“What about another bar?” I suggest.
“I’m open, but we need a theme and a function different from the bar and grill,” Stone replies.
I nod my head already tossing around ideas. San Mateo houses many marines, so a cool bar with bar food would be a shoe in for a money maker. “We should open up a motorcycle themed bar,” I say.
“Now that I like, tell me more.”
“I think we could cater to the brothers here, the ones rolling through, and draw in the Marines and other service members in the area.”
“We should run with this,” Numbers says. With a good head for business, the former accountant had his hand in most projects KOC went into.
“You think so, Numbers?” I ask.
“I do, let’s develop this some more. I’ll do some research in the area, make sure it’s as unique a concept as I think it is,” Number says in full beast mode.
I could practically see a calculator appear above his head as he mentally crunches numbers.
We toss concepts back and forth and agree to do some research and meet back up in a few weeks. The meeting is ended, and we all move to help get the hall ready for the party.
I turn to Charm. “Hey, man, can we step out back for a few?” I ask him.
“Yeah, sure,” he says.
The boys give us a wide birth, and I appreciate the bond we all share. When one of us goes through something, we all go through it.
Once we make it outside, Charm lights up a thin joint, hits it hard, and passes it to me.
I inhale deeply and hold the smoke in my chest, releasing i
t slowly. The green takes the edge off. My muscles relax, and I clear my throat. “So its official, Dad’s gone.”
“Yeah. I figured, but—I needed to know for sure,” Charm replies.
“I understand. How are you feeling about it?” I ask.
“Hurt, and divided.”
“Why divided?”
“Because I get why he had to go, but it doesn’t make me feel less… Bitter toward the people who took his life,” he says.
I sigh. “Don’t let him ruin this club for you.”
“I’m not.”
I look at him skeptically.
“I won’t, but it’s hard right now, you know?” he says.
“He did this to himself, Charm. I know that doesn’t change the way you feel. I mean, our father’s life was cut short. All I’m saying is be careful not to place the blame in the wrong place. He made a lot of mistakes.”
“How are you so unaffected?” Charm growls.
“I’m not. I told you. For me, he died a long time ago. He threatened to kill Dixie, you know? When the person you’ve looked up to all your life crushes your dreams and destroys your chances at happiness, the bond you share is all but severed. For me, he was the man who gave me life, put clothes on my back, and fed me once upon a time.”
“That’s cold. I don’t know if I can do it,” Charm says.
“No one’s asking you to, Charm. Just remember the club is your family, and don’t give them a reason to doubt your loyalty.”