Southern steel- Mack

5. Mack

We all arrived back to the clubhouse for the celebration of life. My dad was an amazing man and if anyone deserves to be celebrated it is him. I arrive and go to my cabin. I need to change out of these clothes. I throw on some jeans and grey t-shirt. The celebration isn't anything formal. We will eat and have a fire. By the end it will be a typical biker party. People may take it slightly easy because of the run tomorrow. It's no fun to ride when you're hungover and feel like death.

Riding through the Smoky Mountains is an experience every biker should have. The air is crisp, and the scenery is something indescribable. I missed the mountains when I was deployed to some of the hottest and dry places in the world. I did love seeing the different cultures and people. However there is no place like home.

I can't believe how much has changed. This brings my mind to Eden. Back in the day I kinda knew she had a little childhood crush on me the closer we got, before I started making new friends at school and distancing myself from the club. I didn't think too much about it. She was a kid, and Titan's little sister. It was harmless, and I figured she'd grow out of it. If the way she's treating me now means anything she has more than grown out of it.

I kind of feel bad for checking her out at the funeral today. She just took me by surprise. I was so preoccupied by the funeral that I wasn't even thinking about her being there. I had asked about her a few times when I called, and Titan would just say she was doing good. Does she still live with her dad? What has she been up to?

For a moment I feel like a perv thinking about how gorgeous she is because it's hard for me to connect that the woman I noticed today is the 12 year old girl she was when I left. My mind can't comprehend they're the same person.

I shake the thoughts of her from my mind and head to the clubhouse. Once inside I see the crowd of people. Some of them are spilling over to the backyard where the grill and bonfire are getting started. I spot Titan, and he comes over to me. "Meet me in the office."

I nod and grab a beer then head in that direction. In the office is Titan, Trigger, Pops, and Rubble. "What's up guys?"

Titan speaks first. "The club talked last night and decided to make some changes, but the direction of those changes depends on you."

"Rubble and I are getting older and think it's best if we step down and let you younger guys lead. We would like to see the three of you lead together. We know your old man would've wanted the same. He gave me something to hold onto a few months back. I think he knew he was getting close to the end. He had just came back from a visit with you and asked me for a favor."

"The club decided to vote for your dad, Pops, and Rubble's plan. Since Trigger was already a member, Pops stepped down and they voted him in as the new enforcer. Rubble and your dad wanted you to take over as VP once you came home for good. He had this made for you and said it was up to you if you accepted." Titan says pulling out a leather cut with my name and a Vice President patch on it.

"I guess the question is are you home for good and is this what you want? No hard feeling either way. You're always family. If you want to join the club as a regular member that's fine or not join at all. It's your call brother" Trigger says.

I don't think I knew how much this would mean to me being a part of the club until now. The fact that my old man prepared this ahead of time makes it seem like this is exactly what I'm supposed to do.

"I'd be honored to be your VP, Prez." It's odd that Titan is the President but feels right at the same time. He pulls me and slaps my back.

Rubble grabs me and says, " I wouldn't want to leave my position in the hands of anyone else."