Page 32 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“I was in the area and thought I’d drop by and see Reckless. He around?”
“Yeah, he’s inside. Come on.” Wolf leads the way through the door and emits a sharp whistle. Every brother in the place looks toward us. “Reckless. You know this bum?”
Everyone knows he’s ribbing me.
I spot Reckless across the room about to make a shot at a pool table. When he sees me, a huge grin breaks across his face, and he tosses his cue on the felt, then makes a beeline to me, capturing me in a big bear hug.
“Shine. Brother. Goddamn.”
It’s good to see him again. So fucking good.
“What the hell are you doing here? Why didn’t you call me?” he asks.
“It wasn’t exactly planned. Daytona arranged for me to stay up at that cabin on Lake Mary. I needed to get away and clear my head. I had a fucking great surprise when I walked in that place.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” Reckless asks, and the other men all stand around to hear the story.
“I find a pretty little thing waiting in nothing but an Evil Dead t-shirt. Guess they arranged a gift for me. Shocked the shit out of me.”
Reckless laughs and slams a hand on my shoulder. “You dawg.”
Wolf holds up his palm for a high-five, and I slap it.
“Yeah, she’s one of Sonny’s girls. She said a friend dropped her off. I don’t know how my prez pulled it off, but goddamn, I’m gonna have to thank him.”
“Come on,” Reckless says. “Let’s get a beer. Catch me up on what’s been going on in Vegas.” He leads me to the bar, and the others drift off, giving us privacy to catch up.
“Goddamn, it’s good to see you, Reckless. The Nevada chapter isn’t the same without you, man.”
“I miss all you guys, too. More than you know,” he replies.
“So, how’s life in Cali? You and Harley Jean doing good?”
“Life’s great here. I have to tell you… I was nervous about making the move, but I love it. Best decision I’ve ever made, brother.”
“That’s good to hear, though I miss the hell out of you.”
“How are things in Nevada? How’s your mom and sister doing?”
“Ma’s good. She’s getting old. Wants grandkids, and that’s not happening anytime soon.”
“What about you and Becca?”
“She took off a month ago. Had enough of the life, I guess.”
“Oh, man. Sorry to hear that.”
I shrug. “Can’t force something that just isn’t right, ya know?”
He nods. “Yeah. I suppose not. How’s your sister? She doin’ any better?”
I shake my head and take a sip from my longneck, then scratch my thumbnail down the wet label. Reckless’ hand lands on my shoulder.
“You okay?”
“It’s been rough. She hasn’t been the same since the attack. Not sure she ever will be.” I chug another sip. “Got some news, though.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
