middle school when Blaine had taken down Cuffs, who had been Cameron at the time, for giving Justin shit. Afterward, Justin had asked Blaine why he’d taken his side instead of his best friend’s, and Blaine had said, The minute you had a bed in our house, you became family. I’ll always have your back, but that doesn’t mean I’ll take your shit.
Blaine had become Justin’s first real friend, and Justin had never raised a hand to him again.
“Prince among thieves?” Justin laughed. “Our devious deeds were usually your idea, like sneaking out to meet Marcy Hurley and her friend by the dunes.”
Blaine tipped his face up and smiled. “Ah. Marcy Hurley. She was—”
“Too damn hot for the likes of you,” Zeke said.
They all laughed.
“I was going to say she was a nice girl,” Blaine said.
“Nice and easy,” Tank said under his breath.
Blaine said, “I plead the Fifth.”
Preacher shook his head, eyeing Conroy and chuckling as he lifted his bottle to his lips.
Preacher lifted his brows, and then his eyes turned serious and he pointed around the table. “You boys cannot say that woman’s name around your mamas, got it?”
“Women don’t like to hear about the first woman their men slept with.” Conroy looked across the table and said, “Seriously, Preach, let’s get back to Dad. Are things okay with him? Do you want me and Ging to take him for a couple of months?”
“Nah, we’ve got him. You have the bar to deal with, and moving is a hassle. Besides, he’d probably take your four-wheeler out for a joyride and get arrested.” Preacher and Conroy shared a laugh. “I know the old man misses his freedom, but the years are catching up to him.”
“He’s stubborn as a mule, like his sons. By the way, I talked to Sonja and Jake the other day. They offered to help, but I told them we’ve got him covered.” Their younger brother and sister had moved away from the Cape right after college. Conroy took a swig of his beer. He looked at Justin and said, “Before I forget, Maverick, Ginger wanted to know if you’re still on board to make a sculpture to auction off at the rally.”
“Definitely. I’ve already started designing it.” It was true, he had begun. Several times. He had been sculpting since he was a teenager, and he had a studio on his property, where he spent many long evenings. Last summer he’d had his first gallery opening, and he’d had a steady flow of clients ever since. But for the first time in his life, he was creatively stuck. Every time he started to conceptualize a piece for the rally, he hit a wall.
“Awesome. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” Conroy pushed to his feet and said, “Come on, Preach. I’ll beat your ass in a game of pool.”
“It’s your funeral,” Preacher said as he walked away.
“Hey, Mav, you still want to get that tat you mentioned last week?” Tank asked.
“Definitely. As soon as you’re free.”
“I had a cancellation for next Friday night,” Tank said as Gunner and Baz returned with the dogs on their heels.
“Great. I’ll take it.”
Gunner held the kitten up and kissed her nose. “What are you taking?”
“Booking a tat.” Justin reached up and took the kitten from him. He rubbed her soft fur against his cheek and said, “She’s pretty damn cute.”
“Give me my baby back.” Gunner took the kitten from his hands.
“We’re heading over to the Hog. Y’all want to come?” Baz looked at Blaine and said, “Marly might be there.” Marly Bowers, a gorgeous brunette with olive skin and exotic eyes, was a close friend of their families. She’d lost her brother to a motorcycle accident years ago and had since founded the Head Safe motorcycle helmet safety program.
Buster ambled over to Blaine and licked his hand. Blaine petted him as he rose to his feet and said, “I could definitely use a drink of that hot little cocktail.”
“I’m in, too.” Zander looked at Zeke and said, “You’re not blowing us off again, teach. I need my wingman.”
Zander dragged Zeke to his feet by the back of his leather vest. Zeke knocked his hand away and said, “You haven’t needed a wingman since you were fourteen and you picked up that sixteen-year-old girl on the beach.”
Zander grinned. “Yeah, I really don’t need one, but I like having you with me, bro.” He looked at Justin and