Chapter Eight

Fox

AFTER KINGSTON GOT on his daily bike, he's been out riding a few times. Never alone, but he's been riding. Honestly, I'm not sure what it will take for my son to get out riding alone just because he wants to again. Kim and I will always do whatever it takes to get him back where he needs to be, but if he doesn't talk to us, we can't help him. Killer and I have been keeping a close eye on him and have been out riding a few times. Kingston is scared to go the speed limit or even above it. Before, that never would've stopped him. Now, we need to push him to get him to go the slightest bit faster and I'm not sure if he'll ever ride the same way again. I've tried to talk to him about buying a new sport bike and Kingston walks away. He's not saying no or telling me he doesn't want to get back on one. So, Killer and I have taken this over and did something we're not sure if Kingston is gonna kill us or not.

Walking through the clubhouse, I'm searching for my son since his bike is parked out front and I know he's here somewhere. I make my way to the back of the clubhouse where we've made a game room of sorts for the kids. It was made years ago and we never took everything out of it because the kids still use it every now and then when we're all at the clubhouse. They've got everything in there and I know Kingston has spent a ton of time in there after his accident. He goes in there and hides away from the world while getting lost in his head. It's not good for him, but I'm not going to make him talk to us until he gets things worked out whatever is bothering him before talking to someone else about what's going on.

Opening the door, I find Kingston playing a game of pool by himself. He's walking around the table and sinking one shot after another. If there's one thing besides riding that Kingston's good at, it's playing pool. He's been playing since he could reach the table and I don't know that we'll ever get him to stop. Right now, I watch him as he leans a little heavy on the table. That tells me his leg is bothering him and he needs to get off his feet but he doesn't want to be around others.

"Kingston, what's goin' on, Son?" I ask him, finally telling him I'm in the room with him as he looks up and smiles at me.

"Nothin'. Just tryin' to keep my head straight and not get lost again," he answers me, setting his pool cue down on the table and limping over to me.

"You've been on your feet too long today. Why don't you come with me? Killer and I have somethin' for you," I tell him, waiting until he gets next to me before moving from the room with him at my side.

It hasn't happened in a long time, but when Kingston first started walking again, his leg would buckle and he fell or almost fell so many times. It frustrated my son so much and there was nothing we could do to take that feeling from him. When he finally talked to us about it, he said he felt like every step he took forward was counteracted by him falling five steps backward. We tried to make him understand that this is all part of his recovery, but he didn't want to hear that. I get where he's coming from, but it made things so hard because we truly can't help him do anything mentally to get over this. This is the shit he has to work through himself and come to us when he's ready to talk. Or tell us he's ready to talk to a professional so he can get where he needs to be mentally.

We walk through the clubhouse and don't pay attention to anyone coming in and settling in at the tables for our evening dinner. I think they'll only be here another day or two and we're all spending as much time as possible with our kids before we make the trip to Pine View. We're all grateful for the extra time even if Vault is going insane because he wants to be back home where the storm has been horrible. Chrome has been keeping him updated on the situation back there, but I think he's holding back. I've done my research and if Vault truly knew the extent of the damage in Pine View, he'd be heading back on his own right now without waiting for his wife and kids, Valor and his family, or anyone else. The pictures I've seen and the videos from the camera footage I've accessed show so much destruction. People have lost their homes, businesses, and so much in the span of a few seconds.

Kingston follows me outside where Killer and Kim are waiting for us. I watch my son carefully as we make our way over to them. Behind my wife and brother-in-law is a tarp covering up the gift for my son. After getting Kingston on the bike and making him ride with us behind the clubhouse, I know this is the only way he's ever going to get back on a sport bike. Killer, Kim, and I talked about this for a long time before we did anything. I'm probably making the wrong move here, but I have a feeling this is what Kingston needs and I'm going to push him on this.

Accidents happen and Kingston's was bad. He's lucky he's still here with us and I know that can weigh on a person mentally. Every single day he gets more confident while riding his daily bike. I hope the same can be said about this new sport bike.

"What's goin' on, guys?" Kingston asks, looking between all of us with confusion filling his face.

"Son, you know I love you and I'm never gonna force you to do somethin' you're not ready to do. However, I think in this instance you are more than ready but your fear is holdin' you back. Kingston, you've already proven that you're ready to ride and just needed a little push in the right direction. So, we're gonna push you on this. Killer, if you'd remove the tarp," I state, giving Killer a nod as Kim steps back just a little so she's not in the way.

Killer removes the tarp and lets it fall to the ground on the opposite side of Kingston's new bike. It's a red and black Hayabusa that we searched for all over Benton Falls and the surrounding area. This isn't the bike he had before, but I know my son has been looking at them for a long time and was seriously considering buying one a while ago. Then he had the accident and all of that fell away and he hasn't looked at a single sport bike since that day. I can't really blame him, but with him gaining his confidence back, I know this is the right time to do this for him. At least that's what I'm telling myself as I wait for my son to say something about the bike.

"Where did you get this?" Kingston asks me, holding himself back from stepping closer and looking at the bike in detail like he wants to.

"It's yours, Kingston. We know you've been lookin' at these bikes for as long as I can remember. That all stopped when you got in your accident. I know you want to ride again, but you're scared. And it's okay to be scared. You're still gettin' stronger and back where you were before it happened. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Killer and I pushed you to get back on your bike and ride with us. Now, you might not ride alone yet, but you're out there every single day ridin' and gettin' more confident every time you start that engine. So, we're gonna help you get over this aspect of ridin' too," I tell him, stepping up and placing my hand on his shoulder because I know this shit is killing him knowing that he's settling and not pushing himself as he has his entire life.

"Kingston, we love you," Kim starts, tears in her eyes as she looks at our son. "We want you to break through the block holding you back and I agree with your dad and Killer buying this bike for you. It's what you need and we know you were never gonna take that step yourself. Every day you'd make another excuse until you had nothing left. You love riding sport bikes and have since you were a little boy. Don't give that up because of the accident. It's already taken so much from you and I don't want to see it continue taking things when you can control this part."

"I'm not ready to ride a sport bike again," Kingston finally says, his voice barely audible as Killer steps up to him.

"You are, Kingston. If I didn't know you were ready, I never would've gone through with this. Your parents and I all know you're ready to get on this bike and ride. Your dad even talked to someone he knows and got himself a sport bike on loan so he could go out ridin' with you. Take this ride with him. You got your gear in the clubhouse and your dad has borrowed some for the day. Go out and ride with him like you want to," Killer states, not moving from in front of my son as Kingston looks over his uncle's shoulder at the bike once again. "I'll even take my bike with you and ride so if you're truly not comfortable you can ride my bike back to the clubhouse and I'll bring this one back."

"You don't let anyone ride your bikes, Uncle Killer," Kingston says, looking at his uncle in shock because he's not wrong.

Unless it's a life or death situation, no one is ever allowed to ride Killer's bike. Any of them. He doesn't loan them out, let anyone run a finger down them, or anything else. When the Prospects wash all the bikes, they know not to bother washing Killer's because he'll gut them where they stand for touching his ride. For him to let Kingston ride one of his bikes if he's truly not comfortable on the sport bike, that says a lot about how much my brother-in-law wants this to happen for his nephew.

"I know I don't, Kingston. I'm tellin' you in front of your parents that if you aren't comfortable on this bike and want to come back, I will pull over, get off my bike and let you ride it back here. No stipulations, strings, or anythin' else. All you have to do is get your ass inside, put your gear on, and get on this bike. Come on, Kingston. We'll both be right next to you and nothin' will happen while we're out. I can say that because I'm goin' to make sure it doesn't," Killer states as if he can guarantee that no one is going to be an asshole on the road just because it's something he's determined to make happen for his nephew. "You want Carson to come with us, I'll get his ass out here too. The four of us can go for a ride together and you can test out this beautiful machine the way it's meant to be tested."

"I think I want Carson to come," Kingston says, his voice full of hesitation as his eyes lock on the bike and he finally takes a step closer to it.

I step up next to Kim and wrap my arm around her shoulders as Killer stands next to me. We all watch as Kingston steps up to his new bike and reaches out to run his hand down the side of it. He takes in every single detail while walking around it before Killer tosses him over the keys. Kingston hesitates just a second before he puts the key in the ignition and starts the engine. This bike doesn't rumble like his daily bike, but it sounds fucking nice. Personally, I don't think the sound of any bike will ever beat our daily rides, but that's just me. Kingston loves these bikes and everything about them. He looks up at us and we see the smile on his face. Yeah, I made sure to get the exact color and everything he's been researching and looking up since he discovered this particular bike.

Kingston isn't fucking stupid. He does so much research into everything and makes his decision based on what he finds and what he's looking for. If this wasn't the best bike for him, Kingston never would've looked at them for longer than a second or two. My son has done so much research, I saw a garbage bag full of papers, notes, pictures, and everything else because he wants to make an informed decision about something this important. He was the same way when he bought his last sport bike that he used to race. I can't even tell you what kind or anything it was. Kingston was excited about it and made sure he bought the best bike that would give him the speed and everything else he needed for racing. When Kingston makes up his mind about something, he goes all in and doesn't hold anything back.

We don't move until he shuts the engine off and removes the key from the ignition.

"Thank you, guys. I'm not sure how often I'll ride this after today, but I truly appreciate the push you're givin' me. I just can't get past the second my life changed so much and you almost lost me. I'm still livin' with this every day and you can easily tell that today. My limp is horrible today and I've been on my feet too long as you said, Dad. I will go for one ride today and see how I feel. I know I can beat this, I just need the push like you both thought. Mom, I know you understand that if I didn't need the push, you wouldn't have let them do this. You're as much a part of this as they are. I love you all and will figure this out, I promise you," Kingston tells us as my wife starts crying a little bit because this is the first time Kingston has talked about his accident and everything going on today without venom lacing his voice. He's calm and rational.

It's taken us so long to get to this point and I couldn't be prouder of my son than I am right now. Killer walks up to him and pulls him in for a hug. When they separate, we all walk inside the clubhouse where Kingston goes in search of Carson before getting his riding gear on so we can head out. I'm not sure if Carson has even been out riding with Kingston in the last few days. For my son to want his best friend here with him for this ride, it means something because this isn't on his daily rider. This is going to be a special ride and we're all gonna be here for him.

"What's goin' on?" Slim asks, walking up to us with Playboy at his side.

"We got Kingston that bike he's been researchin' for a long time. You know the sport bike that was his dream bike. Killer and I got it for him and he's actually gonna go out on a ride with us. Killer and Carson are comin' with us. Killer will let him ride his bike back if Kingston isn't comfortable on the sport bike," I answer Slim as Kim takes a seat on the couch with the rest of the ol' ladies.

"Are you fuckin' serious? He's gonna get back on a sport bike?" Playboy questions, his voice full of awe and shock.

"Yeah. He's ready. Kingston doesn't believe he's ready, but we know he is. Kim was on board with us doin' this and Gwen even agrees with our decision. If we left this up to Kingston, he never would buy his dream bike and would remain barely ridin' his daily ride. We're not gonna let this accident continue to take from him when he deserves to be happy and I've never seen him happier than when he's out ridin'," Killer states, his voice low so no one else overhears our conversation.

"Good. We all know he's ready for this shit. He just needs to know it himself. You pushin' him is just what he needs and I'm happy as fuck you've decided to get him back to doin' what he loves," Slim says as Playboy and him smile.

It doesn't take long for Carson and Kingston to enter the common room once again. Kingston is in his full riding gear and it makes everyone pause and stare at him. Everyone here knows Kingston hasn't been on a sport bike since his accident. The only time he gets in full riding gear is when he does ride one. I watch on as every single boy he grew up with stands from their seat, grabs their stuff and follows him from the clubhouse. Killer and I follow the boys out along with everyone else in the club. By the time we're outside, the boys are all surrounding Kingston's new bike and he's telling them all about it. Right now, my son is in his element and it's easy to see from the large smile on his face.

"He's gonna be just fuckin' fine," Killer says, a smile on his face as he watches his nephew get on the bike and take a deep breath.

I get on my friend's bike and wait for Kingston to start his engine as everyone else climbs on their bikes. This is turning into a group ride and it's all in support of Kingston getting back on something he loves. They're showing him the only way they can that they believe in him and want to see him succeed in everything. Even if it's something that scares the shit out of him. Kingston puts his helmet on and makes his way over to me after starting his bike. I wait for him to pull out and follow his lead as everyone gets behind us. Killer and Slim are directly behind us with everyone else behind them. I don't push my son to go faster than he's ready for as we make our way through town on the almost empty roads. It's the middle of the week so most everyone is at work right now. Honestly, this is the perfect time for us to take this ride because the roads are empty.

As we head out of town, Kingston looks over at me for a split second and that's the only warning I get. I watch with pride as my son twists the throttle and takes off from our group. Everyone revs their engine in excitement as we hang back and let him do his thing. Kingston rides as if no time has passed. We give him a few minutes before we go faster knowing we're not going to catch up to him, but wanting to keep him in sight just in case he gets nervous or pulls over for some reason.

Our ride takes us in a loop around Benton Falls. Kingston leads us the entire way as we watch him ride the way he used to. Killer pulls up next to me and the smiles on our faces shine brighter than the fucking sun. Especially when I watch my son pull a wheelie and ride it down the road. He lowers his bike back down on both wheels before we make our way back into town and toward the clubhouse. I pull up next to him when he slows down and can't stop my eyes from filling with moisture from the look on his face. For the first time in months my son is completely at peace and the weight of the accident and his recovery isn't holding him back. We pull into the compound and find all the women and girls standing outside waiting for us. Kim is front and center as Kingston rides up to his mom and parks his bike.

The second my son is off his bike, he's in his mom's arms and they're having a moment to themselves among the rest of our family. I give them some time as I slowly make my way over with Killer and Gwen walks over from the other side. Kingston pulls back from his mom and smiles down at her.

"Was it a good ride?" she asks him, wanting to know what happened with her son.

"It was the best fuckin' ride, Mom. For the first time since the accident I was free and I remembered exactly why I started racin' and ridin' sport bikes to begin with. I'm not sayin' I'm ever gonna race again, because I can't do that. There's just too much there and I don't want to take the risk like that again. But, I will ride the bike and make sure it doesn't just sit there and collect dust the way my other bike did for so long," Kingston tells her as he lets me pull him into my arms.

"We're proud of you, Son. I knew you could do it and just needed that push before you completely stopped doin' what you love. No one else would push you the way we do. You were fuckin' amazin' out there," I tell him honestly as he pulls back and lets Killer and Gwen hold him close as the girls walk up to us.

"King, did you do it? You rode it like you stole it?" Hope asks him, excitement filling her face as she looks at her cousin while Killer whispers to him once again.

"Hope, where did you hear that shit?" Kingston asks her as we all start laughing.

"Somewhere. More than likely you when you've been talking about being on your bike," she answers, joining in on the laughter as Kingston pulls her in for a hug followed by his sisters and Faith.

Carson rushes up to my boy and we watch them go over the bike while talking a mile a minute. I can't understand a single word of their conversation as they point out various things and talk about getting back out on the road again. Carson will always ride with Kingston just like my son will always ride with Carson. They're best friends for a reason and if anyone is gonna be in Pine View to support my son, it will be him. He'll push him when he needs to and let Kingston work his shit out on his own if that's what he needs to do. That's how they've always been with one another and I have a feeling that's going to be the case more often than not once we leave them with Vault and Valor.

"Kingston, you've overcome so much and look at you now. You're back riding the bike you truly love and I know you'll overcome everything put in your way," Gwen says as Kingston finally walks back over to us and wraps his arm around his mom's shoulders.

"Thank you, Auntie. I love you all and I'm glad you made me do this. Now, I think we should all go inside and celebrate. I know Shy and the rest of our moms have been cookin' and bakin' since yesterday. I'm sure we can find somethin' to eat," Kingston says, releasing his mom and rushing into the clubhouse with all the kids following behind him.

"Kingston! You better not get into a damn thing!" Shy calls out as we all laugh.

This is our family. We're serious when we need to be and always there to support one another. If the Phantom Bastards weren't this way, I wouldn't still be here. I longed for a place I could be myself and raise a family of my own. The men and women of this club have given that to me and always go above what's expected of them. Today is the perfect example of that. None of them had to join the three of us on that ride and yet they all showed up for my boy. They held back and gave him the space he needed and celebrate with him now. Wrapping my arm around Kim, I lean down to press a kiss against her lips before we make our way inside the clubhouse to find Shy chasing Kingston around with the pie and cake in his hands. Yep, this is our family and I wouldn't trade a single one of them for anything in the world.