“No, I’m only just getting started, little brother.” I nod to Hunter, signaling another drink.

“Don’t, Hunter,” Jay says, cutting me off way too early. I can still see my father’s face, hear his words. No way am I done.

“Oh, I see.” I straighten watching his reaction.

“You clearly don’t see anything, Jesse. You’re drunk, hurting, and if you don’t quit now, you’re gonna regret shit tomorrow.” He nods to the blonde bitch still sitting close to me.

“You know, I always knew you’d end up like him. Think you’re better than everyone. But you know what, Jay? You’re not. He was the one who was beneath me. So fuck him and fuck you too.” I stand, this time gaining my balance and stepping into his space. It’s not that I’m angry with Jay. He had the same childhood as I did, but this rage is building inside of me. And every time someone tries to calm me, it only fuels me.

“Jesus, you’re so fucking clueless. You say you never want to be like him, yet look at you now. Drunk. Just like him. You’re pathetic. Our mother shouldn’t have to see you like this. She just buried her husband, goddamn it.” He steps back, just like I knew he would. Pansy-ass fucker.

“Yeah, well fuck her too.” I push a little harder, wanting to rile him up. “When was the last time anyone else in this family pushed back? You’re all so used to keeping the peace you can’t even grow a fucking pair.”

“You’re hurting. I get it, but don’t disrespect our family like this,” His calm manner morphs into anger in a flash, as he steps back up, right into my space. That’s more like it.

“Fuck you, and fuck our family.” I decide in the moment to put my point across with a fist. He sees me coming, but before my fist connects with his face, he lays me out.

Fuck.

“Please, stop. He’s drunk and not thinking straight.” I hear Bell’s voice pleading above me as I try to gain my feet. My head is throbbing but I’m not done.

“Fuck off, Bell, I don’t need you defending me.” I try to stand but lose my balance. The bitch next to me scurries off to the side, but I keep her in my sights. I’m going to fuck her tonight. I need Bell off my mind and to bury myself in some fresh pussy.

“Jesse, you’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re saying.” She tries again, but I’m fucking through looking at her.

“I thought I told you to go home. No one likes a fucking hang on. I fucked you, okay. I don’t need some second-rate bitch trying to get back in. I’m done. Done.” My heart clenches the moment I see her shut down, but I have to stay strong. It’s for the best she knows what a messed-up asshole I am.

“That’s enough.” Jackson’s voice bellows behind Bell, and I know by his tone he’s about to go all ‘big brother’ on my ass.

“Jay, take Bell outside. She doesn’t need to see this shit,” he orders, and like a good little brother, Jay complies.

“What’s the issue, Jackson? She knew the fucking score. She knew going in this was what she was getting.” I slur some more, watching her crimson face hide into Jay’s chest. I push the jealousy down at seeing him touch her and decide to go for the kill.

“You should tap it, Jay. Though, I already took her virginity. Guess that means I’m one up on you on that.” I hear a gasp to the side of me, but I don’t have time to turn before Jackson delivers a full fist punch to the side of my head.

Pain ricochets throughout my skull and then everything goes black.

“I don’t even fuckin’ know what to do with him.” I hear Nix’s voice first, but I can’t react, still letting myself slowly wake up.

“He’s messed up, bad, Nix. It’s going to take some time. You know he isn’t coping well. Especially with what happened with Bell, he’s not himself,” Kadence whispers, piquing my interest.

“What happened to Bell?” I croak out, trying to shift in my awkward position on the club sofa. How the fuck did I get here?

“Don’t fuckin’ speak her name, fucker. Not after the way you treated her last night.” Nix kicks at my feet and I cringe as the night before comes back to me. Fuck. Jay and Jackson. Me disrespecting my family, and Bell. It all comes back to me.

“How did I get here?” I ask, but no one answers me. My head is pounding as I try to open my eyes. Not equipped to deal with this level of pain so early, I keep my eyes shut and continue to listen to my family talk around me.

“He needs to be gone from here for a week or two. I can’t stand lookin’ at his face any longer. And with the shit with the Warriors still on unsteady ground, I can’t trust he has the club’s best interests right now.” Nix continues talking like I’m not here.

“Want me to take him up to the safe house. Give him some space to think, come to terms with everything that’s going on?” Beau offers. Great, a fucking club meet happening. And it’s about me. Fuckers.

“Yeah, the sooner the better.”

“You do know I’m awake. I can hear you all discussing me.” I keep my eyes closed and wait for a reply.

“You better fucking hear us, Jesse. You went too fuckin’ far last night.”

“Spare me the lecture, Nix.” I sit up and take a look at my family. No one holds eye contact, disappointment and concern holding them back.

“No, you’re gonna hear it. You’re a member of this club, and last time I checked, we respect our women.” Brooks puts his opinion in the mix only pissing me off more.

“Well, luckily, she wasn’t my woman.” I rub at my face. My temple throbs at the side, but I don’t acknowledge it. I know I deserved it.

“I think she is the lucky one, brother.” Nix stands. “You don’t deserve her. It’s sad she had to go through all that to realize it. Get up to the safe house, sort your shit out, and come back the man I know you are.” I don’t say anything, just take in his words and let them settle over me.

I don’t give a fuck what he thinks, but he’s right. I don’t deserve her.

Never have.

Never will.

Thirty-Four BELL

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the memories I cannot change, the courage to heal the wounds I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”

“Amen,” the room echoes Conner’s ending prayer.

“Thanks for coming today. I hope you guys got something out of it. If anyone wants to hang back for a chat, I’m here.” Conner turns his attention to me as I stand and wait for everyone to move out.

It’s Saturday morning and I just sat in on one of Conner’s support groups.

“What did you think?” Conner asks after everyone moves out.

“It was full on. I’m in awe of you all. What you went through.” I shake my head, trying to find the right words. Since Jesse introduced me to Conner, I’ve wanted to know more about him. Jesse had been keeping me updated with his recovery from his last surgery and how he was coping with the new prosthetic. But it wasn’t until the funeral last week that we saw each other again and he invited me to sit in on one of his groups.

“What you’re doing is amazing for these men, Conner.”

“Thanks, it helps me more than it helps them.” He shrugs, not taking the praise. Yeah, not so different from Jesse.

“I didn’t think you’d show.” He moves around the room, starting to pick up empty cups left lying around.

“I told you I was interested.” I move forward and help to gather the chairs. “You were right, sitting here hearing these men’s stories of what they went through gives me an insight in to what Jesse is dealing with.” He nods but doesn’t say anything.

“So, has, Jesse ever come to these type of things?” I carefully ask, keeping my voice low.

“He used to. But he stopped last year.”