Something to Prove

II

Life doesn't get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.

"Something like that will never happen again," I swear to the guys. We're in the weight room of the mansion, working on legs and core. I'm doing weighted squats and fuming to Zack, Jax, and Bash.

"It was one slip up," Bash urges beside me. "Stop beating yourself up about it." He's leaning against the wall next to me, acting as my spotter.

I finish my set and place the bar back on its hooks. "A slip up that could've gotten me killed if you guys hadn't been there. I shouldn't rely on you guys to always be there."

Jax starts to take the weights I had on the bar off. "But we'll always be there," he promises.

"I know that, and I love you all for it," I urge, looking at each of them with all the respect I can muster. "But you have to understand why I can't. We're going to run into so many instances where you guys will be fending off yourselves. If I can't take down two people on my own, there's no way I'll be able to run this industry."

"That guy played dirty, Sky," Bash argues.

"No, he used the environment to his advantage. He did exactly as he was supposed to, and if I can't handle them on my own, I'll be exactly what they want me to be. Dead."

~~~

This life takes a toll on your mental state. My father trains everyday, meets with clients, runs the mansion, and works with every shipment coming in or out of the warehouse. Most think being in a gang means that you simply do bad things and hate everyone who's not in the gang. That's not the case at all.

My dad inherited the business, and we call it that because that's exactly what it is. He decided to begin giving 25% of our earnings to local charities and even makes me and the guys volunteer at some of them every so often. This life is one my family has built over the years and it's grown into something much more than just a gang. This is my family. I want nothing more.

Except to be better than anyone else in my family.

"Okay, since it's Saturday night we get the night off. What movie do you guys wanna watch?" I ask the guys.

Jax groans. "Why don't we do something else? Every time we watch a movie, Zack suggests some kid movie and cries and makes everyone wonder if he's actually the age he says he is."

"Nuh uh!" Zack protests like a child.

They start to bicker like children so I turn to Bash. "What movie do you want to watch?"

He mulls it over in his head for a moment before he finally decides. "Deadpool," he says with a smirk on his face.

I smile and then turn towards the other two who are still arguing. "It's been decided! We're watching Deadpool."

Zack groans and Jax gives an approval nod.

Every time we watch a movie we always prepare for it. We have a theater with tons of seats to sit in but we always choose the four in the middle. It's always Zack, then me, then Jax, and lastly, Bash, all in a row. We bring out the softest blankets we have in the mansion and fill our food trays with candy and popcorn. I know what all the guys like to drink during movies. Zack always goes with Mountain Dew, Jax loves root beer, and Bash always sides with a classic Coke. It doesn't phase me either when Zack hands me my favorite drink without asking; cherry slushy.