Page 47 of Fifty
“Damn, you look rough,” he chuckles. “Had some fun last night, huh?”
“Ugh…” a low growl vibrates through my chest.
“I know what you need,” Mickey answers, and I hear the clicking of glasses behind the bar.
I finally lift my head when I hear the sound of a glass sliding across the bar and stopping in front on me. I find a mug filled with steaming hot coffee sitting beside a shot of whiskey.
“Take the shot first,” he grins.
“Are you trying to fucking kill me?” I glare back.
“Hair of the fuckin’ dog, brother,” he chuckles deeply.
I lift, straightening my hunched body before reaching for the small glass and lifting it to my lips. I toss it back quick, barely even feeling the burn as it slides down.
The clunking of heavy boots rattles against my brain as I sip my coffee, wishing to turn back into a normal functioning human. I can’t even remember the last time I felt this bad after a party; it must’ve been that first year after getting patched in. In all honesty, that was pretty much a blackout year.
I know it’s Kane before I even turn. Out of all my brothers, Kane is the closest I have to a real brother. So, I also know, I’m about to get my ass handed to me. I grit my teeth and turn to face him, prepared to take it like a fucking man.
“God damn. You look like shit,” he observes as he steps back behind the bar and pours himself a cup of coffee.
“And you’re chipper as fuck,” I grumble back.
“Well, some of us didn’t drink our fucking body weight in Jack last night,” a broad grin grows on his face.
“Give me a break. I’ve seen you in worse shape plenty of times,” I remind him.
“Bullshit,” he returns before resting his elbows on the bar and leaning in closer. “I’m not sure what you said or did to Ayla last night, because she’s refusing to tell me, but you better fucking fix it,” he growls against my ear.
“I will…I will,” I answer, hanging my head. He doesn’t need to say another word.
???
I tap lightly on the door. I know she’s home. Kane told me he brought her back here earlier. I finally see movement inside, and the door cracks open the slightest bit.
“Kane’s not here. Go check the clubhouse,” her voice is cold and the door immediately starts to close in my face. I put my hand up, stopping it before she can shut it completely.
“Ay, I’m here to see you. Can I please come inside?” I ask, hoping she’ll ease up.
“I think you said enough last night,” she replies, pushing harder against the door as she tries to force it to close, but my hand holds it steady. If I didn’t feel so guilty, I’d probably laugh at her attempting to move it.
“I know I was a real asshole last night. I’m sorry. Please let me in,” I plead.
She releases a heavy sigh and then pulls the door open. I step through and follow her into the living room.
“Just say whatever it is that you came here to say,” she fumes, her back still towards me.
“I know I said some really horrible shit to you last night, darlin’. I hope you know me enough to know that I didn’t mean any of it, and I’d take it all back in a second if I could,” I start and she finally turns, glaring at me.
“I don’t blame you for being angry. I was really fucked up last night. Actually, I’ve been fucked up for weeks. I know you were just trying to help and I lashed out. But you have to know that you’re like a sister to me, and you’re the last person on the fucking planet that I would ever want to hurt,” I pour out.
“Sit,” she orders. “Do you want a drink?” she asks, softening slightly.
“No, I’m good,” I answer as I drop into the chair behind me and she takes a seat on the edge of the couch.
“You’re wrong. What you said last night, it didn’t make me angry. It hurt. I consider you my brother just as much as Kane’s. I saw you in pain and I wanted to help, and instead of accepting it, you used one of the worst moments of my life and threw it in my face,” her small voice cracks and I swallow hard.
“I know, and I am so fucking sorry,” I offer, feeling the emotion welling in my chest. If I’m finally going to crack in front of someone, Ayla is the best person I could ask for.