Page 13 of Ravage

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Just hate that Mom and Dad didn’t get to meet him, and that he’s not going to meet them.”

“I get it, and I’m sorry. It doesn’t seem fair.”

“That’s because it’s not, but let’s not dwell on that.” I could almost hear the smile in his voice when he said, “Have you met anyone new lately?”

I closed the refrigerator. “You know I haven’t.”

“I don’t know anything,” he huffed. “You never tell me anything anymore.”

“Because you use it against me.”

“So, I guess that means you’re still drooling over you-know-who.”

“And there you go again.”

“What? I’m just asking.”

“You know better than to ask.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Leave it. The man doesn’t even know I exist.”

“He does.”

“Not in the way I want him to.”

Adan loved Jax and always appreciated the fact that he’d taken us in. But he was always wary of the club and the brothers, so I wasn’t surprised when he said, “Good… It’d be weird if he did.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

“Just telling it like it is… Now, come see your nephew.”

“Yeah, yeah. I will.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I’m sure you will. Now, I’ve got to go. I’m starving, and my Coco Pebbles are calling my name.”

“And you wonder why you’re single.”

“Goodbye, Adan.”

“Bye, sis. Love ya.”

“Love you, too.”

I ended the call and made myself a bowl of cereal.

This was my life.

I had a job I loved, an apartment made just for me, a cat who tolerated me, a wonderful brother, and a family of tattooed bikers who were always looking out for me. It should have been enough, and most days, it was.

But lately, I started wishing for something more.

I wanted someone other than my cat to be waiting for me when I came home. Someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by my family of brothers. Someone who could make me feel things I hadn’t let myself feel.