Trial By Fire - Bouncing Back, Book 1

Thirteen

“Okay, guys,” Memphis started as they sat in Lukas’s bedroom. “I need help, and the girls cannot know about it. At all. Cause we all know that what Sky knows, Kenni knows.”

“Uh, you’re asking us for help?” Mark asked, raising a brow as he ran a hand through his hair. He was lounging on the windowsill of his brother’s room, glaring out at the passing vehicles. “What for? I mean, why not go to the higher-ups to ask them?”

Holding in his laughter, Phoenix shook his head. Tilting his gaze towards the two techies lying on the bed, he smirked. “It’s not a problem they can make go away. You’re planning on getting Kenni something special, aren’t you?”

Markus’s smile fell, his grey eyes narrowing. “I’m kind of jealous, man. She’s practically taken over the MC now, you’re dating her, and your dad actually likes her. I mean, yeah, she might be hot, but way too mouthy for my tastes.”

For some reason, his best friend was envious of his relationship. Memphis got to his feet, shaking his head as he pursed his lips. He could hear Jaxon say something under his breath. An icy chill ran through him, and he moved before the others realized what he was doing. Grabbing his best friend’s boyfriend, he pushed Jaxon behind him.

Markus’s fingers narrowly missed grabbing the sweater the younger teen was wearing. He glared at Memphis, making it clear that he was put out by the intervention. “What the f**k? Stay out of my relationship, Mem.”

“Then you stay out of mine. Just remember, if Kenni hears that you put a wrong hand on Jax, she’s not going to stop with giving you a black eye.” Memphis shot back. “Why don’t you stop letting your emotions blind you and go read your bible. Then, you can go kneel at church and ask God to forgive your sin of Envy along with coveting what others own.”

The room stopped until Lukas started slowly clapping. “I’ve been telling you to lay off. It was only a matter of time before someone shoved our devout beliefs back in our faces because of your attitude, bro. The fact that you somehow managed to push your best friend into it? Wow. Just wow, Markie.”

A bang from the front of the flat alerted them to Trace’s arrival.

Phoenix grunted a laugh, shaking his head. His jaw worked as he began to realize that Markus was a little more unpredictable than normal. “That’s enough.”

The determined order suddenly commanded silence over the assembly of males. The fact that Nix was a natural didn’t bother the other boys as much as the fact that they all knew they were replaceable, but he was not. Their collective silence told him they knew he was in charge, yet their deep-rooted friendship allowed them some normalcy along the way.

“Mark, if you want to pull your holier-than-thou bullshit, I’ll be happy to let your father know how you’ve been behaving. You know exactly who he’s going to involve,” the heir cautioned.

Swallowing, Mark sat back on the windowsill. He slowly shook his head, “Hell, nah. I don’t need my ears ringing until next month. Anyway, what’s so special about the b***h that you need help picking out a gift?”

“Her birthday is tomorrow, El Stupido,” Lukas snapped, rolling his eyes. “It makes sense that he’s scrambling for ideas from us specifically.”

Jaxon barked a harsh laugh, “You all forgot one thing. To Kennedy, there’s nothing more important than family and freedom.”

His hand stopping as he reached for his jacket, Memphis turned to the baby of their crew. A happy light danced in the brown orbs as he hurried to put his leather coat on. “Gamsahaeyo, Jax. I completely forgot about that.”

Phoenix laughed as he pulled out his phone to check his messages. Scowling, he shoved the device back in his pocket and grabbed his coat. “Got to go. Seth and Steven are giving Mom a hard time again, so my fiancée is on her way over to give her a hand. Meanwhile, I've got a meeting with Francesco about the wedding in June. He wants to go over some of the details with me in person.”

Watching as Memphis nodded, he breathed a laugh. "You got this, man. Just keep it real with her, and you'll be fine. You know she’s a complex little shorty with a jaded outlook and the personality of a drill sergeant.”

“Thanks,” Memphis said with a grin as he reached for the handle. The door suddenly swung open, and he was startled to see Trace on the other side. "Hey, Trace."

“Abend,” the man replied in German. His eyes narrowed on his oldest son as he shook his head. “Markus Adolph Roberts, your days to cook are Wednesday and Saturday, are they not? According to the schedule, today is Wednesday, it’s nearing seven-thirty in the evening, and you have nothing done. Am I raising lazy brats?”

His eyes wide, Markus paled as his father crossed his arms. He and his little brother – had signed a specified terms of agreement their father created for them when they were old enough. Every chore in the house was divided between the three. Sundays were rest days, so they would normally go to dinner at a restaurant while taking turns cooking every other day. Getting to his feet, he groaned, “Seriously, Dad?”

“Ja, now get gone. That food ain’t going to cook itself,” Trace grumbled. “Luke, you’re on dishes tonight. Jax, are you staying or going home?”

The teen blinked, “I’m going home. Mark got a little jealous, so I think some time apart might help.”

“You got it, kid. Don’t let my brat trample over you,” Trace turned his eyes to Memphis. “So, Kenni, huh? Got anything planned for her birthday?”

Running a hand over his hair, the younger man shook his head. Dressed in his usual ripped jeans, tank, and leather jacket, Trace bled dangerous, but Memphis and the others knew the man had one hell of a sense of humour. “I have an idea, but do you have any advice?”

“I know a list of s**t she likes to do for her birthday. After all, it’s been the same every year; a motorbike ride in the country, family dinner, maybe a fun day at Fallsview Waterpark. Hell, she’d enjoy a spin on the Niagara SkyWheel,” Trace said as he walked away.

Memphis blinked. How had he forgotten about her favourite things to do when they celebrated birthdays together for years? “Man, I must be having memory issues to forget that stuff. Yo, Nix, you coming?”

There was something to be said for having a dad that was not only strict and a devout Christian. He knew from spending nights that Trace demanded a certain level of respect and consideration while he preached taking care of each other.

“Jerk,” his best friend muttered. Moving to the stove, Mark got to work on a full meal. “Nah, I’m just a little green that I only know basic cooking skills, and you got this whole three-course-meal s**t down,” Memphis replied.

Trace smirked, turning from the refrigerator with a tray of glasses and silverware to set the table. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he set his sights on the Black teen watching him, “You better run unless you want to be my next victim.”

He glanced between the father and son duo with a confused look. When he noticed Mark shaking his head vigorously, he let his smile fall away. Taking a step back, he said, “Nope. I got Ken already breathin’ down my neck about cooking, and Dad is letting her. Are we still on for Sunday evening?”

“Hell, yeah,” Mark answered as he checked the food in the oven. “Looking forward to a nice bike ride after the hell we just went through in school last week.”

Memphis shook his head. “Speaking of, I need to go find my girlfriend before I’m late for our tutoring session. Ciao!”

“Tell your father to call me later,” Trace called after him. “We need to discuss the next mission.”

Walking the familiar path to his house, he looked up to see Kennedy and his father sitting on the porch. Her books were stacked beside her, and he noted the tiniest movements that said she was showing him her AP work.

Last week, they got slammed with tests one after the other. The teachers who seemed a little too smug about failing him were shocked when he scraped the exams with high seventies and eighties. Then again, they didn’t know that his girl had been on top of everything, diligently ensuring everything worked out so that he passed his courses.

His father had been the most relieved. Collapsing in his favourite armchair in the sitting room after receiving the results, he profusely thanked the girl for her determination in helping Memphis get through his toughest year yet. That evening was yet another fight over the ingredients used for supper. Once again, Kennedy won, commandeering the kitchen and kicking his father out so she could work in peace.

She glanced up, smiling brightly as if she was actually happy to know he was home. He knew she was – the shine that only appeared in the sky blues he loved so much told him that much at least. Her usual black jeans and Misfits T-shirt fit her nicely. She looked up as she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ears. “Hey, thought you would have been longer.”

“Nope. We have a study session, remember? Mark got told off by his dad, Luke and Jax are finishing up their assignments, Nix is gone to a meeting with his future father-in-law, Rom is heading over to help Amber with the kids, and Sky is gone to a modelling gig she landed. Dad, Trace said he wants you to call him.” He said as his girlfriend followed him into the house.