The Brick Yard by Carol Lynne Read Free Book Online

locker room. “Hey,” he greeted.
    Jax settled the stack of towels onto the shelf. “You got a minute?”
    “Sure.” Lucky finished tying his shoes. “What’s up?” he asked when Jax didn’t continue.
    “Not here.” Jax glanced at the handful of men in the room. “Laundry room?”
    “Okay.” Lucky stood and grabbed the small backpack he’d picked up the previous day. It was the first time in his life he’d had to carry clothes to and from the gym, and he didn’t like it at all. He entered the laundry room, expecting to help Jax with homework, but the expression on Jax’s face told him something was wrong. Lucky wondered if Jax’s dad had gone after him again. “Jax?”
    Jax reached into one of the cupboards and pulled out a stained towel. “I found this in Brick’s office. I went in there to empty the trash and the corner of this was sticking out of his bottom desk drawer.”
    Lucky took it from Jax and stared at it. There were spots covering both sides of the towel in varying shades between bright red and the dark, brownish red of old blood. It was obvious upon inspection that Brick had been coughing up blood for days, maybe weeks.
    “What do you think it means?” Jax asked.
    Lucky took a calming breath. “I don’t know, but I’m damn sure gonna find out.” He started to turn but stopped and glanced at Jax. “Thank you for showing me this.”
    “Do you think he’ll be mad at me?”
    Lucky shook his head. “I won’t tell him how I got it.” He left the laundry room and looked around the gym for Brick. When he didn’t see the old sonofabitch, he knocked on the office door.
    “What?” Brick yelled.
    Lucky walked into the office and threw the towel on Brick’s desk before crossing his arms over his chest. “I need you to be honest with me.”
    Brick snatched the towel and shoved it back into his drawer. “You been snooping?”
    “Doesn’t matter,” Lucky answered, refusing to give up Jax. “How sick are you?”
    Brick took a sip of water. “Cancer. Stomach and lungs.”
    Lucky dropped into one of the chairs in front of Brick’s desk. He bent over and rested his forearms on his knees, trying like hell to catch a breath. For over two months he’d watched Brick struggle with the damn cough. Yes, he’d pushed him to go to the doctor, but he’d known in his gut Brick had lied about the diagnosis and he’d done nothing. Fuck! He fisted his hands, trying to get his anger under control. “What’re they doing about it?” he finally asked.
    “Nothing,” Brick replied. “And that’s my choice, so don’t start bitchin’ about the doctor.”
    “What the fuck? You’re just going to give up?” Lucky pounded his fist on the desk. “What about this place? And Jax?” He tried to swallow, his throat thickening as he fought down the urge to hit someone. “What about me?”
    “You’ll be fine.” Brick rubbed his face with his palm. “I’d planned to eventually talk to you and Dray about taking over the gym with the condition that you’ll continue to watch over Jax and anyone who might come along after him.”
    Lucky thought of the bloody towel. “How long were you going to wait to tell someone?”
    “If you’re worried about your fight schedule, don’t be. I should make it through the end of the season,” Brick grumbled.
    Lucky shot to his feet. “Fuck you!” He walked to the door but couldn’t make himself go through. He knew he wasn’t angry with Brick, no matter how stupid the old man’s statement was. It was the situation that made him feel like he was about to explode. “Sorry,” he said as he leaned his forehead against the door.
    “I know,” Brick replied. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to break it to you.”
    “Yeah, well, let me clue you in on something. Asking me if I care more about the fucking fight season than the man who’s been the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real parent isn’t it.”
    “I just wanted you to know that I can make it