“I’m leaving in fifteen. Clean yourself up.” Jason walks away and the screen door slams behind him.
“Christ.” I rest my head on my knees as everything plays on fast-forward. Last night. Dolly, the breakup, the fucking blow job.
“Fuck me.” I fall back onto the ground not even caring that my head’s pounding dirt and gravel.
I got caught.
It’s not my fault.
Technically we’re not together.
I was on drugs. High, on fuck knows what. “Christ,” I groan as I heave myself up. I’m full of shit. This is so bad. How am I going to get her back?
“Goddamn it.” I don’t need this; it was bad enough trying to deal with all of her insecurities and friend garbage. Now add this. An almost hysterical howl explodes out of me as I tilt my head up letting the sun beat down on me. My mind keeps replaying Dolly’s face. Her hands and legs, which became deadly weapons. She went insane. Like an evil little Smurf, she took Crystal out.
“Shit, how am I going to get her to forgive me?”
I force my legs to move. The smell of coffee and bacon hits my senses before I open the screen door of the Clubhouse. I need a plan, a smart plan to get her back.
A bunch of old-timers are in the corner and as I enter, they grunt and smirk into their coffee or bottles of booze.
“Jesus H. Christ, he lives,” Axel snickers as he walks over carrying a mug of coffee. If my head wasn’t throbbing, I’d punch him.
“What the fuck did I smoke last night?” I snarl at him. Suddenly I want to blame all this on Axel and that crazy shit I smoked.
He must sense this is where I’m going because he snorts and says, “Don’t even try to put your crap on me. I didn’t put your dick in Crystal’s mouth. And it was hash, you fucking pussy.” He sips his coffee looking calm and refreshed while I’m about to lose my shit.
“Here.” He tosses his key at me. “You can use my room to shower.”
I run my hand through my hair. “What do I do? Like I need your help.” And for a split second, I actually see Axel, like the real Axel.
“Christ, Edge, you got to be smart, man.” He looks around as if something or someone can help him, then sighs. “Look, if I were you I’d tell the truth. You said you were broken up. Go with that angle.” He takes another sip of coffee.
I nod, my mind already trying to find the right words. “Yeah, I’ll say that she’s the one who said she’s going to Homecoming with Troy, she’s the one who never has time, she—”
“Jesus, Edge.” He stares at me like I’m insane. “You broke up with her ass. Tell her that and shut up.”
I rub my hands through my hair again. I do need a shower. My hands are covered in dirt. “Yeah? You think that will work? I mean this is Dolly. She’s everything to me—”
Axel leans in close. “You need to grow a pair. Never say she means more than the club. Never.”
My eyes bolt to his. He’s dead fucking serious. See, this is why he is the best prospect. He’s gonna get patched in early. One day though, one day he’ll understand. At least, I have to think that. Otherwise I will start thinking I’m not worthy of the club.
“Edge, get your ass over here.” Prez’s voice makes my head ache. Reluctantly I turn to face him.
He stands with the morning sunlight behind him making him look bigger and more intimidating than ever.
Shark and Chuckie stand behind him with their arms crossed and for a split second, I wonder if they’re going to take me out like Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.
“This shit stops today. Get cleaned up and go to school. We got enough crap,” he bellows as they all trail after him into the conference room and the door slams shut.
And that’s it. I almost throw my head back and laugh. I’m in no condition for school.
Whatever. I need Dolly.
If the shit stops today, then I need to handle it. One-track-mind Dolly—that’s all I can deal with at the moment.
I take the stairs two at a time and open the door to Axel’s room. It’s surprising how clean it is.
Ripping off my dusty clothes, I start the shower, exactly what I need to clear my head so I don’t fuck this up worse.
I’m in and out in under five minutes, not even bothering to turn on the hot water. The cold shower might reduce the swelling on my face. Christ, I still feel the gravel imprints. I brush my teeth with my fingers and take a swig of Listerine.
Looking around, I realize I need clean shit. Axel won’t mind if I borrow a clean shirt. Opening drawers, I roll my eyes and mumble, “And they give me crap.” Axel’s drawers are like shopping in a Gap store. Perfect.