Downstate’s clubhouse consists of an old hotel situated on a couple acres of property, so they’re not lacking for space. They just never put any effort into making it anything more than a party and fuck pad.
I keep all of those thoughts to myself. No need to remind Z of everything he’s lost and make him feel worse.
“There’s a garage at the clubhouse. Why not expand that?” I suggest. “Lot of the guys would probably appreciate it.”
“I don’t know,” Z says, looking around. “That place doesn’t have the same ‘feel’ as this one. It’s more like a hangout than a home.”
“It’s up to you to make it a home,” Wrath says. “The way we did here.”
“True.” Z sweeps his gaze over the garage and shrugs. “Guys did get a good start on fixing it up.”
“Yeah, I didn’t feel the need to bathe in Lysol last time we were there,” Wrath says.
Z shoves him sideways. “You’re one of the filthiest fuckers I know.”
“That tells you how disgusting the place was.”
“What are you talking about?” I point at Wrath. “He’s the cleanest biker I know. Practically has Jake and me scrubbing the break room with a toothbrush every night.”
Z squints at me. “Aren’t you a full partner, now?”
“Don’t give him any ideas.” Wrath wraps his arm around my neck and pats my cheek a few times.
“I get enough of this abuse at work.” I shake free, and Wrath laughs.
Behind us, the front door opens, and slams shut. Boots crunch over the gravel. I turn and find Rock and Teller in the open garage door.
“Think over your nomination?” Rock asks.
“Give me a day.” I lift my hand in a slow-your-roll gesture.
“Fair enough.” Rock steps into the garage with Teller right behind him. “Have you seen Hope?”
“I think she and the girls might be in the Champagne room.”
A positively filthy smile lights up Rock’s face. Guess the girls aren’t the only ones who benefit from morning yoga around here. We watch him go, shaking our heads.
“They’re such an inspiration.” I slap Teller’s chest.
Instead of the dirty chuckle I expected, he gives me a puzzled stare. “What?”
“That sex after babies still happens.”
He pulls an about-to-puke face. “I don’t want to think about that. Ever.”
Not like we haven’t made those jokes before.
“The way they go at each other,” Z thrusts his hips in the air a few times in case we can’t comprehend his words, “I’m shocked they don’t already have another kid on the way.”
Wrath groans. “For fuck’s sake.”
“I figured if anyone would be trying to have another kid, it’d be you.” Teller gestures at Z.
Ah, the famous Teller tact. Nothing like reminding Z he missed out on the first couple years of his son’s life. Rock’s right; Teller as VP would be a disaster.
Z’s either in a forgiving mood or just didn’t take the comment wrong. “Believe me, I’m working on it every chance I get.” He adds a few more hip thrusts for emphasis.
“Christ, maybe I should’ve moved downstate away from all this baby bullshit,” Wrath mutters.
“Calm down, beast-man. Three kids in the last couple years,” Teller points out. “Hardly an invasion.”
Z nods at me. “Yeah, but, we all know he’s planning his onslaught of baby gingers.”
I snort but don’t bother denying it.
“And you.” Z turns his devilish eyes on Teller again. “We all know your little caveman heart can’t wait to knock up Charlotte.”
“What’s this ‘we’ shit?” Wrath slaps his chest. “I don’t waste any of my time worrying about who’s breeding.”
I expected Z’s crude mention of Charlotte to rile Teller up, but his face is completely blank.
While Z and Wrath continue harassing each other, I walk over to Teller and tap his shoulder.
“Wanna go for a ride? I have some errands to run.”
He glances over at Z and Wrath. “Yeah, let’s get out of here.”
While I said ride, we end up taking my truck because I have a bunch of shit I need to collect for Furious.
“Figure out what you’re getting Heidi for graduation?” Teller asks. “If she graduates on time this time.”
Can’t say I’m crazy about the tone he uses. Heidi’s been stressed enough about her situation. “Watch it, dickface. She’s already upset about taking so long to finish. You make one snide remark like that around her, I’ll fucking throat-punch you.”
He holds up his hands. “Whoa, I wasn’t trying to be snide.”
“It comes naturally to you. I know.”
“Jesus Christ. Sorry.” He pounds his fist into his open palm. “Still think we should’ve paid the school a visit.”
I snort because I’d offered that option to Heidi as a joke. “Trust me, she doesn’t want either of us anywhere near her school business.”
“Yeah, I got that impression when you had that chat with that little dickless wonder who kept asking her out.”
“What are you planning to get her?” I ask.
“Her diploma wasn’t enough?”
“Do you save up the extra-special dickishness for me?”
“Yeah.”
“Asshole.” I shake my head. “I’m planning to buy Heidi a Charger with the Hellcat engine for graduation.”
“What the fuck for? Shouldn’t you be buying her a minivan or a bigger SUV?” He waves his hand in front of him. “For your onslaught of baby gingers.”
I suspected that would be his reaction. Maybe that’s why I didn’t mention it before I put down the deposit. “She should have something fun now. We have our whole lives to buy her some boring mom-mobile.”
“Where’s she supposed to stick a car seat?” he asks
in a dry tone that makes me want to reach over and throttle him.
“It’s a four-door.”
“See, why they gotta ruin a beautiful American muscle car like that? The Charger wasn’t meant to have four doors.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s a little bit badass and a little bit practical. Kind of like Heidi.”
“Is that what she wants?”
“Don’t know. Every time I try to ask her, she says her car is fine. and she doesn’t need anything else.” I glance over at him. “I think she’s worried the house has drained our bank account dry.”
“Your flashy Road Glide probably didn’t help.” His jaw tightens. “The investment money is a blessing and a curse, isn’t it?”
“You tell Charlotte where it came from? Or the amount?”
“Other than it’s all legit and she doesn’t need to worry about anything, no.”
Doesn’t surprise me. Charlotte grew up in the life, and, lawyer or not, she wouldn’t ask too many club-related questions.
“Heidi knows not to ask about club-business.” He shrugs. “Just reassure her everything’s fine.”
“I do. She’s really focused on always making sure Alexa has everything she needs. Thinks since she’s a mom, she doesn’t deserve anything special or something. I want Heidi to have something fun that’s for her, you know?”
“Christ, you’re so fucking thoughtful. I can’t even make fun of you.”
“Thanks, I think.”
He chuckles. “Hellcat, huh? That’s a beast after the four-cylinder she’s been pushing the last couple years. You better teach her how to drive it.”
“Remy’s friend has a racetrack. I’ll take her there to let her get comfortable.”
“You’ve already put a lot of thought into this.”
“What’d you think, I was asking your permission to buy my wife a car?”
“Not your wife yet,” he mutters.
Don’t remind me. “You’re a dick. Rock’s right, I am the better choice for VP.”
He reaches over and slaps my shoulder. “Now you’re getting it, little brother.”
I shrug him off and elbow him in the ribs. “Did Rock tell you that Whisper wants to have a sit-down?”