Follow Your Dreams - An MC Story

Chapter 2

By the time Black Jack and I enter the house, Willow, Amy and Phillip are nowhere to be found; everyone but Riley are in the living room watching the television.

"Black Jack, Riley wants you and the kid in the kitchen," Axel tells us as his eyes linger on mine; his eyes are soft and full of understanding as Black Jack and I walk off toward the kitchen. He makes me wonder what his life he's had or has.

"Thanks Axel," Black Jack calls back over his shoulder to his friend.

Entering the kitchen, we find Riley sitting at the head of the table sipping a steaming cup of coffee; his eyes flick to ours and he smiles. "Come sit please," he says gesturing toward the empty chairs to the left and right of him.

Sitting down on Riley's left as Black Jack sits on his right; "Willow will no longer be bothering you, Liam, and I apologize for her rude behavior and words earlier."

"I-I'm u-used to it s-sir," I murmur avoiding his eyes; not wanting to see the pity that most people give me when I talk or they see me living on the streets.

"Do you realize you're stuttering less right now?" Riley asks with a raised eyebrow once I look at him again.

"I-I s-stutter less if I t-try r-really hard or am c-comfortable, s-sir," I admit with slightly tinted cheeks.

"So which is it now, kid?" Black Jack asks as he stands to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Um, b-both," I admit as my cheeks darken in color.

"Liam, you don't have to try to not stutter around us and I'm glad you're comfortable with us," Riley smirks as his eyes flash to Black Jack before settling back on mine; causing me to squirm under his stare.

"How would you like to live here with Black Jack and have him become your legal guardian until you're of age?" Riley asks seriously as he intertwines his fingers together on top of the table.

Flicking my eyes to Black Jack, who smiles broadly as he nods quickly before landing my gaze back onto Riley, with a slack jaw and wide eyes as I holler out; "Of c-course!"

Realizing that I've just shouted my answer, I clear my throat as the two men chuckle good-naturally at me; "I m-mean y-yes s-sir, I w-would l-like t-that; t-thank you s-sir."

"Now that's settled, I'll contact my friend and set this in motion; although this does mean you will have to speak to a social worker about your parents and how you ended up to states from your home."

Nodding at him in response since my voice seems to be failing me at the moment at the thought of having to explain everything about my family. I've managed to forget my past for the most part and I don't want to relieve that; a little amount of fear seeps into my entire body.

"Liam, everything will be fine, you won't have to speak to your parents at all unless you choose too," Riley assures me as he takes my left hand in his right hand with a gentle squeeze and a reassuring smile.

"Now finish your breakfast," Riley instructs with a wink as he sips from his mug as I'm handed a plate by Black Jack.

"Y-yes s-sir," I say with the happiest smile I can manage scooping a forkful of scrambled eggs into my mouth and slowly chewing.

I can only manage to finish half of my food before I'm full; "Eat more kid."

Starring at him with a tinge of worry; "I-if I-I do, I-I m-might v-vomit."

Black Jack and Riley have a silent conversation with their eyes before Riley comments. "That's fine Liam but we're planning on fattening you up; my mum was correct in her comment earlier, you are far too small for your size and age."