Solo by Carol Lynne

meeting room. Most of his brothers were seated around the table and against the walls.
    “Have a seat,” Switch ordered.
    Solo strode to the table and stood in front of the chair he usually sat in. Sitting was the last thing he wanted to do if he was going to be jumped. Better to be on his feet. “With permission, I’d like to say something first.”
    Switch scratched his jaw but eventually nodded.
    Solo braced his hands on the long, scarred wooden table and addressed his brothers. “Some of you know why you’re here, but I can tell by the friendly faces that greeted me when I came into the room, that not all of you know what I’ve done.” He watched as the expressions on some of his brothers turned questioning. “A while back, I decided I liked dick over pussy.”
    He waited for the statement to sink in before continuing. “I know that’s enough right there to lose your trust, and if it’ll make things better, I’ll be out in the parking lot following the meeting. Bring your pissed off attitudes and your fists and we’ll settle it one way or another.”
    Grumbles between men filled the air as each brother turned to the man beside him to discuss the announcement.
    Solo waited, and sure enough, Switch banged his gavel against the table, calling for quiet.
    “Have a seat,” Switch ordered again.
    With no other choice, Solo sank into his chair and waited for the Prez to direct the meeting.
    “I don’t give a shit what you like to fuck as long as you stay away from my dog and my wife,” Switch said. “However, in your case, things might’ve been easier if you’d tried to hump my dog.”
    Several brothers chuckled, but Switch quieted them with a stare.
    Switch turned his attention back to Solo. “You’ve been seeing a cop,” he stated for the room to hear.
    “Yes.” Solo refused to apologize for falling in love with Blue. “A cop who worked with me to find the sonofabitch who was selling drugs to kids.”
    “A cop who was shot today saving my ass and Solo’s,” Rowdy added. “The same cop who told us to leave the scene before other cops surrounded the place. A cop who has put his own job on the line to protect us.”
    “A fucking cop!”
    “You’re a fucking traitor!”
    Solo ignored the shouts from some of his brothers and glanced at his friend. It was one thing for Rowdy to stick up for him to Switch, but to do it in front of the entire club was huge.
    “Since we’ve been working together, I’ve discovered there’s more to the cop than the badge. I’m not saying I’ve changed my attitude towards the police, but this one’s different. This one sees us for who we are and not just the colors we wear on our backs.” By the time Rowdy finished speaking his hands were fisted on the top of the table.
    “He’s still a cop!” Roach argued.
    “Yeah, he is,” Solo acknowledged. “He’s also the one who helped us prove that you didn’t have anything to do with poisoning that kid after fuckin’ Stevie Boy tried to point us in your direction.” He studied the room, making eye contact with each of his brothers. “I’ve risked my life for a lot of you in this room, and I will continue to have your backs, but I will not give up this man. Kill me, throw me out or accept that I would die for each and every one of you no matter who I love.”
    * * * *
    Eric opened his eyes to find Mr. Lee sitting beside his hospital bed. “Hey, Mr. Lee.”
    Mr. Lee set his newspaper aside. “How many times have I told you to call me Martin?”
    “Can’t do it,” Eric confessed. “And I believe I’ve told you that on several occasions.” The one lesson Eric learned from Mr. Lee was respect, and no matter what the older man said, Eric would always show him the respect he deserved.
    “The doctor was in a while ago. Said you’d be getting out tomorrow.”
    “Yeah.” Eric placed his palm on the bandage. “It was a pretty clean shot. Nicked my liver, and I lost some blood, but nothing life