Chapter 10
Prettyboy told himself he would steer clear of Fury for the night.
He told himself that he would keep his space, ignore the nagging voice in the back of his head that told him Fury was right.
Fuck it, he’d ignore everyone, especially Esmeralda Quinn.
“Hey. You okay?”
Torch asked him this as he poured Prettyboy his third glass of bourbon.
“Yeah.”
Torch leaned back against the bar and crossed his burly arms over his chest.
“You sure?”
Prettyboy grunted and Torch sighed.
“You all worked up over the new piece of ass that’s here?”
Prettyboy’s eyes narrowed as his gaze snapped to Torch’s.
“Excuse me?”
Torch held his hands up, his mouth lifting at the corner.
“What, man? You think I don’t notice the way pussy seems to fuck everything up around here?”
Prettyboy didn't even realize he was reaching for Torch until he had one fist wrapped around his cut as he slammed him face first into the bar.
“Esmeralda Quinn isn’t some piece of ass you can insult around here, she's an old lady! You’re a long ways from being patched in, so let me give you a little tip that may help you get there faster: watch your fucking mouth,” Prettyboy said as he released the prospect from his grip.
Torch sucked in a breath through a bloody nose as he quickly nodded.
“We got a problem here?,” Prettyboy heard from behind him.
He turned to see Ox watching them with wide amber eyes.
“No. Or do we?,” Prettyboy asked Torch, who was now wiping blood from his chin.
“No, boss. We’re good.”
Ox only nodded before he motioned towards Prettyboy.
“Follow me, we got some shit to discuss.”
Prettyboy sent one more glare in Torch’s direction.
“Sure,” Prettyboy said as he followed Ox outside.
“I heard you got into a scuffle with Fury today,” Ox said.
Prettyboy only grunted again but Ox stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Fury cares about you. We all do. And I think, as your president and your friend, I’ve let you down.”
Prettyboy hadn't seen Ox so serious in a long while; not since Rayna showed up covered in blood and tears.
“I’m okay.”
Ox laughed, but the sound didn't resonate with Prettyboy.
“You’re not. I know it, you know it. I’ve let you down, and for that I'm truly sorry. But, I want to help you now.”
Prettyboy sipped on his bourbon; he welcomed the familiar sting at the back of his throat as he swallowed.
“How are you going to do that?”
Ox’s eager eyes met his as he asked, “How can I help you? What can I do?”
“Nothing, Ox. There’s nothing left.”
Ox’s eyes widened as he stared at Prettyboy.
“So thats just it then?”
Prettyboy let his glass fall to his side as he faced Ox.
“What do you want me to tell you? That I wake up every day dreading the moment when I’ll have to see my reflection? That I wear a bandana because the sight of my own face makes me sick? That I still have nightmares about the day I burned alive? Or, how about the guilt that eats at me every time I look my brother in the eye, knowing that I inadvertently killed his sister?,” Prettyboy demanded, his voice raspy.
Ox scoffed and shook his head, his long hair falling into his eyes.
“We’ve all told you that shit isn't your fault!”
Prettyboy felt his insides curdle.
“Yeah, it is. It rests right fucking here,” He said as he thumped his fist against his chest.
Ox eyed him before he ducked his head.
He opened his mouth to reply, but they were both interrupted by the loud rumble of an engine and one bright headlight flooding the lot. As Rayna and Esme roared into a parking lot, Prettyboy watched as Esme hopped off the back of Rayna’s bike and headed inside of the clubhouse.
“Hey, boss!”
Rayna waved at the both of them, her smile as bright as ever.
“Hey,” Ox called.
Prettyboy watched as she too disappeared.
“This isn’t over,” Ox said softly.
“Yeah, this time I think it is.”
Prettyboy didn't wait for a response as he too headed inside, his leg slowing him down only by a few seconds.
The moment he stepped inside he saw Esme throwing back a shot, her slender throat arced as she swallowed the amber liquor in her glass. Rayna was right beside her, her blonde head tipped back as well.
“Hey,” She said.
Prettyboy nodded and headed towards a table in the back of the room. He figured he’d be safe if he kept his distance. His green eyes strayed towards her over and over again as she swallowed shot after shot, Rayna right beside her.
Eventually, every member of the club was situated in the great room. Eventually, even Green and Slayer were drinking alongside Rayna and Esme, with Fury not far behind.
Prettyboy felt the resentment at the situation riding on his broad shoulders as he watched on, a metaphorical fly on the wall.