Page 25 of Colt

Abi grabbed my phone and jabbed a finger to it, cutting the call. “You do nothing.”

“Jesus, Abi,” I exclaimed. “Why did you do that?”

She cocked an eyebrow, an evil grin spreading over her face. “Because it’s time to pull away. The blond god knows you’re interested, and you’ve shown him you’ve got the goods. Now, we make him chase you. The first rule of psychology is, if you take something away from somebody, they’ll want it even more.”

My ringtone pealed again.

Abi glanced at the display before holding it out for me. “Big Daddy.”

I winced. Not the person I wanted to chit-chat with. Still, I clicked the green icon and put the phone on speaker. “Hi, Pop. You okay?”

“Freya!” My dad barked. “I’m good. You seen Colt?”

An uneasy feeling pinged in my stomach. “I’m great, thanks, Dad. So good of you to ask.”

Silence fell for a moment. “Sorry, sweetheart,” Dad rumbled. “You doin’ okay? How’s your packing going?”

“Good,” I replied carefully. “Why are you asking me about Colt?”

“He’s not answerin’ his phone,” Dad muttered absentmindedly. “Gotta say, I don’t like him not bein’ around. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the asshole. Your brothers are doin’ my nut in, and Atlas won’t leave the doc alone now her pregnancy’s showin’. Kennedy’s got too much lip, and Kit won’t put her in her place. He’s so goddamned whipped. I need to talk to Colt. He’s the only one I don’t wanna punch except for Kai, Kady, and Sunshine.”

I laughed softly. “Says something that you get on better with the kids than the brothers.”

“Yeah, Frey. It says the brothers are goddamned fucknuts.” He heaved out a frustrated breath. “Colt said yesterday he saw you. Did he mention what he was doing today?”

“No,” I said, purposely keeping my voice breezy. “Colt doesn’t discuss club business with me.”

Dad paused again, asking, “Do you think he’s gotta girl down there?”

My stomach dragged. “Why do you ask that?”

I dunno,” Dad muttered. “It's not like him to leave me hanging. Maybe he’s with a woman and doesn’t wanna answer the phone.”

Looking to the heavens for help, I blurted, “Isn’t he seeing Lucy?”

“Yeah, but no,” Pop muttered thoughtfully. “That’s not goin’ anywhere. It’s been months, and it’s still casual. She’s doin’ shit to piss him off now too, so I can’t see it lasting much longer.”

I tamped down my excitement and tried to stay cool. “I don’t know, Dad. I’m not there enough to know what goes on.”

“Yeah. I know.” His tone lowered. “How’s Denver? Have you met anyone yet?”

“I meet people all the time,” I said softly. “But I haven’t met anyone special.”Except for your computer whiz kid.

“You’re young and beautiful, Freya,” he told me. “There must be doctors at your hospital. It’s fuckin’ crazy how nobody’s locked you down. You should’ve stuck with Sully. He treated you well. I liked him, thought he’d make a good husband.”

I made a gagging face. The last man I’d end up with was someone John Stone approved of. “I’m working long hours, Dad, and I’m hardly ever in Wyoming. It wasn’t fair on Sully to carry things on. He’s a nice guy and deserves a woman who’s present.”

“He’s seein’ a nurse now,” Dad said, almost accusingly. “You missed your chance.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m happy for him. He deserves to meet a nice girl.”

“Could’ve been you,” Dad muttered.

“No, Dad,” I said quietly. “It couldn’t. When I meet the right person, I’ll know. Until then, please stop trying to force men on me who you think I should go out with. How would you like it if I paraded women in front of you and expected you to date them?”

“I just want a better life for you, Freya,” he said, his tone low. “Never want you to worry about bein’ snatched or hurt. I want you away from all this bullshit.”

“I get it, Dad, but I’m in the life already. If I get snatched, it’s nobody’s fault but the people who take me. You can’t control everything; nobody can. What’s so bad about falling for a biker anyway? You don’t think any less of Cara or Sophie for being ol’ ladies. The Speed Demons are good men who idolize their women. Whywouldn’tyou want that for me? I could marry a politician who’d cheat or abuse me. At least a brother would have respect.”

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