Page 23 of Only The Strong

The boys do that guy nod thing and Callum places his hand on my lower back to lead me to the door that opens into the store part of the shooting range. He leads me straight to the front door and out to his bike. “That was Eli, he’s best friends with my ex. They work together in the IT department for the college.” I fumble with my hands, standing on the opposite side of the bike looking up at Callum as he watches me.

Callum smiles and shakes his head. “You don’t owe me an explanation, babe.”

I let out a sigh. He's right, I don't owe him anything, but I still didn't want him to get the wrong impression of Eli. Although he's always been charming and he is handsome, it was never like that between us and it never would be; he’s Noah’s best friend and I never saw him as anything other than that. “I know. I just…” I stop flustered. “Whatever. Are you stealing that?” I point to the gun case still in his hand.

Callum laughs and unlocks the box on the side of his bike. “No. I bought it for you. I told the guy working to charge my card for whichever one you picked.” He puts the case into the box and closes the lid. “You don’t have to carry it until you’re ready and have more practice, but I want you to start getting comfortable with it.”

I stand there stunned. “You didn't have to do that. “ I start.

“I know, but you looked sexy as hell shooting it.” Callum smirks and swings his leg over the bike.

21

REESE

A few minuteslater we’re cruising down the streets on Callum’s bike. The wind breezing past us and the sun warming our bodies. The air is fresh and I love the feeling of the wind on my face.I feel so safe on the back of the bike with Callum’s big frame breaking all of the wind in front of me. He looks like he belongs on the bike, he handles it with such confidence and power. It’s strange how close we've grown in the few weeks we’ve known each other, sitting here with his hand resting on my knee and my hand resting on his side feels so normal. I can feel myself slipping into normalcy with him. I know my feelings for him are growing deeper than just friendship, I’m still fighting it, but with every joke and promise, he’s making his way further and further into my heart. I need some time to myself to get a grip on this and some time away from him to get these feelings under control. We stop at a red light and I hear the roar of another motorcycle behind us, turning around I see another bike barreling towards us. They stop next to us and I recognize Finn’s huge grin under his dark sunglasses, a beautiful blonde is behind him. I couldn't see her when they were behind us because Finn is so huge he completely eclipses her. She smiles while Finn reaches over and pokes Callum’s butt between my legs. “What is up with him and your ass?” I lean forward and say into Callum’s ear.

He leans back and turns his head to speak into my ear. “He wasn’t joking about sharing me.” I look at him with wide eyes, completely stunned, and he laughs so hard he doubles over, clearly joking. I glare at him from behind my giant sunglasses and he and Finn fist bump before taking off once the light turns green. The rest of the ride is Finn trying to get Callum to race with him, and Callum thankfully declines every time. We’re heading out of town, and I can admit I have no idea where we’re going. The Douglas-fir trees are getting thicker the further we travel away from town, but briefly, there is a clearing in the trees with a beautiful view of the mountains. I stare at it as we pass and try to commit it to memory, no matter how many times I see the mountains I never get tired of them.

We pull into a small parking lot in front of a small wooden building with a giant deck wrapping around the place. We get off of the bikes and Finn and Callum do the manly bro hug thing and Callum hugs the blonde briefly, much more gentle than he is with Finn. As we’re walking up the steps of the deck and heading straight to the back Finn turns around “You ever been to Whiskey Springs, Reese?”

“I can’t say I have.” I look around, taking in the small bar. There are wooden high-top tables all over the deck, most are empty. It’s right up against a mountain so the back has stairs leading to grass and about 100 feet away is a small stream and then the steep climb of the mountain. There are massive Evergreens and Douglas firs surrounding the small building, blocking out the sun. This place is beautiful, I can't believe I never knew it existed.

“You’re in for a real treat then.” Finn smiles devilishly, pulling out a seat for the blonde.

She smirks. “It’s not that great, but they do have good margaritas. I’m Huntley, Finn obviously forgot his damn manners.” Huntley holds out her hand to me with a huge smile.

We shake hands. “I’m Reese.” Huntley is stunning; tall, thin, waist length light blonde hair. Her legs look endless in her little jean shorts, her white racerback tank is knotted a little above her belly button, showing off a toned stomach. She tied a flannel around her waist and topped it all off with white converse. She’s not a sweet type of beauty, hers is dangerous and has venom; she’s so beautiful it makes her intimidating. Callum pushes my barstool in for me after I take a seat across from Huntley.

“Hey better not let Nathan hear you rag on his place.” Finn leans back in his seat, manspreading to the extreme, although I guess when you’re that big it's not really all that extreme.

“And what's he gonna do?” Huntley cocks her perfectly arched brow.

“Not a goddamn thing to my girl.” Finn leans in and kisses Huntley hard, when they part her laugh is just as beautiful as she is. I glance at Callum and he's watching the exchange, smiling like the cat that got the canary.

Finn notices too. “Shut up, brother.” He rests his arm behind Huntley and stares at Callum.

“I’m just happy for you, brother.” Callum places his hand on my bare thigh under the table. Finn waves him off and our waitress comes over at that time and ends all conversation.

After a few drinks and lots of laughs, Callum finally asks the question I’ve had since this morning. “So why did Reese need to meet Huntley? So they could hang out at club functions?” Callum takes a drink of his beer and I rub my cheeks because they’re sore from laughing and smiling.

Finn rakes his fingers through his hair and Huntley shifts in her seat uncomfortably. “I thought she could help Reese with her stalker problem.”

“How?” Callum’s hand flinches on my thigh, then starts to rub reassuring circles.

Finn blows out a breath and looks down at Huntley. She lays her hand over his on the table, her hand so delicate next to his big tattooed one, and squeezes it. “I can do it, babe. It’s okay.” He nods and leans over to kiss her on the cheek.

“You can stay and hear this, brother, but I’m gonna go wait at the bar, or else I'm gonna slit the motherfuckers throat.” Finn stands, but before he can walk away Huntley grabs his hand.

"In due time." I think she whispers, but it was so low that I'm not sure. He grabs the back of her neck and cradles her head while he kisses her one more time before stalking away. Both Callum and I watch him go. Huntley clears her throat and we both focus our attention back on her. She squares her shoulders and she looks like the badass beauty she did before we mentioned the reason for the meeting. “Finn told me about your stalker, Reese, and I offered to teach you some self defense. I don’t like it when men terrify women for amusement.” She rests her arms on the table. “I was assaulted at a frat party almost a year ago, drugged so I couldn't defend myself.”

“Holy shit.” Callum breathes, looking down at his beer and shaking his head.

Huntley folds her hands together on the table and shakes her head. “The details don't matter, what matters is that I learned how to fight back and I want to teach you. I’m trained in Mixed Martial Arts, and I teach a self defense class at the university gym once a semester. I don’t want you to be afraid anymore, not of that sad piece of shit.”

I grab her hand on the table, this girl doesn't even know me and she wants to help me; she understands what it’s like to be afraid of shadows and not know how to protect yourself. “Thank you. I would really love that.” She smiles and nods, squeezing my hand.

“I would really love that too.” Callum’s hand leaves my thigh and rests on the middle of my back. “I’m gonna go check on the big fucker, make sure he’s taking his anger out on a drink and not a person.” He stands and pats Huntley on the shoulder. Huntley laughs and sits back in her chair.

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