“Have Stitch check our inventory and see what we need.” Nitro was our long-time supplier, and I knew him well enough to know, when he got in a shipment, he wouldn’t sit on it. If we needed to restock, we needed to act fast.
“I’ll have him do it first thing tomorrow.”
“Just let me know, and I’ll make the call to Nitro. Need to discuss a few things with him while I’m at it.”
We talked for over an hour, but didn’t get much said with all the brothers coming by to welcome me back. Once everyone had said their hellos, we headed to the kitchen. The girls outdid themselves with dinner, serving everyone’s favorite foods and drinks. They’d gone all out to make sure I knew they were glad I was back home. When everyone finished eating, we headed back into the bar for more drinking. The girls started picking songs on the jukebox, and it didn’t take long for the party to really get going. When Cass hit the dance floor with Henley and Tristan, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. As always, she completely captivated me with her absolute beauty. When a slow song came on, I knew it was my chance to rectify a mistake I’d made many months earlier. I walked over to the girls and reached for Cass, pulling her close to me as I started to dance with her.
“Are you seriously dancing with me?” Cass laughed.
“Looks like I am.” She rested her head on my shoulder and followed my lead as I swayed across the dance floor. There was no fancy footwork or spectacular spins, but it was enough. She knew how I felt about dancing, everyone did, but for her, I would do just about anything.
When the song ended, an upbeat rhythm replaced the sweet melody we’d been dancing to, and I shook my head, letting her know there was no way I was dancing to that shit. She smiled and mouthed, ‘Thank you’ before she watched me walk back over to my spot at the bar.
I looked around the room. Everyone seemed to be having a good time dancing and drinking, and I was surprised when Clutch approached me and asked, “You got a minute?”
“I do,” I told him. When he started walking toward the back door, I followed him. Once we were both outside, I asked, “What’s on your mind?”
He shoved his hands into his coat pockets and said, “I wanted to let you know I’m heading out for a while.”
I didn’t have to ask why he wanted to leave. I knew it was because of Cass. I’d seen the way he’d looked at her, and even though I’d been angry he’d let it happen, in the end, I couldn’t blame him for loving her. I’d fallen for her the minute she walked into the bar, so the fact he was telling me he needed to get away didn’t surprise me. I didn’t like it, but I understood his reasons for wanting to go.
“Where you headed?” I asked.
“No real destination in mind. Thinking about going down south for a bit. Take a few months to drive across country.”
I crossed my arms as I asked, “You coming back?”
“The club is my life, Cotton. Not letting it go. Just need some time to clear my head, is all,” he clarified.
“I can respect that. You gotta do what you gotta do. You have my support, but I have to ask. Are you planning to talk to Cass about this?”
He shook his head and answered, “Think it’s best if I don’t.” He reached in the back pocket of his jeans and brought out a small, white envelope with Cass’s name on it. He handed it over to me and said, “This is for her. It’s up to you whether she gets it or not.”
“I’ll see that she does,” I promised. “I expect you to touch base. Let us know you’re okay while you’re gone.”
“I will. And thanks. You and this club… don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“This is your home, Clutch. Nothing’s going to change that. The door’s always open when you are ready. Take the time you need, and we’ll be here when you get back.”
He gave me a quick hug, then turned and headed for his bike. He started up the engine, and I watched as he pulled out of the parking lot. It was hard to see one of my brothers leave, but I had to trust that in time, he’d eventually find his way back. He was one of my brothers, and I’d consider him my family until the end.