Page 44 of Crew
"I got a good earful last night from my cousin," Alex said. He turned to me. "It was my second offense against you. Now, I'm not saying I don't want war. We outnumber your crew, but having said that, I was at fault. You guys were doing what you have to for a crew member. I get that. So..." He tipped his head. "I'm apologizing, Bren."
My insides clenched into a giant fist. What was this? I'd expected a fight.
"You apologized yesterday morning, then did the same thing twelve hours later. I'm thinking your apology is bullshit."
His eyes grew wary. "Okay. That's fair." He raised his chin. "What do you want instead? What can I do to show you I mean it?"
"What are you asking?"
"What do you want?"
I cocked my head to the side. "Are you messing with us?"
He lifted a shoulder, his hands tucked back into his pockets. "I'm assuming Jax didn't press charges. All those repairs are on her. That's gotta be expensive." He stopped, like he was mulling over his words. "I can pay for it," he offered.
His dad would pay for it. Not him.
If he'd offered last night, I would've taken him up on it. But not now.
"That ship's sailed, buddy. My brother's covering all the repairs." I narrowed my eyes and waited. That bombshell should hit him hard. It would hit anyone hard.
My relationship with Channing was what it was, but I hadn't exaggerated his standing in town.
At my words, Alex's cocky attitude vanished. His eyes widened, and he snapped to attention.
"Oh." He moved back a step.
Yeah.
Two of Alex's crew stepped up next to him. He leaned over, listening to what they said.
Jordan and Zellman broke through the crowd that had formed to watch. They stayed back on the sidewalk at a safe distance. Jordan kept skirting from Alex to Cross and me, but he kept quiet.
Before the crowd closed back up, I saw Race standing outside the school door. He was watching, waiting to see what would happen. There was no uncertainty in his posture. His head was high. His eyes were calm. He was ready--for what I didn't know. Alex's words came back to me. "I got an earful from my cousin last night."
What had Race said?
"Okay."
The two crew stepped away from Alex. He scanned the rest of mine with an intense look. "We'll go to your brother today. We'll request a meeting with him." He gestured to me. "You still can decide what I can do to make it up to you."
"I'm already repaying your debt to my brother," I told him. "It's a family thing. Trust me. He won't let you take my place."
"Still." His Adam's apple bobbed. "I'll go to him separately, and if you're repaying my debt already, then I really owe you."
I shared a look with Jordan. He'd deemed himself our leader. He could act like one now. But as if he'd read my mind, he shook his head as if to say "No, you got this."
I sighed. "I don't know, Alex. There's nothing I want from you."
His top lip curled into a slight smile. "Okay, but if there is, let me know. I'll hold up my end."
I stepped toward him, moving out ahead of my crew. Right now, I was the leader. "There will be retaliation if you don't."
"I know." His eyes held mine. He didn't waver or look away.
I moved back again. We'd see. "Fine." I didn't have a lot of faith in Alex, but you just never knew with him.
A full smile broke out. "Are we friends again, Bren?"
