“I found some stash and needed a pick-me-up. I got it, and now I like it. I don’t have a problem.” He shoved Lash’s arm away, stepping under the cold water.
“You don’t have a problem?” Lash asked.
“No, I don’t.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lash speak with Angel, then kiss her on the lips before turning back to him. The sound of the bedroom door being slammed echoed through to the bathroom.
“If you don’t have a problem then please f**king tell me how a guy from the next town over was found beaten almost to death, but he was able to tell your description.”
Nash froze under the water not saying a word. He thought he’d covered his tracks. Looking for drugs in Fort Wills was dangerous and f**king stupid. Tiny knew everything that was going on inside his town. Mess with Tiny and you messed with the whole Skulls. Nash had only wanted a pick-me-up.
“Did I also forget to mention this guy, the one that was beaten, is a known druggie? He supplies and takes the shit. You have put The Skulls back on the map, you shit-head, but not just for distribution, no, you’ve got us all on the mark for taking the shit as well through the rumor mill.” Lash stopped, stepping away. “Alex is going ape shit over this. You’ve messed up with the next shipment ‘cause we’ve got to lay low. Enemies are created by not meeting bargains, shit-head.”
Nash listened to everything Lash said feeling his stomach turn.
Turning off the shower, he ignored his shaking hand. Lash handed him a towel.
“Tiny’s on the warpath, and when he comes at you, you better be careful,” Lash said.
“You’re not going to stop him?”
“No, I’m not. Maybe getting your ass hurt or even kicked out might make you realize the shit going down.” Lash looked him up and down.
He was surprised by the look of disgust on Lash’s face.
“What?” Nash asked, getting angry.
“I’m just thinking about Mom and Dad. I wonder what they’d have to say to your addiction. The Skulls is not a place to be messing around.”
Lash turned to leave. Fisting his hands at his side, Nash stopped himself from asking for help.
He didn’t have a problem, and there was no way he was going to let his brother talk him into thinking he had a problem.
At the door Lash turned. He stalked back toward him, and Nash waited.
Nash didn’t expect the fist, especially from his brother. He went down as the punch knocked him off balance. His brother hovered over him.
“You ever bring shit like that near my woman again and I’ll f**king kill you.” Lash turned away, without looking back.
Grabbing the side of his face, Nash tried to get to his feet unsteadily. When he looked at his reflection in the mirror he saw the blood flowing from his lip.
Checking out his appearance he saw how the drugs he’d been taking affected his body. He rarely ate anymore, and the signs of not eating were starting to show. His skin looked pale, and there was an unhealthy sheen to his skin.
Fuck, he looked a mess, nothing like the man he was a couple of months ago.
That’s what the drugs do to you.
Nash cut off the thought, brushed his teeth, and grabbed his clothes. He didn’t need confirmation in the mirror that he looked like shit because he felt it.
Opening his bedroom door he headed downstairs to get some breakfast. Hardy and Rose were sat at the table. Several of the sweet-butts were cooking, but for the most part the clubhouse was empty.
“Where is everyone?” he asked.
Hardy glared at him, clearing his throat. Rose left immediately and the sweet-butts.
“What the hell’s going on?” Nash ran fingers through his long hair, shocked by how much it had grown.
“They’re out working. Lash covered for your ass again,” Hardy said, standing up.
The respect Nash had for Hardy was high. He hated the look of disgust in the other man’s eyes. Nash was shocked by the looks his brother and now Hardy were giving him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No? I know a drug addict when I see one. I don’t like you being at the clubhouse, but Tiny’s got too many problems with Eva and the club to see your problems. We all see it, and the guys don’t like it. We’ve got women and children who visit here, regularly. Drugs are not part of the deal with us.” Hardy folded his hands over his chest, stepping close. “I’m giving you a chance to get clean, or I’m making Tiny aware of the fact.” He turned to look in the direction where Rose walked off. “My woman means the world to me. You put her in danger, and I’ll end you.”
With those parting words, Hardy left. Standing in the empty clubhouse, Nash zeroed in on Mikey’s picture. The older biker had been killed four months ago by one of their enemies. It had been that long since the old man had died, but it felt like he’d been gone far longer. Nash missed him. Mikey was the one guy who knew how to handle everything. Tiny was the leader, the guy in charge, but Mikey had been the voice of reason. Nash had been taking drugs for over two months. The fact he hadn’t been caught shocked him. Tiny really must be distracted with the rebuild of the club, Tate’s wedding, and everything else to do with their lives. Nash’s luck would run out sooner rather than later. He knew it down to his soul.
Staring at the picture Nash realized he’d been controlled by the drugs longer than he thought. Staring down at his hands, he vowed to get sober from it all. No drinking, no drugs, and no rough partying.
His hands started to shake, and the scent of booze lingered in the air. Drink was never really a problem. He could handle one drink.
****
Sophia Wright stared at the box in front of her. Ever since her landlord had been calling for her rent she’d had no choice but to get another job in the boxing factory. Between her waitressing job and the factory job she was earning enough to make ends meet. Providing nothing happened in her life like illness or, heck, actually having a life, she’d be fine. When she learned that Edward Myers, or Nash as he was known as to most people, had been paying for her place and that he’d stopped paying suddenly, she’d been shocked. She hadn’t realized he was paying for her place, and then she’d been hurt. He’d moved her into a place that she couldn’t afford, but she loved.
Shaking her head, she got back to business of making up the box in front of her. If she didn’t make up her quota her boss was going to be on her ass for more. She hated her boss. He was a f**king ass**le.