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place, so once I’m out, you can always stay in the storage room if you’re too tired to go home after work. It’s not perfect, but it’s comfortable.”
    Jax’s expression changed. “Brick told you, didn’t he?”
    Lucky shook his head. He wouldn’t lie to the kid, but he wouldn’t give Dray up either. “There’s a reason I moved into that storage room in the first place. You’re not the only one who’s been afraid to go home at night.”
    “I don’t want to talk about it,” Jax mumbled, shouldering his pack.
    “I can respect that, but if you change your mind, I’m here.” Lucky picked up a stack of towels and waited for Jax to do the same. “And, for the record, I suck at math, so I can’t help you there.”
     
    * * * *
     
    After a sleepless night, Lucky knocked on Brick’s office door. “You got a minute?”
    “Yeah,” Brick answered.
    Lucky opened the door and stepped inside. Elbows propped on the desk, Brick ran his fingers through what was left of his white hair. “What the fuck do you want? You should be training,” Brick growled.
    Lucky closed the door behind him. He was used to Brick’s moods after so many years, but the man in front of him wasn’t himself. “You feeling okay?”
    Brick dropped his hands to the desk in exasperation. “Is there a reason you interrupted me?”
    “I thought I’d let you know that I’m going out this morning to look for an apartment.” Lucky sank onto the sofa, noticing the neatly folded blanket lying across the arm. “You should’ve kicked me out years ago.”
    “Why would I do that? I figured you’d leave when you were ready,” Brick answered before a coughing fit hit him.
    Lucky waited for Brick to regain control of his breathing before continuing. “You should’ve told me Jax needed a place to crash. Just like you should’ve told me about Leon.”
    Brick’s gaze narrowed. “Did Dray open his fuckin’ mouth?”
    “Yeah, and in the process of telling me what you should have, he opened my eyes. I’ve been acting like a selfish bastard, and you let me.” Lucky fucking hated the idea of moving out of his safe place, but he was an adult with enough money to get his own apartment. Jax wasn’t as fortunate. Lucky got to his feet. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know.”
    Brick growled under his breath, a sure sign he was frustrated as hell. “There’s a one-bedroom apartment in my building for rent. I’ll talk to the manager on your behalf if you’re interested.”
    Lucky nodded. Brick’s place was only two blocks from the gym. It was an older building with character and a small plot of grass in the courtyard for all residents to share. He’d never been able to look out a window and see grass. “Okay. Yeah. I’d appreciate that.”
    Brick coughed again. “Fine. Now get your lazy ass out there and train. The Hammer isn’t gonna lay down for you in the cage just because you’ve had a fucking epiphany about your life.”
    With a shake of his head, Lucky left the office. Brick was too goddamned stubborn for his own good. There was no fucking way the old man had bronchitis. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much Lucky could do about it other than watch Brick and make sure he took care of himself.
    He motioned for Hector, one of his sparring partners, before climbing into the ring. “Let’s go,” he said, knowing the only way he’d feel better was to fight.
     
    * * * *
     
    Lucky unlocked the door to his apartment before carrying the last box inside. He flipped on the light and grinned. The place had been fully furnished with clearance items from the local thrift store. He set the box down and sat on his twelve-dollar orange and gold floral sofa. It looked like hell, but it was comfortable, probably more so than the mattress he’d dug out of the dumpster behind the building.
    He leaned forward and pulled the box over. Staring down at the contents, he willed himself to reach inside and start reliving the memories of his childhood