Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Francis

As I ride to the clubhouse, I'm nervous as a motherfucking teenage boy getting ready to lose his virginity for Christ's sake. This weekend, I'm finally going over to Grace's for an evening out, starting with dinner and maybe a movie.

Yeah, we have been taking it slow. It has been well over three weeks since we shared our stories in the hospital cafeteria. We exchanged numbers so between texts and calls, we are getting to know each other. Add to the mix a couple of quick bites to eat, mostly lunches or dinners at the hospital when she was working, since her schedule didn't leave a lot for time for socializing.

Grace is an amazing woman; I'm discovering so many things about her through our conversations. She works at the clinic and also helps out at some homeless shelters in the area along with helping veterans.

Plus, both she and Damien go to the animal shelter at least once a month to volunteer their time there. That started years ago because it helped Damien to start to socialize. Animals don't shun you because of how you look with scars or burns. And since they both love animals it helps feed their desire to eventually adopt one, or from what Grace says, a few.

I've shared with Grace about how lonely my life can be, explaining I am either at the firehouse, the MC clubhouse, or home. I feel the most secure at home. I did share my interest in going to the animal shelter with her and Damien. This made her happy. Now just to find some time to actually do it.

She told me her favorite color, which is purple. She shared Damien's and her birthdays, so I told her mine. This might sound crazy, but I even went as far as going online and looked up dating etiquette. Such a fuckin' dumbass I am when it comes to women and relationships.

That is why I'm on the way to the club; I need to talk to Prez and get some advice. He has taken on the role of an older brother for me, and is one of the few people I trust to go to for advice or guidance. I want to bring Grace and Damien to the next family picnic at the club, so I need to talk to him about that also. Yeah, they are a bunch of badasses but they have started to include more family activities. Prez insists. Well Emmie, Brick's ol' lady, is the one pushing all the time for more family events. I personally think it is ‘cause Emmie loves kids so much and since, as of yet, she and Brick don't have them. She is getting her fix with the brothers broods. Now some of the brothers don't like the family functions, especially the ones used to the all-night orgy parties and crazy shit.

I pull into the fenced-in lot, the two prospects at the gate give me a two-finger salute as I ride by. Flicking my head up, I park in an empty spot. Being Friday, the weekend partying is already starting. I can hear the music blaring, even though it is early. Some of the brothers are in full swing of their weekend craziness as I hear the multiple voices in my head.

Not wanting to be around when the club hanger arounds and other brothers get here, along with the club whores, or as I prefer to call them sweet butts, I quickly get off my bike and head into the club.

Immediately, I smell the smoke, drugs, sweat, and sex in the main room. Adjusting my eyes, I see some of the brothers at the bar, kicking back beers in their hands. Others are already in the act of putting on a show with their public antics. Having sex, yeah, right in the open. And these acts always look rough to me. Looking toward the pool tables, there is a club whore spread out on one, taking men one right after the other. Her choice, as I hear her thoughts about how much she is enjoying the men and what they are doing to her.

Looking away, I walk down the corridor to the end of the hall and knock on the Prez's door. I hear a muffled, "Enter," and I open the door to see Brick's head deep in a pile of papers on his desk. He glances up at me and smiles.

"Stitch, get your ass in here and close the goddamn door. Those assholes started way to fuckin' early, so I want to try to get this shit done before I can try to sneak out of this cesspool. My ol' lady will have my ass if I stick around. What's on your mind, my man?"

Closing the door and sitting in a chair in front of him, I glance around. This room is a reflection of our prez; better known as Mike "Brick" Jones. Brick is almost as ripped as me, and his name fits him perfectly, as he is built like a brick shithouse. Not an ounce of fat on his frame. Solid. And I know this from feeling his right hand punches when we would go a round in the ring, and damn, he could even make me feel some hurt.

"I need a favor, Prez. I'm gonna take this to the next level with Grace. Well, with Grace and her son, Damien."

Watching his eyes pop out and his eyebrows go up, I let a nervous laugh out. Yeah, no one probably expected or ever thought I would find someone who would want to be with me, especially a woman like Grace who is smart and beautiful. She has her shit together or at least I think so.

"Yeah, I get it, Brick, but like I said, I need your help and more importantly your guidance. I've never dated anyone and I mean never. You have only ever seen me with the sweet butts and that's it. Been too afraid to even consider approaching a woman outside of the club. But Grace is different and I can't get her out of my head. She's under my skin already. So been thinkin' if Grace and I start dating seriously and exclusively, she comes with the all ready family package of not only her but also her son, Damien. She is very protective of him, as a mom should be, so I wanna do this right. You know her ex is part of that fuckin' MC that treated her worse than dog shit. Remember I told you that piece of shit Wrecker used to put hands to her and even tried to murder his own flesh and blood, his son little Damien, when he was just a baby. Don't understand it but I feel the need, I gotta protect them both."

"Tell me about her and her boy, Stitch, including the fucking shit the Satan's Flaming Marauders MC put her through. If I remember correctly they are still givin' her shit, right? I'm here for ya, brother, but you got to be smart about this. Stitch, I want you happy, as I want all of the brothers in our club happy, but for me first and foremost, I need to make sure the club is able to continue to function as we move toward the future .

"Now that future is gonna include ol' ladies, kids, and whatever other shit some of you fuckers drag into our club. You understand the brotherhood. This club has always stood for freedom, brotherhood, and loyalty. As we have grown and brothers are starting families, we have been trying to modify or be a bit more family friendly . Some brothers want their families with them sometimes and the picnics and get-togethers give these brothers the best of both worlds. I get it now that Emmie is in my life. For other brothers this is not only a struggle but also a constant battle, as you know some of the hardcore assholes don't want to change our ways. They don't want to include ol' ladies and kids. Some brothers like the way the club was back in the day and don't want to change ever.

"Unfortunately in life everything changes. And don't think I can't see the struggles you fight, brother. I do, and knowing what I know, that is why I took you on not only as a prospect but also as a nomad. I could see you needed something to fulfill you and thought this brotherhood would help you with that. But I also know we fill only one side of you; just like that firehouse and your crew there fills the other side of you. I also know you're devoted to this club and me. You've already proved it by using those fuckin' sixth sense skills of yours to help our club and your brothers in times of need.

"Sayin' that, as president, my job is to protect not only the club but all of its members too. So if you getting involved with Grace and her kid is gonna bring a shitstorm down on us with that asshole MC, I need to know and be prepared. We already have enough bullshit going down with the Satan's Flaming Marauders. And from what you've told me, Wrecker and his club are trying to keep an eye on Grace's comin' and goin's, so I'm guessin' they will see your ass with her and her kid. Probably won't play out good I'm thinkin'."

As we talk, I again realize how smart Brick is. He always takes the time to weigh everything out before he makes any decisions. And his thoughts match up with what comes out of his mouth, always. That is why Brick is Prez of the Grimm Wolves MC. After we talk for a better part of an hour, we part company. I feel better, lighter and hopeful. Fuck even more new emotions and feelings for me to process. Shit, everything right now is new to me. Grace is totally having a positive effect on me.

And to top off our talk, Brick gave me some pointers on dating and what women like. Let's just say it was like the conversation I assume goes on between a father and son, when the son is going out on his first date. How Brick knew I needed this information and guidance is beyond me, but he totally gave me some direction on how to proceed tonight that I'm grateful for.

Brick

Watching Francis "Stitch" Stein walk out of my office, I know deep in my soul that man does not belong in this MC. I knew this years ago when he first approached me. But flipping the coin, I knew he didn't belong at the firehouse either. I'm not sure where he belongs, but one thing I know for sure is he doesn't need to be alone.

His life up until he found his brothers here and at the station was horrific because of the fucked-up shit his parents burdened him with so many years ago. He stumbled through life with no direction just trying to exist. Stitch might not understand it or even believe it, but he is one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure to know in my life. With guidance he now walks the path of his destiny. The best of both worlds and everyone he allows in his life is that much better.

Then when you add in the crazy shit he is able to do; fucking reading people's thoughts, getting their emotional vibes and seeing auras around people, giving him the insight, letting him know if they are good or evil has helped him balance his life. I don't even know the extent of his powers or skills. Just living with that would drive someone insane you would think. I owe my brother Stitch for all the times he has helped me in really tough situations, not only in club business but personally.

I hope this Grace chick and her boy work out for Stitch because I can already see he's invested with his heart. It's so easy to read his ass. All he has ever wanted was to belong somewhere and be loved. For him that is a huge fuckin' thing. The club will survive, I just worry he won't if this relationship with Grace and Damien doesn't work out.

Being his president, and more importantly his friend, hopefully he knows that both his brothers and I will always have his back, no matter. Whatever path he decides for the future I want what is best for him. Knowing Grace struggles with a prior club, if their relationship progresses he might decide to leave. It would be a huge loss to us as his skills have saved many brothers' lives already. Brothers who have no idea how close they were to death and how much Stitch has done for them and the club. All I can do is wait, watch, and support him.

I reach for my go to bottle of Jack Daniels and a glass. I fuckin' need a drink about now. All the shit is combining and starting to weigh on me heavy. Thinking this I realize I need to finish this shit up to get out of here and head home. I can hear the party revving up and don't want to get stuck here with these assholes. My Emmie is probably getting dinner started and I definitely don't want to fuck that up. My woman can definitely cook if the extra five to eight pounds I'm carrying around recently are evidence.

I reach for my drink, gulp it down, and get back to work. Time is a wastin'. Figure if I give this my all should be on the road in less than an hour. Gotta remember to give Emmie a call to let her know I'm on my way.

One of the few demands she has of me when I'm at the club.