10. Cat #2
Easton Smiles. "Yep."
"Why?"
"Cause that's our thing. We give each other shit. It will drive her crazy until I answer her call tomorrow."
"Why is she so interested in me? I'm sure she hears about all the women you've dated. So this can't be anything new to her."
Easton climbs off the bed and prowls toward me.
My breath hitches when he snags me around the waist, and I brace my palms against his chest. "First, my sister is most definitely interested, because I don't date.
I haven't since high school. Have I had women?
Yes. But that's not a subject I talk to Emerson about. "
"Oh," is all I say.
"Until you. And I may have mentioned us to her the other night."
"Oh," I repeat myself as Easton dips his face down close to mine, his smell invading my senses.
"Are you starting to get that what we have here is serious? That you are mine?"
Licking my lips, I peer up at Easton's handsome face. "I…I think I'm starting to get it."
"Good," he says before closing the distance between us, taking my mouth in a searing kiss.
Three days after mine and Easton's fair date, I'm standing in the kitchen making fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner when my grandfather comes walking in from outside.
"Smells good, baby girl."
"Thanks, Daideò. Dinner will be ready in about an hour. Have you seen Easton?"
"He's helping Steve round-up Hank. The bastard got out again."
I let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know what I'm going to do about him. At this point, I'm convinced a ten-foot concrete wall couldn't keep him contained."
Daideò chuckles. "You might be right." Moving around the kitchen, he goes about fixing himself a glass of cold sweet tea then sits down at the table. "You got a minute for an old man?"
I pause from chopping potatoes to peer over my shoulder at my grandfather. "Sure." Setting the knife down, I wipe my hands on a dishtowel and sit down at the table across from him. "What's up?"
"You've been spending a lot of time with Easton."
"I have." I nod.
"I don't have to ask if what's going on between you is serious because from the way that young man looks at you, I know it is. I just wanted to see where your head was at. What are your feelings toward him?"
I chew on my bottom lip while contemplating how I want to answer. Finally, I decide to go with the truth. "I think it's serious. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Daideò. I can't explain it, but something tells me Easton is the one. I know it sounds crazy."
My grandfather cuts me off by placing his hand over the top of mine.
"It's not crazy, baby girl. I knew your grandmother was the one for me the second she walked into my life.
And you already know how it was for your mom and dad.
Some people wait a lifetime for that special someone, so when you are lucky enough to have found yours, you grab hold of them and don't let go. "
"Are you saying you're okay with Easton and I being together? Even though it happened so fast?"
"Cat, I married your grandmother three weeks after we met. What do you think? And your parents were married within two months of meeting. So what can I say? It's the Callaghan way." We both laugh at his statement. "Go with your heart, baby girl. The rest will fall into place."
About an hour later, I'm getting ready to set the table when I spot Easton through the window as he climbs the steps where he stops to talk to my grandfather, who is sitting on the porch.
Turning the gravy down on low, I make my way out to them.
"Hey," I say when I open the screen door.
"Supper is done, and I'm just about to set the table.
"Hey, baby." Easton kisses me. "Mind if I jump in the shower first?"
It's then I notice Easton is covered in dirt. "I…" I go to say, but I'm cut off when the rumble of rolling thunder sounds in the distance. And it sounds like it's getting closer. "What in the world is that?" I ask.
"Fuck," Easton growls.
I look over at him to see he has his head hung while shaking it. It can't be too bad of a thing because he's also smiling.
"I should have known."
"Should have known what?"
My question goes unanswered by Easton but is answered when I follow his gaze. Coming up the long dirt road leading to the house are nine motorcycles. And I swear I can feel the ground beneath my feet vibrate as they approach.
Grandpa comes to stand beside Easton. "I'm assuming you know who these people are, son."
Easton nods. "Yes, sir." He then turns to me. "Well, Red, time to meet my family."
Easton grabs my hand, forcing me to follow him down the steps. "Wait! What are you talking about?"
"My family, baby."
Holy crap. This is the MC family he was telling me about.
Easton and I stop at the edge of the yard in front of the house, and I watch as all nine bikes park in front of us.
I pay close attention to Easton and notice how his face lights up when he spots one person in particular.
A woman climbs off the back of one of the motorcycles, removes her helmet, and the moment she turns toward us, I know she is Easton's sister.
Though she has blonde hair, the features are similar.
The woman doesn't waste a second before she's throwing herself at Easton.
Refusing to let go of my hand, Easton embraces her with the other.
"I should have known your nosy ass would show up like this. "
The woman laughs.
The two break apart, and when they do, I'm suddenly the focus of her attention. "From the way my brother refuses to let you go, I'm going to assume you're Cat."
"You would be right. And you're Emerson." I give her a warm smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Cat." But then, Emerson does something that shocks the hell out of me; she hugs me.
"Nice to meet you, too."
When Emerson steps away, my eyes land on the people lingering behind her, and I'm pretty sure I don't do an excellent job at hiding my reaction because the only way to describe the men in front of me is scary hot. Damn!
The first man to speak is someone who exudes authority and confidence. He looks intimidating and a tad scary with his height, large frame, and bushy beard, but his blue eyes hold kindness.
"Jake," Easton greets him.
"Good to see ya, brother." Jake steps forward and gives Easton a handshake. Standing beside him is a woman with bright red hair and a warm motherly smile.
Easton then goes about introducing me to everyone.
"Baby, this is Jake and his wife, Grace. Behind him is Logan and his wife, Bella." Both Grace and Bella smile and wave.
Easton continues by pointing to the dark-haired man standing beside Logan with his arm around a blonde woman. "That's Gabriel and his wife, Alba. Then, standing to his left, is Reid and his woman Mila."
Reid is just as good-looking as the rest of the men, and I totally dig the shaved head and tattoos on his skull.
"Behind Reid are Austin and his wife, Lelani. And over there," he nods to his left, saying, "are Sam and Sofia. Then the other two are Blake and Grey." Easton pauses with his introduction then starts looking around. "Where is Quinn?"
"Fuckin' hell," Jake grumbles, and we all follow his line of sight. That's when I see Quinn, Emerson's husband, step out the front door of the house with a drumstick in one hand and a biscuit in the other.
"Quinn!" Emerson hisses.
"What?" Quinn says around a mouth full of food.
"You can't just go into someone else's house and eat their food."
"I'm starving, Sunshine. We've been on the road for hours."
"We ate an hour ago, dipshit," Logan barks.
Emerson sighs. "That's like ten hours in Quinn land." She then looks at me. "I'm so sorry. I can't take him anywhere."
I throw my head back and laugh. "It's okay."
"You see there, baby." Quinn steps off the porch and makes his way toward our group. "Cat doesn't mind." He peers over at me and grins. "Nice to meet ya, darlin'."