Chapter Six
Brynn
It feels like months have passed since he left, but it’s only been a few weeks. I don’t know if I hate him or what right now. He left without a real reason other than him not wanting to hurt me or ruin me, whatever that means. If anything, he hurt me more after he slept with me in the stupid club.
The day after he left, I overheard the guys talking about something that happened in Seattle, but I didn’t get more than he got shot. I tried to text him, but he never responded, so I gave up trying. I just wanted to make sure that he was okay and he wouldn’t even give me that.
Instead of trying to figure him the hell out, I decided that it was best for me just to move on. I mean, what is the worst that can happen? Maybe I fall in love with someone other than Bentley Davoli. I’m sure at least they would want me.
Sitting at my desk, I start to work on the few work orders that Brantley and Jase filled out when the door to the office opens. The man that walks into the tiny office is handsome, like wow. His dark hair is short at the bottom and longer on the top, styled in a messy way. He’s got tattoos up and down both of his arms and God when he grins I can’t even describe it.
“Hi. I called about bringing my bike in.” I nod my head, trying to find some words, but I’ve got nothing. He just grins at me and comes closer to my desk. “I’m Aaron.”
“Hi,” I finally stutter the word out. “I’m Brynn.” He gives me a bright grin, and I swear I melt right in the chair I am currently occupying.
The door to the shop opens, and I hear someone come in, but I’m too busy staring at the hot man standing in front of me.
“Hey, I’m Brant,” the voice says from behind me.
My mind finally kicks into gear, and I get my shit together. “Brant, this is Aaron. He wanted to get some work done on his bike.” I give Aaron a stupid grin, and a hand goes on my shoulder almost as if in warning.
“Nice to meet you,” Aaron says reaching a hand toward Brant.
“Yeah. Let’s check out your bike, and we can talk about what you want to be done.” Aaron nods his head, giving me one more smile before walking out of the office.
I watch Brantley walk toward the door, but before he walks through it, he pauses. “I know it isn’t really my place to say this, but my brother-in-law is an idiot. I saw the way he watched you. He wants you, whether he wants to admit it or not.” I try to swallow around the lump that is now lodged in my throat, but I can’t even acknowledge him. He turns and walks out without saying another word.
It takes a good twenty minutes before Brantley comes back with Aaron. They both take a seat at the desk across from me and start to fill out some paperwork. I listen in on their conversation even though I have no idea what they are talking about. They start talking about some bike parts, and the words just go over my head.
Checking my Facebook page on my phone, I scroll through a few new notifications and see a picture of my sister all over some guy with tattoos. He’s got his hand on one of her tits, and she’s got that drunken smile on her face. I swear she needs to tone it down before something happens to her.
I continue scrolling until I see a photo that Anslie is tagged in. It’s a picture of a cute pregnant redhead, a guy with his arm around her, and Bentley. I feel my heart drop into the pit of my stomach as I stare at him. He looks good, almost too good, and I wish like hell he was back here instead of wherever this photo was taken.
The caption says We wish you, Brant, and the kids were here too! Xoxo love you Ans!
I vaguely hear my name being called and when Brant tosses the papers on my desk, I finally look up from the photo of Bentley. “Sorry.” My cheeks heat as I look up to see them both staring at me.
“Can you ring Aaron up?” he asks, before turning back to Aaron. “I am finishing up on a project, but can fit you in right after I’m done. Probably start tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning.”
“That would be great. I can’t wait to see what you come up with,” Aaron says with a grin. I type the paperwork up and give him the total. He hands me a credit card, and I slide it through the machine as they start to talk again.
Before I can hand him back his card, the door to the office opens, and the twins come running in. “Daddy!” they both squeal as they wrap their arms around his legs. He picks them both up and finishes his conversation as I hand him back his card.
“Cute kids,” Aaron says looking between the two of us. My eyebrows pinch together for a second, not sure I get his meaning before Anslie walks in with Braxton. Aaron’s eyes go to her with the baby on her hip and then back to Brantley.
“Hi,” Anslie says cheerily like she normally does. She walks over to Brant and kisses him before sitting in the chair next to me.
“Hi,” Aaron says with a strange look on his face. He probably thinks we are crazy or something. I can see it written all over his face.
Brantley sets the boys down, and they both come over to me and ask for a piece of candy. I look to Anslie, and she nods her head before turning her attention back to Aaron. “So are you getting work done on your bike?” she asks.
One thing Anslie isn’t is shy. She seriously will talk to anyone.
“Yeah, Brant here said he could fit it in this week.” She nods her head before beaming up at him.
“That’s awesome. This shop is the best in the area, and my fiancé and brothers are amazing at fixing up bikes.” She winks at Brant, and he just shakes his head at her.
“What are you doing here, doll?” he asks as he wipes his hands on a towel he pulled from his pocket.
“I came to talk to you, ol’ fiancée of mine.” She grins at him, and he gives her a questioning look.
Aaron looks between the three of us before he says that he’ll wait for Brant’s call when he’s done and walks out of the office before Anslie can tell Brantley what she is really here for.
“Why am I just now finding out that my brother got shot?!” she all but demands once the office door shuts. The twins look at her before their daddy. He winces, and I know whatever this is about, has to do with Bentley. As much as I want to know what happened to him too, I’m afraid of the truth.
“As soon as he showed up at Gunner’s someone opened fire on Gun’s place. Bent and Casey were the only ones there.” Her face pales, and she stands back up.
“Casey, is she okay?” He nods his head but doesn’t say anything. “Brant, what happened?” Her voice is lower, and she sounds worried now.
“Yeah, Case is fine. Bentley took a bullet, but he’s fine. He lost some blood, and he rested up. Gun and Johnny are dealing with what happened.”
“He saved Case and the baby?” she asks.
“Yeah, doll, everyone is good.” He leans towards her almost like it’s second nature and presses his lips to her forehead. “Don’t worry. They got shit handled.”
She nods before looking over at the boys who are currently messing up the paperwork on my desk. Grabbing both of their hands, she gives me an apologetic look before telling them not to mess up the papers. After a few minutes of somewhat silence, Cason Davoli comes into the small office.
As soon as the twins see their grandpa, they both go darting towards him. Anslie told me a little about what happened between her and Brantley. She told me about how pissed her dad was when he found out that she had Brantley’s kids without telling a soul, but that it didn’t take long for her father to be wrapped around their little fingers.
“Brant, I need you to head to Seattle.” His voice booms through the room as he picks the twins up and looks over at Brantley.
Brant nods his head, not arguing with his president. I’m still learning all the lingo and stuff, but I do understand that when Cason gives you an order, you do it without questioning it. Same goes for Nick Insico, Brantley’s father.
After a few minutes of them talking about Seattle, they all leave the office, and Anslie says something about heading home to call Casey.
Instead of being nosy and hoping that she mentions Bentley again, I just go back to entering the receipts and hours for the job that I was working on.
By the time lunch rolls around, I am starving and in need of some caffeine. I swear the sounds that come from the bike shop can give me such a dang headache when I don’t have any sugar or caffeine. Grabbing my bag, I find my keys and walk out of the office. As I’m locking the door, a voice comes from behind me.
“Hey.” His voice is soft but deep.
I turn and come face to face with Aaron. I put my hand over my heart as I jump and fall back against the door. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” His voice is like freaking heaven, and as I stare at him, I can’t help but melt a little.
He is way too hot for his own good. “It’s fine. Did you need something? I was just heading out for my lunch break.” My eyes scan him over again, and I don’t think it’s possible that his jeans look tighter than twenty minutes ago.
“I forgot to leave Brantley this.” He hands me the key to his bike, and I just continue to stare at him.
Taking his key from him, I nod my head slowly, not saying a word. It’s almost like I’ve turned mute or something. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me forget how to speak, but it is clearly happening right this moment.
His grin slowly makes me stupider, and the slamming of a door behind me breaks my lust filled gaze. “Okay, I‘ll be sure to give it to him,” I finally choke out.
“Thank you.” His voice drops an octave and holy fuck it’s a beautiful sound.
“No problem.” My own voice gets a little breathy, and I can’t help it. He seriously makes my mind mush in the weirdest way.
“You said you were heading to lunch.” I nod, not trusting myself to say anything else. “Can I take you to lunch instead?”
Holy shit.
No other thoughts come to mind as I continue to stare at him in the most awkward way.
“Uh, yeah sure,” I finally say after a few moments of silence. My brain seriously needs to catch up if I am going to make it through lunch with him.
He motions toward a newer gray truck with a tow behind trailer that he must have had his bike on before he dropped it off here. I follow him and question my sanity. I mean, just a few weeks ago, I had Bentley coming inside of me before leaving like the hounds of hell were chasing him and now? Now, I am contemplating how soon is too soon to jump this man that just asked me to lunch.