The Brick Yard (8 page)

“Brick Yard,” Brick replied.

It took a moment for the answer to filter through the shit in his brain but it sorted in time for him to take a left to the gym. He pulled into the parking lot but left the engine running. “I’m going to head home, but I’ll be back in time for this afternoon’s training.”

Brick climbed out of the rented SUV but didn’t shut the door immediately.

Lucky stared at the older man. “What?”

Brick shook his head. “Be careful.”

“Of what?” Lucky asked although he had an idea.

“Don’t let your dick ruin everything you’ve worked for,” Brick said, before closing the door.

Dray parked beside Lucky and held up his hands before leaning across the seat to roll down the passenger window. “You staying?”

Lucky shook his head. “I’ve got to get the rental back.” They’d already decided Dray would sleep on Brick’s foldout sofa while he was in town, so he chanced a request. “Would you mind following me?”

Wrists resting over the steering wheel, Dray’s gaze went to the building. “You think Brick’ll be okay without one of us here?”

“Flint’s here, and school’s almost out for Jax.” Lucky nodded. “He’ll be fine until we get back.”

“Fuck. I can’t believe Flint’s still here.” Dray chuckled, his smile wide.

Lucky bit his bottom lip. It was the first time in years he’d seen Dray’s smile and it was breathtaking. “He’s here. Flint likes working with the younger fighters.”

Since Flint’s fighting career had never really taken off, he’d decided to cut a deal with Brick to use the gym for private clients. Brick being Brick had agreed to let Flint do whatever he needed to do to make a living at a sport he loved.

“It’ll be nice to see him again.” Dray put his truck in reverse. “I’ll follow you.”

Lucky nodded once before pulling out of the parking lot. He pictured Dray sleeping two floors above him and wondered how the hell he was going to keep himself in check. For eight years, he’d jacked off to memories of Dray’s deep voice as Dray’d fucked Vince in the shower. Except in Lucky’s fantasy, he was the one bending over for Dray’s cock. “Shit!”

Two miles from the gym, Lucky parked in front of the rental place. He jumped out and ran inside to drop off the keys before climbing in Dray’s truck. “All set.”

“Where to?” Dray asked.

“Home,” Lucky answered. “I’m starving, and I need to do a load of laundry.”

Dray exited the parking lot. He cleared his throat and adjusted himself in the seat. “I’ve done nothing but think since I left you at Brick’s door last night.” He stopped at a red light and glanced at Lucky. “It’s obvious we’re into each other, so I won’t pretend otherwise, but you need to know, I’m not going to act on that attraction.”

Lucky held Dray’s gaze until Dray broke eye contact when the light turned green. “Why?” Lucky finally asked. He rubbed at the tightness in his chest.

“Because once it starts, we won’t stop until someone finds out and it ruins your career,” Dray stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “I won’t do that to you, even if you beg me.”

* * * *

After dropping off his luggage at Brick’s, Dray bypassed Lucky’s apartment and drove to the gym. He’d have normally just walked, but he wanted his truck in case Brick wasn’t up to walking home at the end of the day.

Dray spent the first hour in the gym, talking to Flint, meeting Jax and several of the other members before finally joining Brick in the office. He shut the door behind him and dropped to the couch. Grinning, he ran his palm over the cracked avocado green vinyl. “I can’t believe you still have this.”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s still good and it wipes down easy. I can’t tell you how many sweaty asses have been on that damn thing,” Brick grumbled.

Dray laughed. Despite the years he’d been gone, it was nice to know Brick’s sunny disposition hadn’t changed. “I’ll remember that the next time I come in after a workout without putting my pants on.”

A coughing spell halted Brick’s retort. Dray tensed for several moments before he leaned back and waited. He wanted to jump up and do something, but he knew that would only anger Brick. Not only that, but the old man had already hid his condition once, and Dray knew if he or Lucky started to hover, Brick would shut them out again.

Brick reached down and came back with a stained towel as Dray averted his gaze. “Sorry,” Brick mumbled after closing the drawer.

“Are you in pain?” Dray asked, needing to know.

Brick scratched his unshaven jaw. “I have pills.”

“When do you go back to the doctor?” Dray hated to push Brick with questions, but he didn’t think Lucky would be able to ask them.

“I don’t. I’m done.”

Dray glared at Brick. As much as he loved the old man, the lies had to stop. “I know you don’t want to think or talk about this shit, but it’s happening.” He’d kept his mouth shut while Lucky was around, but now that he was alone with Brick, he needed the truth. “How much weight have you lost? Fifteen pounds? More?”

Brick rested his forearms on the desk. “Why’re you doing this? I’m dying, and I know it, so I don’t need you to tell me I look like shit.” He shook his head before opening the top drawer of his desk. He pulled out a plain manila folder and held it out. “I need you and Lucky to read over these and sign them. They have to be notarized, but you can get that done at the bank.”

Dray retrieved the folder but couldn’t bring himself to open it. “Is this your power-of-attorney paperwork?”

“Yeah, the Advanced Health Care Directive and a copy of my will,” Brick replied.

Dray had known it was coming, but holding the proof, he just stared at the folder. He’d given the situation a lot of thought during the hours of driving. “I don’t want Lucky’s name on the directive.”

“Why the hell not?”

Dray glanced at Brick. “Lucky doesn’t need that shit weighing on him.” Truthfully, he didn’t think Lucky was strong enough to deal with what was coming, but he wouldn’t verbalize it. “He needs to concentrate on the upcoming tournament he’s registered for. He tell you about that?”

Brick nodded. “He needs the money. If he wins, he can make more in two weeks than he makes in a year on the circuit.”

According to Lucky, he was fighting in the tournament for Brick’s benefit. Dray couldn’t help wondering who Lucky was lying to. “Is money a problem for him?”

If that was the case, Dray had some extra cash squirreled away. He’d much rather give it to Lucky than to have Lucky enter the blood bath Ray Bruno was putting together. Despite Lucky’s indifference to the fans, he was a damn good fighter and could probably win, but Dray never understood why skilled fighters entered the underground tournaments. Sure, there was money to be made, but the fights were often referred to as human cockfights.

“Lucky’s mom’s up for parole. He knows he’s going to have to set her up in a place.” Brick shrugged. “Alana’s a fucking mess, always has been, but no matter how many times Lucky tries to tell himself he’s over her, he always busts his ass to help when she asks for it.”

“What’d she go in for?” Dray asked.

“It’s her second time in. Both for distribution.”

Dray wondered how Lucky would be able to deal with the tournament, Brick’s failing health and his junkie mother. Dray stood and tossed the folder back on Brick’s desk. “Lucky’s got enough shit to deal with. Take his name off the power-of-attorney, and I’ll sign it and get it notarized.”

* * * *

After an easy workout and shower, Lucky grabbed his gym bag. He stopped at the laundry room to find Jax doing homework. “Hey.”

Jax looked up and smiled. “I got my test back.” He dug around in his backpack before pulling out a sheet of paper. “Take that!” he cried, slamming the test on the table.

Lucky grinned at the B plus written in red. “Good job.” He eyed Jax for several moments before gesturing with a wave of his hand. “Let’s go. I think you deserve dinner at Mac’s.”

Jax’s big blue eyes lit up. “Really? What about showing me some moves?”

Lucky hadn’t forgotten what he’d promised the kid in exchange for a good grade. “I believe the deal for showing you how to execute an uppercut was an A,” he reminded Jax.

“Seriously?” Jax whined. “I got a fucking B plus, man.”

“Yeah, and that’s why I’m taking you to Mac’s.” Lucky pointed to the door. “Let’s go.” He grinned to himself, knowing he’d end up showing Jax a few moves, but first the kid needed to eat.

Jax caught up to Lucky halfway between The Brick Yard and Mac’s. “I read that The Hammer suffered three broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.”

Lucky nodded. Brick had told him earlier on their way home from Indianapolis, but it wasn’t something Lucky could dwell on. Every fighter knew what was at stake when they stepped into the cage. He opened the door to Mac’s and waited for Jax to go inside before following.

“You almost lost that fight last night, boy,” Mac yelled from the window cut into the wall between the counter and the kitchen.

Lucky ignored Mac and slid into his usual booth. “Order whatever you want,” he told Jax.

“Anything?” Jax’s eyebrows shot up toward his hairline.

“You earned it.” Lucky sat sideways in the booth with his back against the wall. He needed to talk to Jax about Brick, but he wasn’t sure how. “The usual,” he told Trish when she came to the table.

“I’ll have the rib-eye, medium, with a double order of fries and a chocolate milkshake,” Jax ordered.

“He’ll have the rib-eye with one order of fries and a side of green beans,” Lucky amended. “But he can have the milkshake.”

“Sure thing,” Trish said before yelling their order across the diner to Mac.

“I like fries,” Jax argued.

“Yeah, and you’re gettin’ fries, but you’re also eating a vegetable.” Lucky’s diet consisted primarily of protein and vegetables. If Jax was serious about whipping his body into shape, he’d need to change his eating habits, but after finding out why Jax needed to learn to fight, he wasn’t sure the kid wanted to make a career of it. Lucky decided to show Jax how to land an impressive uppercut, knowing a showdown between Jax and his father was inevitable.

“I met Dray today,” Jax said.

Trish stopped at the table and set Jax’s milkshake in front of him.

“Thanks.” Jax smiled up Trish.

“No problem, sweetie,” Trish replied before walking off.

Jax took a sip and sighed. “Brick told me he used to fight professionally.”

“Yeah. Dray was one of the best.” Lucky took a sip of his orange juice. “He was known as The Dragon. Did he tell you that?”

Jax shook his head and smiled. “Do you think I can find something online about him?”

Lucky knew for a fact there were photos and two video clips, because he’d watched them multiple times over the years. “Probably.” He heard a huff and glanced up just as Mac set two dinner plates on the table.

Mac stared down at Lucky’s legs where they rested on the seat until Lucky got the hint and moved them. Sliding in beside Lucky, Mac scowled. “Dray’s in town?”

Lucky nodded. “He came in to help out.” He nudged Mac with his thigh before flicking his gaze toward Jax.

Mac bit his bottom lip, and with a heavy sigh, climbed out of the booth. “Come and talk to me before you leave.”

“Okay,” Lucky agreed as he prepared to eat his dinner.

Several minutes after Mac had left, Jax set down his fork. “Is Brick gonna die?”

Lucky finished chewing a bite of steak, taking his time as he tried to come up with a good answer. Finally, once he’d swallowed, he took a deep breath and laid everything out. “Yeah. He’s got cancer. We don’t know how long he has, but our guess is a couple of months.”

Jax’s big eyes filled with tears but he sniffed and blinked them away before they could fall. He pushed his plate away with half of his dinner left uneaten. “Is that why Dray’s here?”

Lucky nodded. “Brick’s leaving the gym to me and Dray, so you don’t have to worry about it closing down.”

“What about fighting? Are you still gonna have time for that?”

It was a question Lucky had asked himself a dozen times since talking to Brick. “I’m going to try, but in the end, The Brick Yard’s more important than squaring off in a cage with an asshole week after week.”

“But according to Brick, you’ve always wanted to be a fighter,” Jax argued.

Lucky couldn’t deny it. He’d always known fighting was his way out of the neighborhood. He didn’t have the brains or the grades to go to college and working at a bullshit job just to make enough to scrape by each month wasn’t the goal he’d set for himself. Once again, he thought of
The Great Gatsby
. It was the only book he’d ever owned, and the only one he’d read from cover to cover. Fuck, he’d read the damn thing so many times he’d practically memorized it.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens. It’s possible. Depends on what Dray decides to do. He got out once, so I’m not sure if he’s willing to come back permanently.” Since his conversation with Dray earlier in the day, Lucky hadn’t been able to think of anything else. Dray was into him—he’d said it himself—but he’d also said he wouldn’t act on their mutual attraction. Of course Lucky knew why, and he understood Dray’s reasoning, but he didn’t believe a physical relationship between the two of them would be discovered. He trusted Dray not to talk, and he’d hid his true nature for years, so he doubted he’d give it away by his actions in public.

“Sit tight, and I’ll get us a couple of to-go boxes while I see what the hell Mac wants.” Lucky slid out of the booth. He waited at the door to the kitchen until Mac waved him inside.

“You tell the kid?” Mac asked.

“Just now.” Lucky leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. He knew Mac had watched the fight online, he’d already admitted as much. “Did you see Brick between the second and third round?”

“Yeah.” Mac continued to clean the grill. “Didn’t look good.”

“It wasn’t.” Lucky took a deep breath. Mac was the only man he knew that had the power to intimidate him. He was used to Brick’s blustering, and although he knew Mac had a good heart, his opinion of the man had changed in the last few weeks. If Mac could cut Dray out of his life for disappointing him, what would he think of Lucky’s decision to fight in Bruno’s tournament? For days he’d gone back and forth on whether or not to fess up that he’d officially entered.