Page 27 of Bound by Family
He has no idea that I grew up with the Sinister Sons. That thought makes me pause, because I kind of like it. I like that I don’t have my association with the Sinisters hanging over my head. I’ve been asked on plenty of dates, but I never get a second date because my brothers scare the piss out of them.
They always say, “Any man who takes my sister out had better be able to stand up to us and show his worth.”Cooper would. He wouldn’t back down from them. He’s that kind of man; I can feel it in my bones. From the way he was at the rally, making sure we were safe, I know he wouldn’t back down from anyone.
I swipe my thumb over the screen of my phone and go to the recent calls, scrolling down until I find a Georgia number. The same number that called me from the laundromat.
When people call me, they don’t realize they are getting my cell phone. They figure it’s a landline, but what’s the point? Unlimited minutes and all. Not only that, I really don’t get that many calls, and most of the time, they go to voicemail and I return their messages later.
My finger hovers over the number like a magnet, urging me to push it, so I click. A screen pops up with a phone and an envelope. I choose the envelope. Text messaging first. Why not?
I type,Hey, it’s me. Bristyl.Then delete it.
It’s Bristyl from the rally.
Delete.
I’m thinking of you.
Delete fast.
Fucking hell, what’s wrong with me? I feel like a damn teenager, afraid to talk to a boy for the first time. All my thoughts turn into a mangled mess of words.
I type,Hi.Then, before I chicken out, I press my thumb down, sending the message. My damn hands begin to sweat as I wonder if he will text me back or blow me off. He more than likely didn’t save my number in his phone, so he has no clue who it is.
I’m seriously losing it. I met the guy twice. Twice, and I’m acting like a damn fool.
A few moments later, I get a,Who is this?
I reply with shaky fingers,Bristyl
I wait for a response.
And wait.
And wait.
When it doesn’t come, I toss my phone on the table and click on the television. I guess that’s that. Can’t say part of me isn’t let down. It is. Expecting any differently than what I got, though, is on me.
Bye, Cooper.
CHAPTER TEN
COOPER
Five hours later, Bristyl’s name still stares back at me from my phone. And hell yeah, shocked doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling. I thought I called a business phone. Wrong.
Two weeks, and the woman still won’t get out of my head. It’s like she’s glued and has adhered herself to me in a strange way. Now here she is, contacting me.
Rubbing my hand over my face, I collapse on the bed. The clubhouse is calm tonight. I didn’t want to go home with Ryker, Green, and Jacks. We rent a house five minutes from the clubhouse, each having our own space. That doesn’t mean that they leave me alone. I needed some time to myself to digest this sudden turn of events.
It’s funny because, last week, I thought about taking a drive down to Florida after a long-haired blonde came to the club and Bristyl immediately came to mind. Instead, I took a ride, needing to clear my head. Something kept me close to home.
Looking at her name on my phone, my finger hoovers over her name. That connection I felt with her, was it the moment or something else?
My father’s words haunt me. He’s right. Damn.
I type:Hey, are you there?
The clock reads midnight, so the chances of her responding are slim, especially if she has to get up and work tomorrow.
