Monday

"CAMERON!"

"Geez Louise," I groaned, wondering if megaphone was my sissy's default setting for saying my name. For as far back as I could remember, my sissy had never said my name quietly.

Instead, she preferred yelling it.

I don't know why she was screaming at me this early in the dang morning.

I ain't done nothing yet.

I just woke up.

Rolling over in my bed, I smiled when I looked out the windows to see the sun shining. It was going to be another beautiful day in the Shenandoah Valley.

I loved calling this place my home.

It was way better than Juniper Hollow. That was where Sissy and I used to live before some squirrel nut-bag blew my house to smithereens. Now I lived in the Shenandoah Valley with the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club.

The best freaking motorcycle club in the world.

I challenge anyone to say anything bad about my brothers.

Not that anyone would, ‘cause my boys rock!

You see, I'm the youngest brother in training. Well, I am only seven, but I ain't worried. My time was coming. I was learning fast, and soon I would take my place with my brothers and then it would be my turn to stir the pot.

‘Cause, let's face it, no one could stir the pot better than me.

And let's not forget that the other brothers needed me.

Goofballs couldn't do anything without my help.

Pyro almost blew it with my sissy. Scribe would never have sealed the deal with my beautiful princess if I hadn't intervened. Poor Frank fumbled his way to Lidi, and I swear I was five nanoseconds away from turning Enigma over to King, and don't even get me started on Priest.

Phew … that one ‘bout wore me out!

But I wasn't worried.

They all got their Bettys, and everything turned out as it was supposed to.

All because of me.

Now it was time they paid me back.

This was the last week of summer vacation, and I had everything planned. I had a short window to get everything done, and I wouldn't let any of them stop me.

Especially not Banks or Hawk.

Stupid knuckle draggers were under the misapprehension I needed a damn babysitter. I bet it was Sissy or one of the other Bettys that sicked them on me. Stupid buttinskis were up my ass the second I showed at the clubhouse asking too many damn questions.

I had plans and it didn't involve those two.

Nothing was going to stop me. Now that Benny was around to help me, I could finally set my plan into action.

Rolling onto my back, I still couldn't believe all the drama lately in the club, but nobody wanted to listen to me. I tried to tell everyone there were too many Bettys in the club. They were coming out of the damn woodwork faster than I could swat them away.

But the brothers didn't see the problem.

I did.

I saw everything.

You see, though King hadn't confirmed anything yet, I'm the youngest brother in the club, or I will be when I turn eighteen and take my place with the others.

Man, I couldn't wait until that day came.

Sissy thinks she's gonna ship me off to college or the military.

Ha! Got news for her. I ain't going anywhere.

I found my people, and I was right where I belonged.

The brothers were always messing up and getting into trouble. I swear none of them had a brain between them. Well, except for my big buddy Frank, but he didn't count, ‘cause he's smart like me.

Nope, it's gonna be up to me to save them all.

Even the Bettys.

Throwing back the covers, I slipped out of my bed just as my sissy barged into my room.

She did that a lot, too.

Barged into my room, I mean.

What did a man have to do to get some damn privacy around this joint? Bad enough, Pyro built a house made of glass.

Anyone could sneak a peek at my manly goods!

"Cameron? Didn't you hear me calling for you?"

"The Space Station heard you, Sissy. What do you want now?"

"Boy, where is your dog?"

"In his bed," I groaned, pointing to the small doggie bed Scribe got me. Scribe gave me the best birthday gift ever. He got me Bagel the Beagle. My dog was smart like me and that was good, because he was in training to be the meanest guard dog around.

"He ate my shoes!"

Facing my sister, I huffed, throwing on a pair of shorts. "How could Bagel do that when he's been in my room all night?"

"I don't know, but there is slobber all over them. Look," my sister said, shoving her mangled shoes in my face.

Grimacing, I waved my hand in front of my face. "Geez, Sissy, that shit's gross."

"I know!"

"That ain't my problem. Bagel and I took our bath last night. We're clean."

My sissy growled.

"Boy, you better keep your dog out of my closet."

"He's just checking the place out. He's gotta know who to protect in this big ass house."

"Language!"

"Please," I scoffed, throwing a semi-clean shirt on. "Frank said I was off the leash. Ain't gotta watch crap till school starts."

"That's not what he meant!"

Oh yes, it was.

I heard him clearly.

I was a free man until school started again.

I shrugged.

Not my problem.

I was on vacation.

There were no rules on vacation.

"Skylar Rose," Pyro said, popping his head into my room, holding my nephew, Milo.

He was a cute kid.

Looked like me.

Which was good, ‘cause I was a stud!

Pyro was my sissy's old man, or husband, as she preferred. Those two tried every patience I had and tested all my nerves before they finally got their crap together. Thought for sure I was going to have to lock them both in a room for a time out.

Stubborn fools.

Even my sissy knew not to push me too far.

"Gonna be at the clubhouse today. Do you wanna come with me?" Pyro asked, handing Milo over to Sissy, who smiled at the baby.

"No. I have things to do around here, then I need to swing by the site and get the paperwork ready for King. I can meet you at the clubhouse after lunch."

"I'll go with you," I shouted, grabbing my shoes, and I ran past them both and out of my room, whistling loudly for Bagel, who followed hot on my heels.

Pyro laughed. "I'll watch him today. Give you a break for the day."

Quickly shoving my feet into my shoes, I grabbed my backpack that I always left by the front door and threw it over my shoulder.

"Why are you taking your pack with you?" Sissy asked, being nosey as ever.

"It's manly business. You wouldn't understand," I declared, opening the front door, racing for Pyro's truck.

Bagel right behind me.

"How much trouble are you planning on causing this week?" Pyro inquired as he pulled into the compound and parked.

God, I loved this place.

It was awesome.

Brothers, Bikes, and Freedom.

It was heaven.

Ignoring him, I quickly unlocked myself from the stupid booster seat my sissy made me sit in and hopped out of Pyro's truck, and Bagel jumped down, sitting at my feet. Making sure my backpack was secured, I headed toward the clubhouse.

"Come on, Cameron. Give me an idea. Are we talking grounding or bail money?" Pyro shouted after me.

"Ain't decided yet!" I yelled back, pushing the club doors open, and walking in like I owned the place.

"Hey, Cam!" Enigma smiled at me from behind the bar.

Enigma was cool. Because of him, I got two more manly men to help me around the club. I thought for sure the brother was going to mess up his chance with Sugar, but he pulled through for me and kept his promise.

He was okay in my book. Plus, he didn't nark me out to Sheriff Mike about that license plate number I got for him. Had lots of love for Sheriff Mike, but the man saw way too much, which annoyed me to no end.

Good thing for him I liked Mrs. Beth's chocolate chip muffins.

Those things were the B.O.M.B!

Nodding, I looked around the place and huffed. I didn't have time for idle chitchat. I needed to find my second and get the ball rolling. I only had one week left to get this shit done, and no one was going to stop me.

"Where's Benny?"

"In the kitchen with Sean, having breakfast."

Saying nothing more, I headed off to the kitchen when Enigma shouted after me, "Cameron, don't forget Bagel!"

"He ain't gonna bother nuttin'!"

"I don't like dogs!"

"Not my problem," I dismissed before pushing the swinging door to the kitchen open to find my best bud sitting at the table, next to his brother, eating breakfast while their mom glared at them.

King, Scribe, and Gunner all looked on, shaking their heads.

Rut-Ro … This wasn't good.

"Hiya, Ms. Sugar." I smiled sweetly, sliding next to Benny and Sean's mom. I liked Sugar. She was a good mom. Reminded me of my own. Sugar liked to bake, but she was the best at making ice cream. Benny and Sean were lucky. Thanks to their mom, they had a never-ending supply of that shit.

Different flavors too!

"Good morning, Cameron," Sugar greeted me. "Would you like something to eat?"

"No time this morning. Got manly business to tend to."

"I see." The pretty woman grinned at me before turning to Benny. "I mean it, Benjamin Michael James. You are not leaving this table until you finish every bite, and then I want that pigsty you sleep in cleaned before you even think about going outside. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," Benny grumbled, digging into his food.

"So, what's on the docket today, Cameron? World domination? An uprising at city hall? Oh, I know, you and Benny are planning a covert mission to overthrow the Bettys." Gunner chuckled.

Ha!

If he only knew.

However, that last one seemed like fun.

Nope. I wasn't getting sidetracked.

Not this time.

I was a man on a mission.

"Ain't telling you nothing, Gunner," I clapped back as the man laughed.

"All I know is that nothing better catch fire. Understand me?" King glared, daring me to challenge him. Yeah, King was still pissed ‘cause he had to replace a few of the cabins after a few numbnuts thought they could pick a fight with my boys.

But I wasn't worried.

My boys took care of them real good.

"Fine. No fires. But I ain't promising anything else."

"Works for me," the prez smirked, getting to his feet. "I'll be in my office, and unless you are my wife or daughter, you won't need me. ‘Cause if anyone interrupts my nap today, I will have them on the obstacle course for the next millennium."

Yeah, that was the latest news.

Bailey had her baby and much to everyone's relief, it was a smooth delivery. When I asked how it was smooth, Frank simply told me ‘cause everyone avoided bloodshed.

Guess he had a point. Bailey was the only one in the club that trumped my need for revenge.

That Betty was always plotting something sinister.

Henley, Claudia, and Jess were next to drop their loads. Well, that's what I heard Gunner say before Sarah slapped him upside the back of the head.

Henley had already missed her due date. That seemed to be a growing trend around here.

My princess didn't seem to mind though.

Scribe, however, was losing his shit. Every time Henley sighed, moaned, or looked at him funny, he started grabbing bags and barking orders.

He was never getting his man card back.

Like Ever!

Anyway, so like I was saying, I had three Bettys getting ready to drop and no time for games, cause if I didn't get this shit done before those babies got here, I ain't never gonna get it done.

Taking a seat at the table, I leaned across and whispered, "You get everything?"

Ben looked over at his mom before nodding. "Yeah. It's already outside."

"Good."

"Scribe's gonna have our asses if he finds us in here," Benny whispered, glancing around the backyard before we snuck into the greenhouse.

"He ain't gonna say shit. He wouldn't even have this place if it weren't for me. So, technically, I own half of it. Besides, he's glued to Henley's side until she drops that kid."

"Mom told me she could have the baby any day now."

"Uh huh," I muttered, dropping my pack on the wooden table.

The greenhouse was Scribe's baby. Not the one Henley had in her belly, his other baby. The one he and I worked in and plotted in. I'd spent many hours in there with Scribe before I started collecting my own crew. Right now, it was just me and Benny. Sean was still a little dude, plus Enigma didn't trust me to watch him. He'd said Benny and I could get in enough trouble without a third wheel.

So, for right now, it was just me and my best buddy Benny.

I had my eyes on someone else. His name was Kai. He was smart like me, and with his added brain power, that would make my crew the best in the club, but I wasn't sure about the logistics yet.

Mainly I didn't know which knuckle dragger would best suit Kai's mom because, trust me, my options were severely lacking.

Plus, there was one minor hitch… Kai's older brother Nash. Nash was a senior in high school and a jock to boot. One more hit to his head and a glow worm would be smarter than him. But the key problem was Nash had eyes on Fiona and that alone would cause major problems with Frank and George. No way in hell did anyone want Frank, let alone George, going all big brother on a kid.

So, for right now, I kept Kai on the back burner.

Which sucked monkey balls.

Taking a quick peek at the door by the back of the greenhouse, I frowned, remembering the special project Scribe and I started. It had been weeks since I'd been back there.

I wondered if I should check on everything.

You know, to make sure everything was alright.

"Benny, wait here," I ordered cautiously. "I gotta check on something."

"What?"

"Top secret. Can't tell you," I said, heading for the door.

"That's Scribe's private room. He said no one can go in there."

"Just keep an eye out," I grumbled as I walked over to the locked door. Seeing the keypad, I took a quick look over my shoulder to make sure Benny was watching the door before I quickly punched in the six-digit code. Hearing the door unlock, I carefully turned the knob and peeked inside, only to slam the door shut fast.

Leaning against the door, I gasped for air. "Holy shit."

"What?" Benny asked, looking back at me. "What is it?"

Shaking my head, I couldn't form any words.

I was never without words.

I talked non-stop, even in my sleep, according to my sissy, but holy hell. I was gonna have to have a talk with Scribe soon.

Like today.

He needed to do something fast.

That shit was getting out of hand.

If King ever found out what Scribe was doing, he was going to lose his shit. The entire club knew King forbade Scribe from any more pranks, jokes or schemes to get back at Bailey. While my good buddy agreed with King, he didn't exactly promise shit. Plus, we started the greenhouse long before Bailey's latest prank went up shit creek sideways.

It wasn't like we could just stop what we'd started.

After that day, Scribe spent less and less time in the greenhouse, leaving me to take care of everything.

I didn't mind, but even I had my limits.

Making a mental note to speak to Scribe as soon as possible, I walked back over to the table and opened my backpack, retrieving my notebook. Placing it on the table, I flipped it open as Benny came over to take a look.

"Wow. That's awesome, dude!"

"I know." I smiled, staring at my genius idea. "It is awesome, isn't it?"

"CAMERON!"

Slamming my notebook shut, my head whipped to the door. Benny and I dared not move.

Shit!

What the hell did those stupid knuckle draggers want now?

"You think they know we're in here?" Benny whispered.

"No," I murmured in reply. "They ain't that smart."

I was wrong.

"I'm telling ya, Hawk, today is gonna be the day."

"Bullshit. He ain't gonna wake up till Halloween. Trip wouldn't miss that day for nothing."

"Which is why today is going to be the day," Banks groaned while he drove down the mountain.

Rolling my eyes, I huffed, firmly secured in another fucking booster seat, strapped down tightly as I glared at the two idiots. Who knew they each had a brain, let alone a working brain cell?

That was on me.

I should have considered that.

Even a lonely gnat had at least one working brain cell.

Still, it rubbed me raw that those two idiots could easily find me. I was damn good at hiding, yet these boys seemed to know my every move. Almost like they had me lo-jacked or something.

Narrowing my eyes, I wondered if there was more to them than I originally thought. I mean, it wasn't like they were smart like me. In fact, they barely made any sense half the time, and from the way the rest of the brothers treated them, I'd call Hawk and Banks simple-minded.

Slow and plain words worked best for those two.

And to think there was another just like them, in a coma at Rosewood Memorial Hospital. I heard some brothers calling them the Terrible Threesome . If there was a problem, generally Trip, Banks, and Hawk were involved. Apparently, the brothers were famous for all sorts of shit, but no one would tell me what.

Not even my good buddy Frank.

"Think about it, Hawk." Banks smiled when he slowed down, approaching a sharp curve. "It's August. The last week of August. What comes next?"

"School." Hawk grinned evilly as he turned and smiled at me. "The first day of fucking school."

Banks groaned. "After that?"

"Freedom. We're free of Carnage."

"Work with me, Hawk. Forget about the kid. His days are numbered. We gotta get ready ‘cause we only have three months before Halloween."

Groaning, I said, "Two months."

"What?" Banks asked, looking in the rearview mirror at me.

"It's two months before Halloween."

"No, it's not," Banks argued as he started flicking his fingers up as if counting. "August, September, then October. That's three months."

"My God. You do have the I.Q. of a cabbage." I sighed. "Work with me here, Banks. August is almost over. It's two months."

"Uh, Banks." Hawk frowned. "I think the kid is right."

"Of course I am," I clipped. "I'm smarter than the both of you."

"Oh yeah," Banks challenged. "Then how did we know you were in the greenhouse?"

"Lack of options," I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest while I looked out the window.

The fact was, I really didn't know how they'd found me so fast, but I knew I was going to find out, and when I did, I was going to make their lives a living hell.

For the rest of the ride, I tried to drown out the knuckle draggers. I couldn't think properly with them around. They were loud, obnoxious, and neither one made a damn lick of sense.

"Hiya, Mrs. Beth!" I smiled brightly walking into the coffee shop. This was one of my favorite places in Rosewood and not just because Mrs. Beth made the best damn chocolate chip muffins on the planet.

Nope, the coffee shop was the information highway of Rosewood.

Didn't need no stinking social media page, newspaper, or gossip hotline. If I wanted to know what was going on in my town, all I had to do was plop my ass down and just listen.

I knew everything about everyone in this town.

Nothing got past me.

"Good morning, Cameron," Mrs. Beth chirped sweetly at me. "And what brings you into town so early?"

Pointing my thumb behind me at the two knuckle draggers, Mrs. Beth smiled knowingly. "I see."

Leaning over the counter, she whispered, "And what have you got planned for your last week of freedom?"

"It's manly business."

"And does this manly business have anything to do with why Jamison is acting peculiar today?"

"Maybe." I grinned, shrugging my shoulders.

I liked Mrs. Beth. She was the bomb, but she was also a Betty, and that meant she was one of them.

You know, the other sex.

The ones that caused more problems than they were worth.

"Alright, Cameron." Mrs. Beth sighed. "Keep your secret for now. Jamison is waiting for you in the storage room."

"Thanks!" I shouted, hightailing it toward the back.

Jamison Bailey was the cousin to King's woman, Bailey.

Yeah, I know the whole name thing was confusing.

Bailey's real name was Avonleigh Rose Bailey, but the stubborn Betty hated using her real name and preferred Bailey. Unless she was at her shop, where everyone knew her as Venom. Bailey was a kickass tattoo artist. The best in the business. People came from all over to have one of her one-of-a-kind tattoos. When she moved to Rosewood and met King, that was the beginning of the end for the Sons of Hell brothers.

After they hooked up, shit went downhill fast.

With Bailey came Jamison. When Jamison was born, the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck three times, cutting off the oxygen to his head. Now the doctors said Jamie, as he is sometimes called, would suffer from mental deficits that would make it impossible for him to live on his own. Which was kinda of true. But what those fancy pants doctors didn't realize was that Jamie was smart.

Like really smart.

Yeah, he was slow in some areas, but the man knew his shit with certain things. And it was his particular knowledge in a certain area that made him the best person for a job I needed him to do.

"Yo, Jamie!"

The big guy smiled.

He always smiled.

Jamie was a happy dude and a member of my Manly Club.

Couldn't leave Jamie out.

That would be just wrong.

"Hi, Cameron."

Hopping up on one of the crates, I watched while Jamie re-stocked the shelves. He was meticulous about it, too. Everything needed to line up correctly, and all labels faced forward. To make things more interesting, he placed every box in alphabetical order.

Slow, my ass.

Jamie was fucking smart as hell in my book.

"So, have you thought about what I asked?"

He nodded.

"And?"

Jamie faced me and frowned. "Don't want Bailey mad at me."

"She ain't gonna be mad. You're gonna impress her, dude. I told ya. Hell, I'll even bet you shock the brothers."

"You think Gunner will like it?"

I smirked. "That NOOB won't know what to do with you when he finds out you helped me with this. Trust me, Jamie. Your days of stocking shelves are almost over."

"But I like stocking shelves."

"It's all about options, Jamie. We talked about this. You can do anything you want."

"Okay then." He grinned.

Hopping down, I rubbed my hands together. "Alrighty then. After work today, meet me and Benny at the hideout. Benny got the missing piece we needed."

Leaving Jamison to his work, I headed back out front and groaned as Hawk and Banks leaned against the counter, looking directly at me.

"I don't know about you, Banks, but that right there is the face of deception."

"I think you're right, brother." Banks smirked. "Totally guilty."

Standing my ground, I glared at Hawk. "Spell deception."

Hawk narrowed his eyes.

"You little shit. I know how to spell."

"Prove it," I challenged, as Mrs. Beth snickered behind them.

"C.A.R.N.A.G.E." Hawk smiled.

Rolling my eyes, I headed for the front door, muttering, "You're an idiot," as I passed.

"Takes one to know one!"

There was no way I was going to be able to do what I wanted to do with the knuckle draggers on my ass for the rest of this week.

This babysitting crap was for the birds.

I wasn't a baby anymore.

I was seven years old.

Almost a man!

I had a lot on my plate this week and shit needed to get done.

The Manly Club was counting on me.

Nope. There was no way around it.

I was gonna have to have another talk with King when I got back up to the clubhouse. But for right now, that was going to have to wait because I needed to check in with Priest and make sure he was covered for the day.

He was still healing from that stab wound and broken leg.

Poor bastard was also stuck in a wheelchair for the next several weeks. Of course, he didn't seem to mind. After everything that went down with him and Phoebe, he was just happy to have his wife back.

I had to admit, I was too.

I liked Phoebe. She talked to me like an adult and not a kid.

Plus, she was nice.

Unlike her sister Athena, who scared the bejeezus out of me.

"Just where in the hell do you think you're going?" I heard Banks clearly ask as his heavily booted feet pounded the pavement, trying to catch up to me.

"Ain't waiting around for you, that's for damn sure," I replied, stopping at the corner, looking both ways before crossing the street.

"Damn it, Cameron," Banks groaned. "You can't just take off like that. Remember what happened last time?"

"Yep, and because of you and Hawk, Priest and Phoebe almost died."

"I already apologized for that!"

"Not good enough," I said, smiling as I walked over to Mr. Howard, the owner of the local Hardwood store. Mr. Howard was a cool dude. Knew everything there was to know about every tool on the planet. According to Mr. Howard, every man should have three things in their toolbox: a hammer, a can of WD-40, and duct tape. Anything else was overkill.

"'Bout time you showed up." The older man smiled, puffing up his chest. "It's your turn. Try to get out of that!"

Grinning at the man, I stood in front of the small table next to the chair he was sitting in and looked at the chessboard. We'd been playing this game all summer, and every time I beat Mr. Howard, he demanded a rematch. I didn't mind. Playing chess kept my brain working on all cylinders, plus it gave me a reason to come into town and check things out.

Studying the board, I sighed, picked up my piece and I slid my queen to H5 and smiled. "Checkmate."

"What!" Mr. Howard sputtered, examining the board. "But?"

Slapping the man on his shoulder, I sighed. "You're getting better Mr. Howard. This game lasted eight moves. That's a new record for you."

The older man waved me away as he reached for his copy of ‘How to Play Chess for Dummies.' Knowing the old man would be a while, I continued on down the street when I spotted Mrs. Martha Cohen walking toward me.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself.

I liked Mrs. Cohen. I really did. The woman was smart as hell and knew almost everything going on in town besides me. Plus, ever since she got that stick out of her butt regarding Sugar, she's been downright cordial to everyone.

"Good morning, Mrs. Cohen."

"Good morning, Cameron. Will I be seeing you boys tomorrow?"

"Yes, ma'am. Benny and I are looking forward to it."

"Glad to hear it. Have you given any thought to what we discussed?"

"Uh…" I looked everywhere when I clearly heard her sigh.

"Cameron Hobbs. The school fall talent show is a big deal. It allows you to expand your repertoire and experience new things. And what am I always telling you boys?"

"That there is more to life than the brothers, bikes, and babes."

"That's right." The woman firmly nodded. "And until King patches you in, you need to be well-versed in everything, and that includes music."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now, I will see you and Benjamin tomorrow afternoon, and don't be late. I think I've found two more boys for your quartet."

"Who?"

"Kai McDonald and Jasper Hennessey."

"Jasper!" I gasped, groaning. "He's an Ornithologist!"

"A what?"

"A bird watcher. He watches and studies birds!"

"I think that's a beautiful hobby."

"It's creepy," I muttered.

"Nevertheless, he and Kai will be at my house tomorrow, and I expect you to show him your kindness and understanding. Am I clear, young man?"

"Alright, Mrs. Cohen. I'll be nice to the bird boy, but I ain't promising anything. But I give you my word. I will try."

"That's all I'm asking." She smiled, walking past me.

Groaning, my shoulders slumped while I trudged toward Phoebe's new dance studio.

This was just great.

How in the hell was I going to get out of that pickle?

Bad enough, Mrs. Cohen wanted me and Benny to join some boy band, but to get up and sing in front of the entire school and town? That would never happen. Especially with Jasper Hennessey.

Boy was only interested in birds.

Nothing else.

"What's the matter, Carnage? Don't like birds?" Banks chuckled.

Crap.

I forgot he was following me.

It was just past afternoon by the time we made it back up the mountain, and after checking in with Phoebe and Priest to make sure my buddy was good and needed nothing, I was ready to spend some time on my special project.

All I needed was Benny and to shake the knuckle draggers.

However, when I walked into the clubhouse, I came to a screeching halt when King stood, arms crossed over his chest, as he glared at me. Enigma was behind the bar, smirking, shaking his head, watching the show while Scribe and Frank looked on in rapt attention.

"Uh, hey, Prez. What's up?"

"You tell me." King growled.

"Gonna need more than that. Ain't a mind reader."

"Mrs. Cohen called me," King began. "She wanted to make sure you and Benny would be at her place tomorrow. Something about a special project she's working on with you boys."

Craaaap.

"Considering you've been hush hush all summer about whatever it is you're hiding, I asked Mrs. Cohen what this project was. Would you like to tell everyone what it is?"

"Not particularly."

"Why would you hide this?"

"Not hiding anything. It's just something for school."

"Cameron, it's a big deal."

"No, it ain't, and I'm still not sure I'm gonna do it."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to."

"Not good enough, Cameron. What's the real reason?"

Sighing, I whispered, "It's not manly."

"I see," King muttered. "Follow me."

Groaning, I did as he asked and followed him into his office, where he shut the door behind me as soon as I walked in. Taking a seat on the couch, I waited for him to say whatever he couldn't say with everyone listening. Taking a seat next to me, King sat back and began.

"Cameron, do you know what I look for when I patch in a new brother?"

Shaking my head, I listened carefully.

"First of all, I expect total honesty. Can't stand liars. If I can't trust a brother with the truth, then how can I trust him with anything else?"

Made sense.

"Second, I look for integrity. I want a brother with strong moral principles that will bring value to all those around him. Do you understand?"

"I think so."

"Third is strength. I want brothers that can hold their own, not only in a fight, but with everyday life. Being strong doesn't just mean how hard you can hit. It also means standing up and doing the right thing. Even if it means doing something they feel uncomfortable doing."

"Like me doing the talent show."

King nodded.

"Mrs. Cohen told me you are very good."

"So she says."

"Cameron, I've known Mrs. Cohen a very long time and if she says you're good. Then, son, you're good."

"Everyone's gonna laugh at me," I muttered, looking at the floor. I really didn't have time for this conversation, but when the president of the club wanted to talk, then I guessed I could be man enough and talk.

Still didn't like it.

But I did it.

"It's alright to be scared, Cameron. Even I get scared sometimes."

Yeah, right.

I got King was only trying to make this situation easier, but it wasn't working. He was the president of the club. And men like him didn't get scared.

He sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"

I looked at my prez and nodded.

"The night Priest and Phoebe got hurt. You scared me twice. When you told us about Priest and Phoebe, I felt helpless and inadequate. I'm the president of this club. It's my job to protect my brothers and the Bettys. I failed at that. But when you disappeared and none of us could find you, I felt something else that night. Real fear. For a few brief minutes, I experienced a fear unlike anything I've ever felt before. It was crippling, and I never want to feel that again. I'd never been more scared before in my life."

"You didn't seem scared to me. You yelled at me."

"Everyone reacts to fear differently, Cameron. What I'm trying to say is just because you're scared to do something, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it."

"Like when I stood up to you."

King nodded. "Took a lot of bravery to do what you did. Not a single brother has ever made me stop and listen. That took a lot of strength, bud."

"So, what you're telling me is I shouldn't be scared to sing in the talent show."

King nodded.

"Will you be there?"

King grinned. "Wouldn't miss this for anything in the world, kid."

I found Benny and Jamie waiting for me at our secret location. Well, it wasn't really secret, just more unknown to everyone else.

You see, when I first arrived at the Sons of Hell clubhouse, I spent most of my time scouting the area, getting to know the lay of the land. There wasn't a single place within miles of the clubhouse that I didn't know about.

That's when I found the headquarters for the Manly Club.

It was perfect. Just close enough to the clubhouse in case someone needed me, but far enough away to give me the privacy I required. I spent a lot of time out here in my early days, learning, getting to know my new surroundings. When I knew Pyro had fallen victim to my sissy's beguiling ways, I came up with the Manly Club. A place where brothers could go and just be manly men. I had planned on inviting my good buddy Frank, but he ended up falling victim like all the others.

What was it about the Bettys that could turn grown men into stumbling, bumbling idiots?

It was a mystery I needed to solve, and fast, because I wasn't getting any younger. According to my calculations, I had maybe ten, possibly twenty or more good years before I fell victim to a Betty. The mere thought sent a shiver of dread down my spine.

Entering the Manly Club, I stopped, looked around, and smiled at my domain. Every square inch of this ten-by-ten shack was manly all the time. I could smell the sweat and testosterone dripping down the walls.

It was glorious.

The best thing about the Manly Club… NO BETTYS ALLOWED!

"What took ya so long?" My friend Benny huffed as I dropped my backpack on the small table I'd found behind the garage a few months ago and fixed up. There was nothing wrong with it. Just a broken leg that needed a few screws and BAAM!

It was good as new again.

I noticed that about a lot of the brothers. They were always throwing shit out. Good shit, that just needed a little duct tape or maybe some WD-40.

Good thing Mr. Howard hooked me up with my own toolbox!

"King found out about the talent show." I grimaced as I plopped my ass down in my seat. Unlike the table in church at the clubhouse, our table was round.

Everyone was equal.

Like King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Okay, so we weren't knights, and I was no king. Well, because there was only one king and well… he was King.

"You tell him you hadn't decided yet?"

"I tried, but he made a good point." Leaning forward, I clasped my hands together and looked at Benny. "If we're gonna be brothers one day, then we all need to step up and do things, even when we don't want to."

"Awe, man," Benny groaned, shaking his head.

Looking at Jamie, I asked, "Jamison, did you bring it?"

The big guy smiled and nodded. "Yep!"

Reaching for a long tubular container, he unscrewed the cap and removed a roll of paper, placing it on the table. Rolling it out, Benny and I stood to get a better look.

It was perfect. Jamison was truly gifted. Why he spent his days stocking shelves at Beth's coffee shop, I would never know, because the man was a fucking genius!

He'd left nothing out.

Not one single detail.

Every building, bush, tree, house, and outbuilding was accounted for. Jamison even detailed the topography of the surrounding landscape.

Grinning from ear to ear, I rubbed my hands together and said, "Alright, Manly Men, let's get ready for war."