Page 35 of The Devil's Reward
Once the microwave beeps, I settle in on the couch and turn on the TV. I need some noise to fill the space. Otherwise memories are going to start crowding in, and on a day like today, I don’t need that added stress. I find a show that doesn’t look boring, and eat the bland dinner I’ve heated up.
The ice cream was much better, but I can’t survive on ice cream alone, so I’ll be good and eat my meal. Even if I do wish it was pizza.
My phone buzzes as I finish eating, and I roll my eyes when I see it’s my sister sending me a ridiculous meme. It’s her favorite thing to do when she’s bored. I shoot her back a quick GIF of a woman running the other way. Which of course, starts a war of GIFs with my sister and it’s a good bit of back and forth before I finally set the phone down and ignore it.
When it buzzes again, I almost don’t pick it up, but finally give in and grab it to see what other ridiculous thing she’s sent me now. I freeze when I see it’s not my sister texting me.
It’s Shadow. As in Shadow, the man who just rescued me from being mugged. The man who is far too handsome for his own good, the man who haunts my dreams.
I open the text, and my breath seizes in my lungs when I read the message.
Shadow: Would you run screaming if I asked you out to dinner?
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Shadow just asked me out on a date. A date!
I immediately call my sister. There is no way I can just answer this. Not when I’m freaking out. My stomach is jumping and my heart is pounding.
“Don’t come for me,” Peyton laughs. “It was just a joke.”
“I’m not calling about that,” I gasp out. “I just got asked out on a date! With a hot biker. Who I met through work. I’m freaking the hell out.” The words come out in a rush, and by the time I finish, I’m mildly gasping. Peyton is silent on the other end. “Hello? Did you hear what I just said?” I snap at her.
“Hold your horses,” she snaps back and I hear her moving. “I’ll call you right back.” Then she’s gone.
Seriously? I’m in the middle of a crisis and she hangs up on me? What kind of sister does that? I jump to my feet and start pacing, my mind racing all over the place. Why did he suddenly ask me out? Is it out of pity? Or is he attracted to me?
My phone rings and I see it’s a video call so I quickly swipe it open, but stop when I see not only my sister, but my parents also. Shit. And by the grins on their faces, they’re going to enjoy every second of this.
“Tell us everything,” my mother orders, her eyes bright with excitement. “Do you mean an actual biker like on Sons, or are we talking just some guys that get together every once in a while?”
“No, he’s a real biker, but they’re not into any illegal stuff from what I know,” I reply.
“And you know this how?” Peyton asks drily.
I flush at her question. Damn it. I really need to learn how to stop that. “I, ah, looked them up,” I admit.
“And when did you look them up?” Peyton asks, her grin widening even further.
I sigh. “After I saw him the other day at the convenience store.” It was a late night thing, and I mean, when he told me that Crypt was going to be prospecting for the club, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything nefarious. I have heard rumors about them since I moved to town, but wanted to confirm they are true. I mean, what kind of social worker would I be?
“And how many times have you run into him?” my father asks, looking thoughtful.
“Well, the first time was at the repair shop when Macy conned him out of money for chips,” I begin.
My father bursts out laughing. “I forgot about that. Alright, well, if he was easily charmed, he can’t be all bad. You have my blessing to go out with him.”
I glare at the phone. “I’m almost thirty, Dad. I don’t need your permission,” I reply snippily.
He shrugs. “Don’t care how old you are. You’ll always be my little girl. But you also know that I want you to have some fun. And if this guy is someone you like, then grab him by the dick and ride him like a stallion.”
My mouth drops open at his words and my face flames in embarrassment, even as my mother and sister laugh. “Dad!” I screech, horrified.
“What?” he asks innocently. “Listen, you grab a man who’s interested in you by the dick, he’s not going to yell at you to stop. Well, unless you’re squeezing too hard, then he’ll probably ask you to lighten up,” he adds thoughtfully.
Oh my God, my father is insane. “I’m not doing any kind of grabbing,” I tell him vehemently. “He asked me out on a date.”
“Speaking of which,” my mother interrupts before my father can answer me, “what brought this on? And how did he get your number?”
“Through work,” I mutter.
