You sit down to a breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, toast, OJ and a really thick milkshake. You can't imagine eating this much food but your grumbling belly tells you that you're gonna give it a try.
Grizz, with a plate piled with food twice as high as your own grins and says, "Dig in Gus. The shake is courtesy of your ol' man and has your vitamin, protein and hormone supplements in it, so I expect you to finish it all."
You're voice cracks a little as you ask, "Did my dad say why he was doin' this to me?"
Around a mouthful of bacon and sausage Grizz replies, "Yeah and I'll give it to ya straight. He said your mom treats you like some prissy fag and he wants you to grow up to be a man, not a 'metrosexual'... what ever the fuck that is: anyway he said he considered sending you to military school, but thought you'd just turn out to be some fuckin' officer prick like most rich kids that go that route. In fact, he told your mom you're at school in Europe being 'immersed' in the culture. Well, you're bein' immersed in culture alright!"
Grizz laughs and so do the others. Grizz takes a swig of his beer and continues.
"He thinks you need to be more down to earth, like us. He says he knows if you grow up with ordinary men, not in some fuckin' ivory tower, that you'll understand and have some sympathy for regular guys. He says you need the snotty brat kicked out of you." At that Bull grunts and Pops chuckles.
You give Grizz a very worried look as you think about what he kicked out of Damon and Grizz lightly punches you in the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Gus, I don't beat on women and children or family."
Grizz gives you a smile and continues, "He wants you to have some street smarts, muscle and the ability to defend yourself. He wants to know that if ever you get in a situation where your rich little ass is alone, you can take care of yourself. He wants you to be a resourceful little bad ass. That's why we 'adopted' you, so that you'd always have someone to turn to. If you become a brother, you'll always have someone to turn to. Sometimes it's even too rough for a bad ass, but as long as there's bros on the road, you'll have family. He said you'd probably hate him for it now, but really appreciate it later."
"I don't hate him... I'm just mad is all." You say.
"Yeah, I can imagine. You like things straight up don't cha?" Grizz asks and you nod.
"Well, you're ol' man ain't as straight up as we are, but I think he really has your best interests at heart. He's payin' for your tuition here at the school of hard knocks ain't he?" You nod again.
"Now drink your shake. Boys who get early doses of testosterone get big dicks"
You blush and Pops and his boys laugh uproariously.
"He said you'd probably not hate him for that." Grizz says as he stuffs a fork full of eggs in his mouth.
You drink your shake first, now that you know what kind of side effects it's going to have on you and the men laugh at your eagerness.
Pops pats you on the back and says, "Easy there son, you'll choke."
After breakfast you all go to the living room to let your meal settle and to talk. When ready, Pops and Grizz take you down to the basement. There's a full set of weights and a wrestling pad area with wall padding that Grizz explains is the sparring area. You'll be taught street fighting here in a fairly safe environment, but that will come later. There are some young men just a little older than you who you'll spar with under the watchful eyes of Grizz and Wolf.
Grizz puts you through some stretch and warm up routines and then you begin lifting weights with Grizz as your spotter. Pops gives Grizz a hard time as you train just because he can. Grizz is respectful of his daddy, but he gives as good as he gets. You can tell that verbal sparring is also part of the training as they insult each other and occasionally laugh when a 'good one' is landed.
It's not cushy here in this den of bad boys, but you have more comforts than you had with Damon and these guys have a more family attitude to them. You sense the brotherhood and find you really want to please Grizz; and Pops especially. No, it's not cushy, but you figure cushy is exactly what your father doesn't want you to have.
You contemplate, as you push yourself harder than you would for Damon, that the old saying is true: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You want to do this not only for yourself, but for these men who are treating you well and fairly; like you're a man.
At the end of your work out, you're pumped and tired, but the beaming smile on Grizz and Pop's face fills you with pride; something you've never really felt before. They know you've pushed yourself beyond your limits and that earned you some respect with them.
"Come on Gus, time to teach you some self defense basics." Pops says.
"Are you gonna teach me that?" You look over at Grizz, thinking that perhaps he should be the one and Grizz gives you a warning frown.
"Fuck yeah! Hell, I taught my boys when they were your age." Pops says, a bit indignantly. "I figure even an ol' fucker like me can still teach a sprout like you a few things. Grizz here is gonna teach you after you learn the basics with me. I admit that I'm gettin' too old and too slow for the advanced stuff."
"I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect." You say.
"I know ya didn't. If you had I woulda whupped your ass just to show ya I ain't a weak ol' man. Now, let’s pad up. Usually pads are for pussies, but when you're a kid learning it's only smart, especially when you're facin' a huge ol' bear like me."
You pad up and begin your training.