Colton barely even looks at me when I make my way over to him and reach for a stack of plates. “Stop calling me that,” I complain. “I don’t like being called by my middle name and you know it.”
“Well it’s a lot classier than Avalon, babe.” He flashes me a stiff smile. “So around my clients I’ll call you Marie. Avalon just sounds awkward to introduce people to. It’s not a big deal, but this party is to me.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Come on.”
I grind my jaw in distaste and follow him outside and over to the large table, setting down the stack of plates as perfectly organized and in place as I can. I would argue with him more on this matter, but I honestly don’t have the energy today. I just want to get this party over with so I can go home, crawl in bed, and watch some quality TV by myself. I honestly probably should’ve just stayed in bed all day to begin with. Today has been hell.
It’s well into the party now and I have spent most of it hiding out by the food table, stuffing my face with any fried foods that I can find.
Colton has apparently already introduced me to all the clients that he plans to for the night, so I really don’t see why I’m still hanging around anyway. I’ve never seen so many stiff people in my life and it’s making me extremely anxious and uncomfortable.
“Babe.” I force a smile when Colton suddenly appears next to me, walking with a pretty brunette in a white, zip-front pencil skirt. “I want to introduce you to my new investment partner; the one I’ve been telling you about. Misty . . .” He points to the leggy bombshell beside him and then points to me. “This is my girlfriend Marie. She helped me set up the dinner for tonight.”
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.”