The Brick Yard Read Online Free PDF Page B

but knew he had to do it. “And Jax?”
    “His father likes to drink, gets mad, and takes it out on Jax. He came to Brick to learn how to defend himself.”
    Lucky’s nose burned as tears filled his eyes. He pounded his fist against the wall. He needed to get off the phone before Dray realized what a bastard he’d been to the kids. “Thanks for the information. I’ll give you a call if anything changes with Brick.”
    “Hey,” Dray said before Lucky could hang up. “Anytime you need to talk, you can call me. It doesn’t have to be about Brick.”
    “Thanks.” Lucky didn’t know what else to say.
    “And now that you know the truth about Jax, pay it forward,” Dray added before disconnecting the call.
    Lucky wiped the back of his hand over his eyes before shoving the phone into his pocket. He went back inside but didn’t stop at his table. Instead, he walked straight to the kitchen. He found Mac standing at the grill, looking much younger than his seventy plus years. “Dray said to tell you hi.”
    Mac turned around slowly and narrowed his eyes. “So he’s not dead after all?”
    “He said he came in here to tell you goodbye and you refused to speak to him.” Lucky leaned back against the prep table and crossed his arms over his chest. Although Mac had done a lot of good in his life, Lucky wasn’t sure he could forgive him for being a fucking bigot.
    “Dray could’ve easily taken the UFC title, but instead of standing up to the assholes who wanted to bring him down, he tucked his tail between his legs and ran.”
    “The fans would’ve never accepted who he was,” Lucky argued.
    “We’ll never know, will we? Fact is, he didn’t care enough to try and make them accept him. He gave up. I can’t stomach a quitter,” Mac said, before turning back to the grill.
    “It isn’t easy to admit who you are, knowing the people you care about won’t accept it,” Lucky mumbled.
    “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, kid, and in the meantime, apologize to your girlfriend for making her eat alone.” Mac glanced over his shoulder. “Now get the fuck outta my kitchen.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Instead of going home with Briley, Lucky headed back to the gym. As he’d assumed, Jax was sitting in the laundry room doing his homework. “Hey,” he greeted from the doorway.
    Jax glanced up from his history book.
    Lucky had noticed the bruises on Jax’s face before, but he’d wrongfully assumed they were from training. He gestured to the textbook. “History was the only class I enjoyed outside of gym and lunch.”
    “Yeah?” Jax grinned. “Well it’s kicking my ass,” he admitted. “And I’ve got a big test tomorrow.”
    Lucky found another metal folding chair in the corner of the room and carried it over to the table. “Need some help studying?”
    Jax shook his head. “That’s okay. I know you’re busy training and stuff.”
    “I’m not busy at the moment, so you should take advantage of it.” Lucky smiled in an attempt to put Jax at ease. “Now, slide the book over, and if you get an A on this test, I’ll teach you how to land an uppercut that’ll knock an opponent on his ass.”
    Jax’s big green eyes rounded. “Really?”
    Lucky shrugged. He’d planned to discuss Jax’s father and living situation with the kid but decided at the last minute to get to know the younger man first. “Sure.”
    For the next several hours the two of them studied, only taking breaks long enough to fold towels. Lucky glanced at the clock on the back wall. “It’s almost eleven.” He stretched his arms over his head. “I think you got this.”
    Jax nodded and started to stuff his books into his backpack. “I appreciate your help.”
    Lucky got to his feet and pushed the chair in. “Are you going to head home or would you rather crash in Brick’s office?”
    Jax pursed his lips in thought. “Would Brick allow that?”
    “Sure.” Lucky made a split second decision. “Actually, I’m planning to get my own