Page 26 of West Bound

I scratch my brow at a loss for words since it seems there is no love lost there. I make a mental note to ask Bishop to fill in some blanks so I don’t go shoving my foot in my mouth every time I’m with them.

“So, Phoenix. Are you excited to be here?” Camille asks, breaking the thick tension that suddenly arose at the table.

“I am. If I didn’t end up in Louisiana, Houston was my next pick.”

An arm wraps tightly around my neck and tugs me close. “This fucker wouldn’t pass up a chance to be close to me,” Bishop says with a jovial smile.

“True. This asshole has been bugging me for years to find a way down here. The opportunity finally came up, and I was fucking done with New York, so I jumped.”

“I read about that. Pretty close to a record breaking deal, wasn’t it?” Vaughan asks right before a cold glass of beer is set in front of him by a lady who eyes him up and down.

He’s wearing Wranglers and a henley that hugs his body just enough to show off his muscles, making it easy for women to ogle. However, I don’t think that was his intention since he doesn’t even spare the girl a glance. He just picks up the glass and takes a drink.

Camille, on the other hand, is eyeing our waitress like she’s one breath away from beating the ever lovin’ shit out of her if she looks at him again. I’m sure Vaughan will be wearing the same look on his face the second some dude around here makes a double take at her. And they will.

“Hey guys,” calls a sweet voice from behind me.

Thinking it’s some cleat chaser who has found me, I stiffen at the sound. Turning slowly I see another stunning woman hugging Hayes then moving on to Bishop.

What is in the fucking water down here?

I swear to all that is holy that in the span of a day, I have seen four of the most beautiful women ever. And they all, somehow, are connected to this group of friends.

The sexy brunette makes her way to me and stops. I stand because there’s a lady at the table and that’s what my momma raised me to do, and notice she’s short but still not as small as Vivian. She has a unique amber color to her eyes and plump pink lips. She definitely looks like my type because you know..she’s a woman. But something tells me I need to stay far away from this one, too.

“You must be the infamous Phoenix West,” she purrs.

“Yes ma’am,” I drawl, my Louisiana bred accent seemingly making a reappearance at the mere sight of this woman.

“I’m Cathia Villalobos. You can call me Cat.” Her teeth snap at the T and she bites her lip.

“Nice to meet you, Cat. You joining us?” I ask her as she stands smiling.

“I am. But here’s the problem,” she pops up on her toes and I lean down so she can whisper in my ear. “You’re in my seat. So how’s about I sit in your lap? Face to face, preferably.”

Her fingernails skate down my arm and a tidal wave of chills runs over me. I’d like to say my dick doesn’t respond to her, but it’s been awhile since he’s seen something other than my hand.

“I, uh…I mean, if…um, sure. I guess. Or I can, you know, I can move. I-I…”

I am at a fucking loss for words. I look around the table for help since I know they know her, but each and every one of them, minus Vivian, stare at me with wide eyes and muffled smiles.

Finally, Cat breaks down in a fit of laughter. “I’m messing with you. Relax.”

Bishop stands and smacks my back. “Holy shit, you looked terrified.”

I shake my head and laugh a little. “I was nervous to say anything. You three basically just told me you kick the asses of any guy that fucks with your ‘girls’.”

“I’m sorry, Phoenix. I couldn’t resist. Bishop told us that one of us needed to take the lead on ‘initiating you into the crew’, and since Vivian peaced out the second she heard your name, and Vaughan would’ve worn your balls like a trophy after killing you for looking at Camille, I decided I’d better take it.”

I sit back down and Cat moves to sit in the empty chair next to Hayes, and everyone else returns to their drinks.

“What about CeCe? Are you excused from initiations?” I ask.

“No. I participate. But you never would’ve believed me since I just about hate your guts,” she tells me with an arched brow and flip of her hair.

“Ouch. Okay. Nice to know. I’ll be sure to stick to this end of the table.” I throw back a gulp of cold beer and it calms my nerves that were on shaky ground for a minute.

“I’m Cami’s sister, by the way,” Cat says. “I never had the chance to meet you before since I’m younger and these three bitches never let me tag along for Spring Break.”

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