I reach out to shake her hand when she holds hers out, and then flash my friendliest smile. “Avalon,” I say with pride. “Marie is my middle name. Only Colton calls me that.”
Colton gives me a dirty look, but replaces it with a sincere smile when Misty glances his way and raises a brow.
“Well it’s very nice to meet you, Avalon. Colton here is the best partner I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with; very professional and always knows what he’s doing.” She releases my hand and looks me up and down, taking in my black skinny jeans and teal blouse. “You’re one lucky lady.”
She clears her throat and turns back to Colton with a small smile. “I should get back to my friends now. Thanks for having us. They’re having a wonderful time and the food is delicious.”
He places his hand on her shoulder and nods his head. “Thanks for coming and I look forward to hopefully having your friends as potential clients. I’ll be over to thank them personally.”
She nods her head, smiles, and then walks away.
Colton is in Real Estate. He’s very good at what he does. I don’t disagree with her there, but I still don’t like her much. She’s definitely a lot different than what I pictured and hoped in my mind that she would look like. He never once mentioned that she looked like she just walked out of a damn fashion magazine.
“You look bored,” Colton says disapprovingly, as I rub my forehead and yawn. “Could you try to look a little happier to be here? Please. I’ve worked hard for this.”
I reach for the glass of beer that I set down when I started stuffing my face. I’ve been hiding and drinking them all night. “Sorry, but it’s hard to pretend that I’m having fun when I’m not. I’ve been standing in a corner by myself for most of the party. How excited should I pretend to be?” I take a swig of my beer and Colton’s eyes widen when he gets a whiff.
“Are you drinking beer?” He reaches for my glass and looks into it. “That’s what the wine is for. I’m trying to have a classy dinner, babe. These are my clients and hopefully potential clients that I’m entertaining; not a frat party with strippers.”
My heart speeds up with sudden anger. “Oh really. Sorry that my drink of choice isn’t good enough for your clientele.” I release an exasperated breath and get ready to give him a piece of my mind. He always has a good way of making people feel shitty and I’m beginning to really see it.
I open my mouth and get ready to speak again, but stop when the sound of motorcycles have us all looking toward the driveway in curiosity. They’re loud and powerful, causing people to watch in confusion as both men climb off of their bikes and kill the engines.
“Fucking shit. Not now,” Colton grinds out, gripping his hair. “What the hell is he doing here?”
My eyes widen and my mouth drops open when the guy on the first motorcycle pulls his helmet off and sets it on his bike, looking directly at me.
Those eyes. I would recognize that set of eyes anywhere. His long hair is now pulled into a bun, his tattoos covered by a leather jacket, but there’s no question that it’s him. Those insanely beautiful eyes give him away. My heart pounds when I remember the look in his eyes last night when I barged into his room, unwanted.
“Who?” I question in a daze.
“My brother Royal.”
My eyes widen. “Since when have you had a brother?”
“Twenty-five damn years; too long if you ask me. And he’s my half-brother. There is a difference.”
Before I can say anything and complain about not knowing this little detail, he stalks over to the driveway and grabs Royal’s arm, pulling him closer to the front of the house and out of view.
People start whispering, talking shit about how ‘dangerous’ the two men look, but I ignore them all. Who the hell are they to judge? Stuck up assholes. Now, I really want to get out of here and away from this party.
I slam my empty beer cup down and take off in the direction of our uninvited guests. I’m both curious as to why Royal is here and why the hell Colton never told me he had a brother to begin with.
Colton turns to me and scrunches his forehead in annoyance when I approach him, Royal, and Jax in the driveway. I hadn’t even known it was Jax until now. He surprisingly smiles at me and lifts an eyebrow, before setting his helmet down as if he didn’t just have to kick me out of his house last night. “Stay with the party please. Tell them that I’m taking care of something and I’ll be right back. It will only take a minute. Just let me get rid of them.”
Jax and Royal both watch me as I brush my hair behind my ear and growl under my breath.
I swear my heart stops. It’s as if I’ve just walked into tattooed, bearded, man-bun heaven, and I’m hoping there isn’t an exit. I can’t help but to watch them watch me.
“Basement girl,” Jax says with a smirk, not hiding the fact that he’s surprised to see me here. “Sorry about the party. Next time, babe.”
Royal looks me up and down, but doesn’t say a word. His eyes cause shivers to run up my spine, chilling me to the bone.
“Oh great,” Colton complains. “It was their party you were at last night? Big surprise.”
I tilt my head and turn to face Colton. He’s really testing me today and I’m not beyond making a fool of myself in front of all of his fancy guests. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean, Colton?”
“Nothing,” Colton snaps, regretfully. “I didn’t mean it. This is just a big fucking deal for me, and these assholes showing up with their tattoos and motorcycles aren’t making me look good. To my guests they are viewed as uncivilized troublemakers. Royal has a bad image and reputation, and I don’t want that brought here.”
“So you need someone else making you look good?” I question, now completely pissed off by his disrespect. “I hardly think them showing up is going to ruin your chances with potential clients. They haven’t done anything disrespectful. What is your deal? I can’t stand it when you’re like this, which is happening more and more frequently.”
Royal smirks and leans against his bike, pulling out a cigarette. He seems pleased with my response. “Calm down big brother. No need to piss your fucking fancy slacks.” He lights his cigarette and takes a long drag from it, slowly blowing the smoke back out. “I just came to tell you that Riley fucking died yesterday. Thought you might want to know. Didn’t come to crash your little wine party.”
Colton throws his arms up and shakes his head, as if he’s just ready to get back to his guests. “Yeah, well I’m not surprised. That’s what happens when you live his lifestyle, and I won’t be surprised if you end up like him soon.”
Pissed off and looking as if he’s about to lose it, Royal tosses his cigarette down and steps up to Colton, getting in his face. “You’ve known Riley since you were in fucking diapers and that’s the kind of disrespect you show?” His jaw tightens as he wraps his tatted up fingers around Colton’s neck and squeezes.
“You’re a real piece of shit, brother.” He shoves him back, causing Colton to gasp and lose his balance.
I’ve known Colton to be a dick, but this is on a whole new level. I can’t even look at him right now without being disgusted. I feel like choking him my damn self, so I don’t blame Royal or feel pity for Colton one bit. Someone he knows just died and he shows no emotion, nothing at all. All he cares about is his stupid perfect life. “Colton, you’re an asshole. This is unbelievable. Un-fucking believable. I’m out.”
“Just great,” Colton yells out, running a hand through his perfectly styled, blonde hair, and rubbing his pink neck. He backs away from Royal and grunts, while looking over at me. “Why don’t you just leave with my brother here then? Go ahead.” He crosses his arms and watches me, testing me. “There’s plenty of room on the back of his bike.”
“Fine.” Clearly not thinking straight, I walk over to Royal’s bike and stop, swallowing hard as I look him in the face. Royal instantly grabs for his helmet and places it on my head, looking me in the eyes the whole damn time. He’s good with those damn things; too good. I pull my eyes away from his, clear my throat, and turn to Colton. “Enjoy your little party. I know you’ll show them more respect than you’ve clearly just shown your own damn brother. The one that I never even knew you had, by the way.”