“I get it. Sorry, man. Sometimes my mouth runs away before my brain catches up,” Jordan says with a sheepish look and a nod.
“Sometimes?” Meekail quirks an eyebrow, and we all chuckle.
Jordan shrugs. “Yeah, okay, most days. Won’t let shit like that happen again.”
“Just trying to keep you alive, man,” I say as I pull him off his ass.
He grunts but nods, then grimaces when I smack the spot I hit. He glares, and I chuckle as I move on to grab the weights I need and bring them back to the bench. They watch as I set up the weights and bar, only helping when I add the weights to one side as they get the other side.
“Hey, man, you got to know we appreciate the shit out of what you and the Hounds did around here for us,” Meekail tells me as they watch me start my hip thrusters. They can be a bitch to do, but it’s all part of leg and core day.
I set down the bar and go about adding more weights for my next set. “Ain’t a thing. We saw a good opportunity for an investment.”
Jordan snorts out a laugh. “You saw a struggling gym in need of help.”
I can hear the bitterness in his voice and know it ain’t aimed at us. I get that shit in this town ain’t the best. Past issues affect current ones. Grudges and bullies don’t just go away with time. Never thought I would get caught up in all this kid drama, but that’s what it feels like. Seems a few people in this place just love to live in the past, despite the others trying to move past it. Like the misfits, like Bailey.
“Nah, ain’t like that. We saw this place was awesome. You guys have all the equipment we need to keep in shape. You’ve got good prices, a level head for the books, and a good system in place with those you hire. Honestly, you guys did us a favor. You might see it as if we bailed you out, but all we did was show the boys the gym. They’re the ones who came in willing to sign up for membership. I only put up a bit for collateral to help you redo the bathrooms and add in that spa element you wanted. This place is yours. I’m a silent partner for a reason. Club might know, but they also know to keep their mouths shut. This is between you and me, and since I’m part of the club, you get club protection and the benefits that come with it. And the boys get a place to come to without us buying new equipment. Win-win in my book.”
They both nod, and Meekail squeezes his lover’s arm in support as he walks back to the front desk. They already know this. We have this conversation about once a week. I get it. It’s still fresh, and I’m sure they’re feeling like they failed, but they didn’t. They created a fucking awesome business that’s thriving. And honestly, they didn’t even need my money.
They’re in the green month after month. They were only willing to take it because they wanted to build sooner than wait since a new gym opened up on the other side of town, offering lower prices. Competition is great, but apparently some bitch the misfits dealt with in high school was bankrolling it and trying to take business away from the “gays.” They literally made signs for that shit. This isn’t the 1950s, so I’m not sure why they think they can get away with that. Me and the boys had a ton of fun taking those signs down around town. Might have caused a bit more chaos than needed, but we Hounds needed to let off some steam. With all the shit we’ve got going on, we take the fun when we can get it.
I only knew about the shit they had going on because I’m a nosy ass for all things Bailey, and I also happen to still be on babysitting duty for Kitten. I was there when they approached her, asking if Flint would set up a meeting to talk about what construction would cost with his company. I doubt they expected me to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I invest in shit all the time, something I doubt half my brothers know. It’s a fun pet project, watching a business grow beyond what it is to its full potential. Sure, I’ve made some poor investments, and others only came in at an even trade. But sometimes, it’s like a fucking high when shit is successful. And I know this place is, and will be even more so, after the addition. A gym/spa combo is something new in this area—I did my homework, and there isn’t a spot like this except on the coasts. We have an opportunity to tap into a gold mine of a business.
And… I might have realized that while Bailey has proven she doesn’t need someone to help her out, that doesn’t mean I can’t help her friends to make her happy. Bailey is amazing. The more I find out about her, the more I dig in, the more I learn and love.
I decided to open that file on her the other night. I know it’ll piss her off once she finds out, but I need to know what I’m up against. If I’m going to make her my girl, I need to figure out how to win her. I’ve said it before, I ain’t opposed to stacking my deck. The girl has zero money problems, and there isn’t a legal issue to her name. Her job isn’t something I’m ever going to touch, because it’s obvious she works hard at it and loves it if she’s willing to go through the training to do a mud run just to get her students to do their homework. And while Bailey is good in all areas, she isn’t happy unless her friends are.
And that’s where I come in. Kitten isn’t something I can help with. She ain’t my property, and her man is making her more than happy. That leaves the rest of the misfit crew Bailey finds to be more family than friends. And if helping them out also gets me a cash cow in the end… I’m all for it.
My phone buzzing in my pocket pulls me out of my routine. The club knows where I am, so if they’re calling, it can’t be good. But I’m surprised when I see the caller ID is the hospital my dad goes to for his regular checkups.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Stalone? Am I speaking to Reese Stalone?” a woman asks.
The hair on the back of my neck rises. “Yeah, this is Reese.” A grunt has me looking up to see Jordan not hiding that he’s listening. I don’t care if he knows my name right now. Something in the woman’s voice lets me know I’m not going to like what she has to say.
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your dad had a serious car accident. We just admitted him, and he’s undergoing surgery now. As his next of kin, I’m required to notify you per his wishes, as he did code on the way over here, but they got him breathing again.”
My ears are ringing, and I feel the building close in on me. I need to get out of here. I need to get to my dad. “I’m on my way.” I don’t let her finish what she’s saying. I can’t think about any of that now. He’s breathing—that’s all that matters.
“You okay?” Jordan asks as he moves closer to me.
“No.” I take a breath, rub my hand over my face to get my shit in gear as I formulate a plan of what needs to be done. “Going to be out of town for a bit. Watch her, will you?” I don’t have to tell him who. He already knows.
“Always. Let us know if you need anything.”
I nod at him as I move past him and toward the exit. I only spare Bailey one glance, and I see she already has eyes on me with a frown on her face. Not sure what put that on her, and for half a second, I hope it’s at the thought of me leaving my workout early when we both know I’m usually here long after she leaves.
I shake off my desire to go claim her lips. My dad needs me right now. My claim on her can wait.
I’m on autopilot as I get in my truck and head to the compound. Been staying there almost since the moment I set foot on the property and asked to prospect.
It isn’t until I’m stepping into the main clubhouse that the noise filters back in. I feel like I’ve had tunnel hearing since the call, only ambient noise surrounding me. Nothing much other than Jordan’s words had gotten in till now, when my president calls my name.
“Gator.”
