be pretty close these days.” I lean back in my chair and blow the smoke from my lungs.
“Tic what?”
I look over my shoulder to see Tic standing there with his arms crossed over his chest.
“You’re close with Brooke these days. You can talk to her about the money Blu put into Leggs.” I hear him huff, but I turn around not needing to see the look on his face.
“You’re pissin’ me off, motherfucker,” he snaps. I shove out of my chair and glare at him.
“That so? I ain’t sayin’ shit that ain’t true.” I can see the anger in his eyes. I don’t give a shit either.
“You two wanna calm down?” Blu says, trying to diffuse the situation. It doesn’t do anything, though. I know where he’s been every fucking day for the last three months.
“Fuck that, Blu. He’s in with her; he can talk to her. I got shit to do.” I turn and walk away. My heart feels heavy in my chest.
Nothing feels right around here anymore. My attitude has shifted and I take my anger out on my brothers. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore. I find myself sitting out back on the picnic table.
“You want some company?” Prim asks. Prim of all people! That girl is as nasty as they come. Her attitude is about as shitty as mine.
“That depends. Are you on the rag? You know you’re shitty,” I say to her. She gives me a small smile before sitting next to me.
“Why are you so shitty?” I ask her. Me and her have never really talked. She’s been around since she was little, but we rarely talk.
“You know what it feels like to love someone you can’t have?” I follow her gaze to Blu. I raise my eyebrows. I never realized she had a thing for him.
“What makes you think you can’t have him?” She slowly drags her eyes back to me.
“He’s in love with someone else. No one sees it but me, but it’ll come out eventually,” she says with a hint of sadness in her voice.
“You know that for sure?” I ask her. She gives me a small smirk before running a hand through her hair.
“I know that for sure, Declan, or I’d make a move. I may be a club whore, but I’m not a homewrecker. I’d never touch one of the guys who had an old lady or was interested in someone else. I do have some kind of morals,” she huffs. I grab her shoulder and pull her into my side.
“You know, I’ve always watched you walk around here with an attitude. I wondered what the hell pissed you off so badly,” I say.
Prim laughs before she says, “Love. This fucked-up heart of mine. Emotions. Hell, what more can I say?” She giggles as she lays her head on my shoulder.
“You’ll find the one. It’s not your time yet, darlin’,” I tell her.
Prim nods before looking up at me. “But it’s yours. Don’t let her go, Dec. She’s a good one. We can all see how happy she makes you. Don’t let the little things keep you from the bigger things in life.”