Page 10 of Finish Line
“Doesn’t look fine. You got a man I should be worried about?” I question.
“What? No!” She answers a little too quickly. Her phone buzzes in her hand, causing her to drop it. “Oh, shit.”
She leans down to pick it up, answering it this time. “Hey, Rusty. What’s up?”
Her eyes come to mine as she listens to whatever Rusty is saying.
“Yeah, I’m just finishing up with inventory and restocking the bar . . . mhmm . . . okay, I’ll be here. Bye!” She sets her phone on the bar. “Sorry about that.”
“Care to share what has you so spooked?” I hold her gaze, hoping it’ll convince her to talk. She tries to turn her face away from me, but I reach out with a gentle hand, bringing her face back to mine. Her phone buzzes against the bar and her eyes go wide. I grab it and answer it.
“Hello?” I use my MC president voice. That alone can intimidate people. “Who the fuck is this?”
The line goes dead. I look at the phone then at Athena, cocking an eyebrow at her.
“I think . . . I think it’s my ex,” she stutters. “But I don’t know how he would have gotten this number.”
“Is he thefatethat brought you here?” I ask.
“Something like that,” she mutters. “Things weren’t working out with him, so I ran.”
“If it is him and he becomes a problem, you call me.” I type my number into her phone and save it for her, then send a text to my phone so I have her number. “I don’t care what time it is, day or night. You got a problem? I’ll be there.”
“You don’t have to do that.” There’s a pain in her eyes.
“I know I don’t, but Iwantto,” I tell her.
“Thank you, Bull.” She gives me a genuine smile.
“Jase,” I say. “Call me Jase.”
“Okay,Jase.”
“I better get outta here. I know y’all are about to open and I don’t want to distract you.” I wink at her.
She rolls her eyes with a cheeky smile.
“I’ll see you again soon, Goddess.” I stand from the bar and walk out the door.
Chapter Eight
Bull
Once I’m at my bike, I glance back at the bar. I have half a mind to go back in there and take Athena with me. I need to spend more time with her. No one has ever drawn me in the way she does. Not since Cami.
I’m about to climb on my bike when a buzzing in my pocket stops me. I pull out my phone and the number for the prison flashes across the screen. Only one person could be callin’ me from there. Shadow.
I answer it, letting the automated message play and press the necessary buttons for the call to go through.
“Pops! I got some good news!” I haven’t heard him this cheerful in years.
“What’s up, son?” I ask.
“Five more fuckin’ days and I’m comin’ home.” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“That’s great news! It’s about damn time!” I laugh. “Be prepared for a welcome home party. You know the brothers will want to celebrate.”
“Hell yeah! I can’t wait to see everyone,” he says.
