Page 78 of Between Brothers

“I don’t even know what day it is…” I said honestly.

“Funeral was six days ago, and while you’ve been wallowing in your own self-pity? Your woman’s been handling it all on her own.” I met Dragon’s disapproving gaze and he heaved a heavy sigh.

“She okay?” I asked.

“What d’you think?”

I wanted to ask him to cut me a break, but I was well aware I didn’t deserve one. I sighed and swiped a hand over my face and told the truth, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Man the fuck up. Take a fuckin’ shower, clean yourself up and go see if you got a relationship left with that girl to save.” He eyed me up and down and added, “No matter what the outcome, stay out of the fuckin’ bottle for a while. Seriously, surprise yer fuckin’ liver and drink some fuckin’ water.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dragon sighed heavy and said, “You need to tread lightly when it comes to that girl, she’s stronger than you know and she’s got some shit to fight for. Don’t expect it to be an easy row to hoe. She dumps yer ass, you’ve fuckin’ earned it. Just know that even if shit goes south between you an’ her, the club’s gonna be there for her. We know she was with both of you, but we’re treatin’ her like the ol’ lady of a fallen brother. She’ll be looked after the rest of her days. Always has a place to go.”

I nodded, tears collecting in my eyes. I was grateful for that. The club didn’t have to do that. Not when neither Cell, nor I, had claimed her as our property. I wanted to, now… I just may not have a choice in the matter.

“Go on, git. Take that fuckin’ thing with you. I suspect you’ll feel more like yerself once yer cleaned up.”

I nodded, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. All the shit we done so far has been for yer woman.”

I searched Dragon’s face and saw nothing but tough love there. He may have said it was for Hayley, but it’d been just as much for me, too. I sucked in a deep breath, in through my nose and out through my mouth and got my ass up, griping the IV stand I was hooked up to and rolling it towards the back door so I could go do what I was told.

The IV bag was damn near empty and I still didn’t have to piss. I wasn’t exactly a hot mess anymore, thanks to the care of my brothers and best friend… I guess I was just more like a giant steaming pile.

I sure felt that way anyways.

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