“My dad used to be that way, but he changed over time. After a while, my brother disappeared because he couldn’t take all the hate in our house. He moved in with my grandma, and when he was old enough, he took off for Florida and I didn’t see him for almost ten years.”
I couldn’t imagine not having Cullen around growing up. As much as he drove me crazy, he was all that I had besides my mom and dad. He knew everything about me, and I knew all there was to know about him too.
“That had to be hard.”
“It was, but the only blessing after my mom died was getting my brother back in my life.”
“Tell me about him.”
Austin laughed quietly. “He’s an interesting character.”
I stretched, putting my feet out and resting them near his upper body. “How so?”
“He lived with a biker club for a while.”
My eyes widened. “He did? He was in an MC?”
He shook his head. “No, he just crashed at their compound.”
I furrowed my brows. “How does one crash at their compound?”
“He got shot, and they took him in like a wounded puppy. He lived there for a few years, learned tattooing, and once he was on his feet, he left.”
“They let him leave just like that?” My mouth hung open, shocked.
“He wasn’t a member of the club. He’s still friends with the guys and everything. He sees them from time to time. But he moved near Tampa to take a job at the most well-known tattoo shop in the area and is with the owner’s daughter.”
“Oh, that has to be interesting.”
“I worked there for two summers with them, and they’re perfect for each other. The family, her family, took me in and made me feel like I’d always been there.”
“They sound like something special.”
“They are.” He smiled as his eyes flickered from me to the rolling waves. “They’re the best type of people.”
“Are you sure you want me to come with you this weekend? Won’t it be weird? We don’t even know each other.”
“Do you trust me?” he asked, his eyes coming back to my face and studying me. “I promise it’ll be a great time.”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “Won’t people think we’re…”
“They won’t think anything. You’ll be saving me from a weekend of being the center of attention.”
“You want me to take some of the heat.”
He nodded, smirking. “It’s easier to share the Gallo spotlight than to be the only one standing in the light.”
“You promise you don’t have an ulterior motive?”
He tipped his head back toward the sky. “What other motive could I have?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re trying to lure me away to have your way with me.”
“Darlin’,” he drawled, bending his neck so his piercing eyes were on me. “If I wanted to have my way with you, I wouldn’t have to take you five hours away.”
My stomach fluttered at his words. “Not true, cocky jerk.”
His smirk grew. “You don’t have to come. I’m sure you’ll find something more interesting to do this weekend. I don’t need a chaperone or a babysitter.”
