Always Crew

by Tijan

  Except it wasn’t, because while I had been worried about getting that call, the one stating someone I used to care about had been shanked in prison, it never came. The more time that past, the more confident I became that Drake had somehow escaped certain death. Then again, that was also something he did.

  “Let me guess, you had another card to hold over someone?”

  An abrupt laugh. This one was short and brief, still genuine. “Something like that, yeah.”

  Cross came back, then disappeared into the closet. We were in his room, so it was a larger walk-in than mine upstairs. He came back with sweats pulled on, but nothing else. Leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms over his chest.

  I found myself getting distracted.

  Once again.

  “Why are you calling?”

  He drew in a long breath. “Word is that my baby mama had my baby.”

  I frowned. That’d been weeks ago. “Yeah?”

  “Sunday’s not letting me see the baby.”

  “Why would she? Isn’t that too early?”

  “Not for pictures. Not to even be told what she named my kid. Fuck, Bren. I don’t even know if I have a son or a daughter.”

  Oh. Whoa. Sunday was being cold, ice cold.

  “That’s nothing to do with me.”

  “That’s the point of this call. You do me a solid, I’ll do you a solid.”

  See. He always had an agenda.

  “How could I do you a solid?” I hissed, “And do not make an innuendo about that or I will drive there and shank you myself.”

  Another laugh, but his humor was fast fading. “A call from you. If you push her to let me in, get to know my kid. Fuck, just telling me what I have would be big. What do I have, Bren? A daughter? A son?”

  I looked up.

  Cross was frowning, and some of his normal annoyance had lessened. A brief flare of sympathy was there. I answered, hoping I wasn’t violating some major code with Sunday (I was still learning). “You have a little girl, but I’m not saying anything else.”

  He exhaled sharply, sounding loud over the phone. “Thank you. Thank you. That means… fuck. That means a lot. Thank you.”

  I was already frowning, because damn, I don’t know if I should’ve told him. “As for calling her on your behalf, I need to think on it.”

  Cross’ head lifted up, his chin jutting out, and he clenched his jaw. “What’s the solid you’re doing us?”

  “Ahh. Of course. Lover-fucking-boy has to be in on this conversation. Isn’t it enough you stole her from me, Cross? Huh? I can’t even have this call asking to find out about my own kid—”

  Cross crossed the room in two strides, plucking the phone out of my hands. “Listen to me, dipshit. Fucking tell us what ‘solid’ you’re doing for us, or I’m hanging up and we’ll not say a goddamn word to Sunday about you. Zellman’s with her, did you know that?”

  “Shut up,” Drake clipped out from his end.

  “Yeah. He’s there. Heard she had the baby and he didn’t feel right not being there. He’s been there. With her. Helping her. With your kid. He’s probably held your kid, changed her diapers. She’ll know he’s more her dad than you are if he sticks with her—”

  “Shut up!”

  A hard and feral glint shone from Cross. His lip curled up, but he quieted. “That’s what I thought. Stop dicking around and get to the point. What do you have that you think we’d want?”

  “There’s word out that a certain motorcycle club that Bren’s dad belongs to is looking for someone.”

  Cross met my gaze.

  He was talking about the witness, the lone witness holding together an entire case for thirty warrants. Of course, Drake would find out who that was.

  “And?”

  Drake laughed, now sounding cocky. “And I’m wondering if you want a name?”

  “Why don’t you call them yourself?” “Uh, because I think them reaching out to Sunday on my behalf would do more damage than be helpful.”

  The sarcasm was heavy.

  “Stop with the attitude,” I called from the bed.

  “Ah. And there’s my ex speaking again. So, what’s it going to be? I’ll give you something to help out your daddy, and you help me out. An even exchange.”

  “My dad’s supposed to be clean of everything, so this actually doesn’t help my dad.”

  As soon as the words were out, I grimaced. I had learned. Right? This was Drake. You don’t trust Drake Ryerson. It was a cardinal rule in my world, and I just broke it. Why had I told him that?

  “Doesn’t matter. One and the same. If Raith and the club keep looking for the witness, time will tell, but I’m guessing they’ll get more desperate. Even the ‘clean’ members will get pulled in to get dirty, and that’s your pops, Bren.”

  Pops. Even he was calling him that name.

  Cross frowned. “Why’d you call him that?”

  “What?”

  “Pops. Why’d you call him that?”

  “That’s what he went by in here. They talk about him still.”

  I frowned. Was that normal? But then again, he got released because of a dirty cop, so maybe he was more known than I would’ve thought.

  “What’s it going to be?”

  Cross raised an eyebrow at me.

  I shook my head, saying, “We’ll have to think on it.”

  Drake groaned from his end. “Don’t tell me you need to do a stupid ‘crew meeting’ about it? Or are your boys there?”

  I glared at the phone because it wasn’t any of his business, then I forced myself to relax. I chided back, “No. Jordan is actually on his way to Roussou today, not that it’s any of your business. And don’t be jealous, Drake, just cause you don’t have a crew.”

  He snickered. It was short and sweet. “Fine. I can wait till your boys get back. Have your crew meeting. I got phone time tomorrow morning, or I can email you with the name. Your call.”

  That was it.

  I started to get up from the bed.

  Then, “Hey, Shaw.”

  I paused, the bedcover half in the air.

  Cross’ thumb had been moving to the end button. “Yeah?”

  “You guys are all in Cain, right?”

  “How’s that your business?”

  “We got a Tim Harper on the prison board here. Word around here is that he’s big where you are. I know his kid. Can you believe that? Random, huh? What are the odds that you know him, too?”

  I was up in a heartbeat and snatching the phone back. “Are you on social media? I didn’t think you could go on there from prison.”

  He laughed, this one lasting long and it sounded ripe. “No, no. We can email. That’s about it, but I just thought what a small world, right? So do you guys know a Harper there?”

  I recognized this new tone from him. He was fucking with us, and not giving a damn, I ended the call.

  “Do you—”

  Nope.

  I tossed the phone onto a pile of clothes, grabbed his hand, and tugged him back to bed. He needed those sweatpants off and right now.

  “Okay, then.”

  I laughed, my mouth finding his, and there were no more words shared.

  CROSS

  “Dickweed.”

  Not this again.

  I rotated on a pivot, my hand already up in the air. Blaise was coming in from behind me, and I grabbed him by his throat. The momentum of him coming to a stop, and I backed him up to a tree behind him. Slamming him against it, I was in his face. “Stop. Calling. Me. That.”

  I’d been walking to class, not enjoying that I left Bren back at the house alone. Jordan left early this morning, and I knew he was hoping to get back either tonight or tomorrow sometime. With everything that happened yesterday, Brock thought it’d be a good idea if Bren took a leave of absence until the whole Red Demons thing was laid to rest.

  Bren didn’t know when that would happen, so she was also not only taking a leave of absence, but she was studying for her bounty
hunting license. So at least she wasn’t wasting her free time.

  All that said, I was on edge.

  I had two crew members out of town, one who wasn’t keeping in touch enough to make me feel comfortable, so the other had to go get him and bring him home, and then there was Bren who was home after dealing with some serious emotions. All that shit, and just my normal ‘brother’ anger was getting channeled into Dickweed right now.

  His eyes opened. “Whoa.” He stiffened, then his hands were up and he shoved me back. It was a brief hit, almost like a pop, but I didn’t fight it. I let him go, stepping back, and my head lowered, but I kept my gaze on him.

  We had a whole crowd around us.

  He rubbed at his neck, reassessing me. “What crawled up your finger hole?”

  “Don’t.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets because I wanted to hit him.

  Badly.

  Really badly.

  He rolled his eyes, stepping away from the tree. “Yeah, yeah. Guess I had that coming.” Then, his bag was picked back up from where he dropped it, thrown over one shoulder, and he started for our class alongside me. “Girls’ night is tomorrow. Aspen’s going to call Bren herself, but I’m extending a reminder about what she said she’d do. Oh, and they’re planning on starting at Aspen’s dorm room. The RA’s a soccer groupie, so she lets Aspen do whatever she wants.”

  I wasn’t surprised.

  About any of that.

  “Bren will do what she promised.”

  “Good.” Then he looked around, making a big show of it. “Noticed your one boy’s been gone for a while. When’s Dickwit coming back?”

  We stepped inside the building and I pushed him back out, grabbed the door and shut it in his face. Hitting the doorjamb, I flicked him off and backed away from the door, smiling.

  Now I was in a good mood.

  BREN

  Cross: Girls’ night is tomorrow night. Aspen is going to call you. Blaise wants to make sure you’ll still do what you said.

  Cross: What did you say you’d do?

  Bren: I will and I just said I’d go for added protection for Aspen.

  Cross: He’s worried about Harper?

  Bren: Yes.

  Cross: Harper was in class and sitting with his frat brothers. Blaise said it wouldn’t be that easy to get him kicked out of the frat.

  Bren: Where was Zeke sitting?

  Cross: Zeke didn’t come to class.

  Bren: Interesting. Where did Blaise sit?

  Cross: Right next to Harper.

  Bren: I can only imagine…

  Cross: It was pretty funny to watch.

  Zellman: I’m bored.

  Bren: Me too.

  Zellman: Why are you bored? Miss you guys, by the way.

  Bren: Miss you back. And I’m studying for my license test.

  Zellman: That’s cool. You’ll be awesome at that. What’s the gossip there?

  Bren: There’s too much for a text convo.

  Zellman: Really????

  Bren: Come back here. Will fill you in.

  Zellman: J-dawg is supposed to be in class. Why’s he calling me?

  Bren: Answer and find out.

  Bren: Zellman?

  Bren: Z?

  Bren: Zellman?

  Channing: Got word something’s happening. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR DAD OR ANY RED DEMONS! Stay the fuck away from your job, too, just to be safe.

  Bren: Brock put me on LOA anyway.

  Channing: Why are you on a LOA? What’s a LOA?

  Bren: Leave of absence, and he thought I should stay away until the RD stuff settles, too.

  Channing: That’s good then.

  Channing: Wait. Why did he do that?

  Channing: Because you stabbed Dad?

  Bren: Yes. I found Dad at Twister Sister and yelled at him, told him to get out of my life.

  Channing: Holy fuck…

  Channing: I’m going to ignore that you never called to check in with me because I think you’re my new hero, Bren. My sister, my idol.

  Bren: Shut up.

  Channing: You’re Moose and Linc’s idol, too. Congo’s in a mood, so you’re not his.

  Bren: I can die happy.

  Channing: Don’t talk like that. Ever.

  Bren: It’s a phrase. I don’t mean it.

  Channing: Still never say it.

  Bren: When are you coming back for a regular visit? No dad drama.

  Channing: I’m not sure. Maybe sooner than I thought, but I don’t know what’s happening, just that something is happening. My guys on the streets are not talking. Everyone is bunkering down and even all the way over here in Roussou, that’s not a good sign.

  Bren: How do you know it has to do with Dad’s MC?

  Channing: Because they’re the only name being talked about lately. Just stick with your crew and college stuff. You should be fine then.

  Bren: Will do. Love you.

  Channing: Love you. BE SAFE! And if you have to stab Dad again, I want to be there.

  Jordan: At Roussou. At Sunday’s. Did not take much convincing. Zellman is coming back.

  Bren: Good. You have time to talk to Tab?

  Jordan: Yeah. I’ll fill you in later, tho. That’s more complicated.

  Bren: Okay.

  Bren: Got a call from Drake this morning. There’s something Cross and I need to fill you and Zellman in on later.

  Jordan: Something bad?

  Bren: Could be. We don’t know.

  Jordan: Crew meeting?

  Bren: Crew meeting.

  Jordan: I’ll tell Zellman. He’s drooling, said he’s been bored changing diapers, being sleep-deprived and not getting ass.

  Bren: I didn’t need to know the last part.

  Jordan: Neither did I. You’re welcome.

  Zellman: What’s happening? I can’t handle the suspense.

  Bren: Crew meeting when you get back.

  Zellman: We’re coming back tonight then.

  Message to Wolf Crew:

  Zellman: CREW MEETING!

  Jordan: Dude. Not necessary. I’m right next to you.

  Cross: In class. I’m bored. What’s going on?

  Bren: I told them we have something to fill them in on later.

  Zellman: CREW MEETING!

  Zellman: I need to get laid. I have not gotten laid the entire time out here. Sunday and I are very firmly never getting back together. Ever. I need sex. My hand hurts.

  Bren: We don’t need to know that.

  Jordan: Dude.

  Cross: Still bored. Text more, Z. What lotion do you use?

  Jordan left the group

  Bren: You’re just asking to annoy J and me. You’re not even planning on reading his response.

  Cross: It’s like you bone me. I mean ‘know’ me.

  Bren left the group.

  Unknown number: This is your father. Stay away from Twister Sister and your job.

  Unknown number: I love you.

  Bonbon: I programmed my number in your phone.

  Bonbon: If you need backup doing whatever you’re doing, call me. I know a guy that can get a van, the VIN numbers scratched out and dummy license plates. No questions asked. He’ll just charge twenty bucks to clean it out afterwards.

  Bonbon: Offer’s always there.

  Bonbon: You should change your passcode.

  Bren: Hey.

  Taz: Nope. I’m enjoying the emails.

  Taz: Miss you! Stay safe. Hug my brother for me.

  Taz: The one you sleep with, not the other one.

  Taz: Just clarifying.

  Taz: Going back to emails now.

  BREN

  Aspen calling.

  I was still frowning about my dad’s text when I answered. “Hey.”

  “Bren! Hi!”

  I eased back. Aspen’s voice hitched at the end, squeaking. She was nervous.

  “What’s up?”

  “Um. So.” She let out a breath. “I know Blaise asked you to kinda watch over me tomorrow night, but
I’m actually calling about something else.”

  “Okay?”

  She was silent.

  I waited.

  Another beat.

  I had to smile. For how in your face her boyfriend was, I forgot how not in your face his girlfriend was. “Hey, just so you know.”

  “Yeah?” She inhaled into the phone.

  “I would’ve hung out with you tomorrow night anyway. Your guy didn’t have to ask me to do that.”

  “I know.” A sigh. “But it’s nice to hear. But, okay. Here we go. Um, I was thinking that since Blaise doesn’t have a game tonight, and he just texted that Jordan and Zellman both weren’t in class so … would you and Cross be interested in a double date? With us, I mean. Tonight.” She rushed on, not letting me answer, “I mean. You know. It doesn’t have to be anything big or a lengthy time investment. Or, it can be short. We don’t even need to talk. We can do dinner and a movie. Yeah. Maybe a drive-thru so Cross and Blaise don’t have to talk, then a movie.”

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “I think both will endure a date for us.”

  She sighed again. “You don’t know Blaise—” She cut herself off. “Wait! You do. You totally know him, but yeah. Let’s do that angle. If I tell him it’s important to me, he’ll watch himself.”

  Which was something I wasn’t surprised about.

  Aspen was the giant pinkie finger and Blaise was wrapped around it. Totally and completely.

  “We can do dinner and a movie, if you’d like?”

  “I would.”

  We decided on a venue and a time, and then I delivered the news.

  Cross’s response was, “What?!”

  I laughed. This was going to be a fun night.

  Aspen picked a diner that was off-campus and set a little off the normal path, meaning when we pulled up, the parking lot was half-empty. Cross parked the truck and just shook his head. “Why are we doing this?”

  I laughed.

  I’d been laughing most the day.

  “Because Aspen called and it’s Aspen.”

  He growled. “That doesn’t work for me. Why the fuck are we doing this?”