16
“What the fuck?” Calder walked into Gavin’s room, seeing him struggling with an orderly.
Peyton was watching the struggle with a pale face, as a nurse held her back from getting involved.
“Get off me! I’m leaving! You can’t make me stay!” Gavin managed to get away from the restraining hold of the burly orderly.
“Don’t touch him!” Calder pulled him back when he tried to grab Gavin again. “What’s going on, Gavin?”
“I tried…” Gavin heaved, panting for air. “I need it, Calder. Jesus, I need it.”
Calder turned toward them. “Get out. Leave us alone.”
They looked like they were going to refuse, but thought better of it at his glare.
“Peyton, take the next two days off. I’ll call if he needs you.”
“All right.” Peyton went to where Gavin was pacing across the room, stopping his momentum. “Gavin… call me if you need me to come back sooner.”
He nodded abruptly but didn’t stop the frantic pacing. As soon as the door was closed behind her, though, Gavin stopped.
“Help me get the fuck out of here. I’ll pay you anything you want.”
“You wouldn’t get out the front door. Viper has men guarding you. Moon is out front, and Lucky is out back.”
The man crumpled to the floor, rocking back and forth. “Okay, okay, you can go and score me a hit. I’ll pay you anything you want.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” he shot the suggestion down. He had to keep his face impassive as his heart tore in two.
When Gavin started crying, he sank down next to him on the floor, placing an arm around his shoulders. “Breathe through it. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Now let it go slowly through your mouth.” He started rocking the broken man through the withdrawal that had sent him over the edge.
“Do it again.” He kept telling him to breathe despite Gavin’s pleas that kept barraging him over and over until Gavin went silent and slumped against his shoulder.
Seeing he was asleep, he managed to turn them so he could rest against the bed.
When the door squeaked open, his eyes met Peyton’s as she quietly came back into the room.
“What set him off?” Calder whispered, not wanting to wake Gavin.
“They decreased his medication to wean him off. Then Taylor called. She wants to see him.”
He wouldn’t want the woman he loved to see him in the shape he was in.
“The nurse called Viper. He’s on his way.”
“Call him back. Tell him to stick to the schedule. Tell him I got it under control.”
“Thank God you showed up early. They wanted to give him a sedative.”
“The last thing he needs is someone coming at him with a needle.”
She straightened the room as Gavin slept.
“You want me to help you get him on the bed?”
“No, he needs the sleep. When he wakes up, I’ll get some food down him.”
“He ate much better this week. The doctor said he gained two pounds.”
“That’s good. Go get some rest. You look like you need it.”
“I will. Thanks, Calder.” She left them alone.
Laying his head back on the side of the mattress, Calder was able to snag a pillow to rest his head on. Bunching it under his head without disturbing Gavin, he closed his eyes.
He didn’t know how long they slept, but he felt it when Gavin started to move. Calder lifted his eyelids to see Gavin using the side of the bed to get off the floor.
“Sorry to wake you, but waking up in your arms wasn’t what I was ever hoping for.”
Calder laughed. “I can’t say I blame you. You wouldn’t be my first choice, either.”
He groaned. Every muscle in his body hurt from the position they had been in.
“One of those orderlies punched me when I was out.” Gavin’s groan echoed his own.
“Not unless they got me, too.” He had to use the same method to rise as Gavin had, moving around with stooped shoulders until they could move freely again.
Calder pushed the call button. “I hope you’re hungry. I’m starved.” He requested two trays from the nurse who answered.
“I’m ready for lunch. I’m surprised they haven’t brought it yet.”
“They could have come in while we were sleeping and didn’t want to interrupt our beauty nap.”
“More like they wanted a break from my shit.” Gavin gave him a shame-faced look. “It hit me hard. I would have shoved it in me if I could have gotten it.”
“You wouldn’t have.”
“You don’t know that shit,” he seethed. “I would have!”
“This rehab center isn’t on Mars. Drugs are floating around here, just like there was in prison. You’re on a battleground wherever you are. You won a battle today. Be proud of yourself.”
“Because you were here.”
“You wouldn’t have given in. You would have just asked for your dosage to go back up.”
“I hate that shit.”
“I know. You’re almost off it. Next week, it will be on you whether you can do without it or not.”
“You going to be here?”
“I’ll be here. Peyton will be here this weekend. They normally lower your doses on Monday, so I’ll be here with bells on. We’ll do something to celebrate.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. You tell me. Anything you’ve been wanting? I’ll see if I can make it happen.”
“I want to see Taylor.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I need to see the woman I fought so hard to stay alive for.”
“That’s why I don’t think you should see her. What if it sets you off the way it did today?”
“You said yourself my recovery is a battleground. It’s another battle I’ll have to get through. Might as well be now instead of later. That way, if you’re here, you can keep me from going for those orderlies’ jugulars.”
“You know the biggest mistake an addict can make? Lying to yourself. Brother, I smell the bullshit from over here.” Calder saw the determination on his face and knew there wasn’t a way to talk him out of it. “I’ll talk to the doctor and see what he has to say.”
“Thanks.”
The nurse came in with two trays. The woman gave them an intent glance before leaving.
“She saw us sleeping.”
Gavin grinned. “I bet she tells everyone in the nurses’ lounge.”
“Could be worse. At least you’re not ugly. Those two pounds look good on you,” Calder wisecracked.
“Fuck you.”
After lunch, they walked around the grounds. Calder was glad Gavin’s stamina was improving. He was walking longer distances without resting as long. They even worked out thirty minutes in the gym before Gavin was ready to go back to his room.
When it grew dark after dinner, they went to sit on his back patio. Calder unrolled his smokes from his shirtsleeve, taking one for himself and giving one to Gavin.
“You ever miss them?”
“The drugs?” Calder flicked his ashes away, staring down at the burning tip.
“Yes.”
“It used to be every minute, then every hour. Now I can almost get through a day.”
“That’s disheartening.”
Calder gave a low laugh. “I told you I wouldn’t lie to you. That’s why so many go back to them. That’s why you count the number of days you’ve been clean.”
“How did you keep yourself from using again once you were out of prison?”
“I figured I had disappointed Stud enough.”
“Viper is used to me disappointing him.”
“Bro, there’s a big difference between me and you. I chose to do drugs; you didn’t have a choice. Viper isn’t disappointed in you. He would trade places with you in a fucking second to keep you from getting hurt again.
“When I was at my lowest point, Stud tried to get
me help. I threatened never to see him again if he interfered in my life. It took me going to prison to see that I was stupid enough to think that I could avoid falling into quicksand. I thought I was too smart, that I was Superman and could move so fast my feet wouldn’t touch the stuff. As my use grew worse, I grew so arrogant I thought I could walk right over it and not get dragged down.” Calder shook his head at his stupidity. “Then, when I was caught, I was too stupid to reach out and let Stud help me. Don’t make that mistake. If I had to do it over, I would do things differently.”
“What if I drag him down with me?”
“You really think you’re going to be dragging Viper down? That man is solid. Not only do you have Viper, but you have all The Last Riders.”
“You’re right. So, what’s going on with you and Crazy Bitch? She still hate you?”
“No, we hooked up the other day.”
“Was it as good as you thought it would be?” Gavin’s envious smile gleamed at him from the light inside.
“Better. We’re spending the weekend together.” He didn’t mention the game the clubs were playing, not wanting him to feel left out.
“I guess I can do without you for the weekend.”
“I’m a phone call away if you need me.”
“I know.” Gavin stood up. “You mind if I go to sleep? It’s been a long day. I’m going to call Peyton and tell her good night.” Despite his words, he made no move to leave. “I don’t know what I would have done without you today.”
“You would’ve fallen asleep on your bed.”
“Do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“You don’t want to know what it is?”
“Don’t need to. What do you want?”
“Bring Crazy Bitch here. I’d like to meet her.”
“Then I’ll bring her.”
“Night.”
“Good night.”
Calder stayed outside, smoking his cigarette and giving Gavin time to fall asleep. He was about to go inside when he saw a dark figure slip out of the room.
“Checking on him?” Calder asked Viper when he took the chair next to him.
“Peyton said he had a bad morning. Since I was on my way, anyway, I hung around to speak to you. The doctors say he’s doing better. What do you think?”
“He’s eating and growing stronger. That’s about all I can tell you.”
“That’s the same thing the doctor said.”
“Sorry.”
“No, you’re not. I want to bring him home.”
“I know you do, but he’s not ready yet.”
“Ton is getting married to Winter’s aunt. He wants Gavin to come.”
“Either they wait or get married without him there. Gavin being there isn’t going to be good for anyone. He has to face one person from his past before he can move on and face the life he has ahead of him.”
“Taylor.”
Calder nodded. “He wants her to come next week.”
“Damn. If she comes down, it won’t go well. She’s seven months pregnant. It might send him over the edge.”
“No might about it,” Calder said grimly. “But at least he’ll be in a controlled environment, versus you and Shade dealing with it.”
“Don’t underestimate Gavin. Any other man would be dead with the concoction of drugs they were giving him. His nickname in the service was Reaper for a reason. The only other person I’ve seen go off like Reaper is Shade when he gets pissed off. When Shade goes off, he can take out six or seven men. Reaper can decimate whoever he comes into contact with.”
Calder gave a low whistle. “I’ll bring my helmet when I come back on Monday.”
Viper narrowed his eyes on him. “You’re not coming this weekend?”
He could kick himself for dropping his guard. “Peyton wanted a couple of days off, so we switched,” he lied.
“Really. Hmm… you and Crazy Bitch having any luck with Greer’s clue?”
“Which one?”
“The one where you have to eat that fucking mess Greer dreamed up.”
“Oh… that one. Not yet.”
“You’re lying. That’s fine. I don’t blame you.” Viper stood. “I need to get home to Winter and Aisha. See you around.”
Calder stood. “Tell Greer he needs to take precautions.”
Viper grinned, unconcerned. “The brothers thinking of getting even?”
“The bitches. Sex Piston is getting pretty graphic on what she wants to do to him.”
Viper gave a vindictive smile. “I’ve had to eat that recipe two nights in a row, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be having it for lunch tomorrow. She can have him.”
17
“You miss me?”
Crazy Bitch came out of the beauty shop to see Calder waiting for her.
“Were you gone?” Frostily, she walked toward him. “Did you go to the Cut and Chop to get your hair cut?”
She saw his eyes waver from hers. “I was going to come here, but Stud said you and Sex Piston were slammed.”
Her eyes bore into his. “I would have made time to cut your hair.”
“Next time, I know. Sorry.”
She climbed behind him. “Next time I find out you went there, I’ll try my waxing technique out on you.”
She felt him flinch at the threat.
“You want to grab a bite to eat before we hit the road?”
“No, I’m good. You?”
“No.”
Crazy Bitch was hungry. She had to work through lunch today so they could get on the road after her appointments. Sex Piston had taken off a couple of hours ago to get the kids organized and loaded up. She knew damn good and well she had packed the night before. She bet she and Stud were almost to Lexington.
They had to stop for gas a couple of times. She went inside and grabbed a hot dog, eating half of it before coming back outside.
He was putting up the hose when she handed him the one she had bought for him. Calder stared at it strangely before taking a large bite.
She sat down on the bike, taking the last bite. Taking the soda out of her pocket, she then took another can out of her jacket, popping the top and handing it to him.
He took a drink.
“I’ve never had a woman do that for me before.”
Her hand holding the soda paused. “What, buy you a hot dog?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
After she finished her drink and tossed what was left in the trashcan beside the pump, she twined her arms around his waist. “I need you to keep your strength up. Crazy Bitch needs a new bike.”
As they pulled back onto the road, she searched her memory for when any of the women at the club had done something special for him, and couldn’t come up with one instance. She had seen them go into his room, but they would always come out an hour later. Even when he had been with Candi.
Over the last six months, she hadn’t seen any of the bitches make their way to his room. She had seen Ginger make a quick meal for some of the other brothers, but unlike the others, Calder had never asked, limiting his interactions with the women to only asking for a beer.
He was probably getting some from one of the bitches at the Blue Horsemen’s club. He spent most of his nights there when he wasn’t in Lexington with Gavin.
As they drew nearer to Corbin, Calder made the turn from a four-lane road to a two-lane that was as curvy as the one toward Treepoint. It was also narrower, and Crazy Bitch would be glad when they reached the fairgrounds.
The traffic was starting to become backed up. A guy in a red truck was laying on its horn in front of them, his truck stopping and starting with the sound of the powerful engine. The truck was so large that she couldn’t see what kind of vehicle was in front of it.
“I’m glad we’re not in front of him.” She lifted her visor to talk to Calder, since they were sitting still. Calder did the same.
“If he were behind of us, I would have already moved to the side of the road to let him by. He’s being a jerk.?
??
The truck horn started honking incessantly. Then, as the driver started to go around the car, she heard the sound of metal scraping as the truck side-swiped the car, pinning the driver inside.
“This is going to get ugly.” Calder gave her a warning look from over his shoulder. “Whatever goes down, your ass doesn’t come off my bike.”
She didn’t have time to respond before the truck moved forward again, not enough to let the driver out, but enough room for the passenger in the truck to get out and climb onto the hood of the car, jumping up and down on it.
Crazy Bitch felt the tension in Calder’s body, yet he stayed on the bike, watching as the passenger started trying to kick out the car’s windshield.
Leaning to the side, she saw the driver of the car finally manage to get out of their car through the passenger door. They were frightened and told the men to stop.
“I called the police.”
The man on the car jumped down and started mercilessly beating on the driver, who only stood there, trying to block the punches coming his way. Meanwhile, the driver inside the truck egged his partner on.
“Hit him again, Ray. Teach that cocksucker to move when someone blows at him!”
Calder removed his helmet and got off his motorcycle. Crazy Bitch expected him to help the car’s driver. Instead, he went to the door of the truck, jerking it open, then jerking the man out.
“This ain’t no business of yours!”
Calder pushed the man against the side of his truck, pinning his arms behind his back. “Make him stop.” Calder shoved his elbow into the back of the man’s squirming neck.
“Fuck you! Ray!” the man Calder was holding shouted for his friend.
The car’s driver collapsed to the pavement as Ray dropped him to go to his friend’s aid.
Drivers in front and behind them got out of their cars to watch, but no one made a move to help Calder get the two men under control. Some watching had their phones out, recording what was going on, while others were calling nine-one-one. The road was so congested she knew there wasn’t going to be a way for the police to reach them in time.
She started to get off the bike, but Calder saw her and gave her a warning glare that had her ass sinking back down.