Page 20 of Barker

I’d spent five days away from Annistyn and Los Angeles trying to get my shit together, and to be honest, it was five days too many. It’s odd how someone can come into your life and without you even realizing, they’ve somehow become important, part of your daily routine. I didn’t realize how important Annistyn had become to me until I was away from her.

As I pulled back into my part of Los Angeles, I slowed down to take in my surroundings. This was home and it was damn good to be back. I made my way through the streets back to the place I called home. Once I showered and got dressed, I went out to my Camaro, as much as I loved my bike, I just spent five days on it… I needed a break. I called Drake and Zayde on my way over to Wilder’s.

By the time I pulled along the curb of Wilder’s house that he shared with Bryar, the rest of the Sons of Sin were there. I got out and made my way over to them. We hugged and slapped each other on the backs. “Sure is good to have you home,” Drake said, as he squeezed my shoulder.

I nod. “It’s good to be back. Thank you for covering my shifts at the bar while I was gone. I just needed to clear my head.”

“We’ve all been there man, but you’re good now?” Wilder asks as he raises his eyebrows in question. I just nod in response.

“You know what my pops used to say, ain’t nothing the open road and a bike can’t heal,” Zayde added. We all smiled at that because that was his life motto and he wasn’t wrong. Zayde’s father was a lot of things, and a good man wasn’t one of them, but that saying was.

The screen door opens and Bryar pops her head out the door. “Y’all want some sweet tea?” We all look at each other because there’s one thing you don’t turn down and it’s Bryar’s sweet tea.

I leave Wilder’s house and head to Sinner’s Den. Since I’d cut out without notice, they’d picked up my slack around the bar, so it was my turn to pick it up. As I headed inside, Talon looked up from the stool he was sitting on. “You’re back,” he comments.

“Yep, I was running from a ghost that doesn’t matter anymore, so it was time to get home and deal with the present and a certain sarcastic, independent girl.”

Talon gives me a curious look. “Annistyn?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah, look I know she’s like family to you, so if you aren’t okay with this just let me know.”

Talon stands up and for a moment I’m worried he’s going to hit me. He’s not an overly large guy but something tells me he would try to take me to protect her. His dark eyes watch me, weighing his options before saying, “Don’t hurt her.”

“I would never want to,” I tell him and I mean it.

He nods before extending his hand out to me which I accept, and we shake on it. “Take care of her. She deserves the best.”

“I completely agree,” I tell him.

Talon turns around and starts to get ready for the rush that will hit soon. “By the way, she’ll be here tonight,” he tells me, as he walks away.

That’s not right. She wasn’t scheduled to work when I left. “Why is she working?”

Talon turns around and smirks. “I never said she was working. She’s coming in to celebrate Vienna’s birthday so be prepared. Those two together are the definition of a handful.” His head falls back in laughter as he walks away towards the other end of the bar.

Nineteen

Barker

Foolishly, when Talon had told me to be prepared for Annistyn, I thought he was kidding. Then she walked through the door and everything in my body reacted. My eyes became glued to her and everyone knew it. I was barely paying attention to the customers ordering at the bar. I watched her as she took a seat at the table with Vienna and some other girls. She looks too good to be legal. A sweat breaks out across the back of my neck. Sinner’s Den suddenly feels too hot to even breathe. I’m constantly pulling my shirt away from my chest and attempting to fan myself.

Annistyn hasn’t looked my way, she broke eye contact earlier and it’s driving me insane. I just need to know she still wants me. Talon comes over and gives me a strange look. “What?” I bite out.

“The table of preps over there want to order a round for the girls,” he says.

I raise my eyebrows. “The girls?” Talon just nods. “Fine,” I say through clenched teeth. I start to make the drinks, slamming things down too hard. What the hell is wrong with me?

“You okay?” Carl asks as he pokes his head around the door that leads to the kitchen. I look up and glare at him. “Jealous much?” he asks, with a chuckle as he ducks back into the kitchen. I’m tempted to chunk the glass tumbler in my hand at his head.

Once I get the drinks fixed, I grab a tray and take them around the counter. Talon gives me a funny look. “I’m delivering them.”

“I caught that,” Talon replies. Laughter follows me as I march my way towards the girls’ table.

I’ll be damned if Annistyn is going to sit just feet away from me looking better than any other girl I’ve ever seen before in my life and ignore me. Especially, with how we left things. She was pissed last time and I didn’t fight for her, but I’m fighting now and she’s not getting away so easily.

I step up to the table and the girls fall silent. I’m standing next to Annistyn, but she purposefully ignores my presence and it drives me wild. “We didn’t order those,” Vienna says sweetly, while giving Annistyn an evil eye.

“Those guys over there did,” I tell them, with a nod of my head in the direction of the table where the group of preppy-looking guys sit.

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