The frantic buzzing of my phone pulls me out of my trance. I’ve been staring at this paperwork on my desk for the last 4 hours and I’ve barely made a dent in it. Probably because my thoughts continually return toher. Completing the boring admin that the club requires to keep running is usually something I do with ease, but ever since that night I’m finding it impossible to focus. My phone continues to vibrate, the sound seeming to get louder the longer I ignore it.
For fuck’s sake.
Reaching forward, I shift through the scattered paperwork until I find my mobile buried beneath it, hitting the accept callbutton without checking who it is. There are only a handful of people who would call me on my mobile, all business calls going through the phone at the club.
“Clay,” I answer gruffly, rubbing my free hand across my face. I’ve never been one for airs and graces, and my current state of exhaustion isn’t helping the matter.
“We need you to come to the shop.”
Bear’s deep voice rumbles through the phone, not bothering with greetings. I would know his voice anywhere. He said we, which means that Elliot is down there with him. What could they need me for when the two of them are already working on it? This whole gym and health-food business is more of their baby than mine, I’m simply offering finances and the occasional hand, but I already have a full-time business to manage. Not that I’m doing much of that at the moment, thanks to the blonde-haired beauty that keeps running through my mind.
“I’m busy.”
He’s clearly expecting this response, as he snorts. “You’re not going to find your mystery girl locked up in your office. People are going to think you’re a fucking vampire if you don’t get some sunlight soon.”
That stings. The implication that I won’t find Holly only makes me want to find her more, to prove him wrong. However… thinking over his statement, he might not be wrong. I’ve reached a dead end in the club, so perhaps I need to take my search wider. Still, the idea of going outside now is not something I want to do. My head aches from last night and I really do have a shit load of work to do here.
“I have paperwork,” I reply, but even I can hear the reluctance in my voice.
“Clay, we need you.”
Shit. He knows how to manipulate me into doing exactly what he wants. Bear and Elliot are the closest thing I have tofamily and if they need me, I’m there. I don’t make friends easily, and my biological family gave up on me a long time ago, so the people who I let in are more important to me than anything else. Taking a break from my search won’t hurt, and it will probably do me good to get out of the club for a bit.
Sighing, I push away from the desk, standing as I look around for my jacket. “Fine.”
Bear chuckles quietly on the other end of the line. “The fresh air will be good for you.”
Bastard. I don’t bother to reply, simply hanging up and shaking my head. They always get their way. Whatever. They need my help, so I’ll be there.
It’s time to go and visit Hinton Grove.
TEN
HOLLY
My fist hits the dough with far more aggression than needed, but I can’t deny that it’s helping work out my frustrations. Lifting it with both hands, I slam it back down onto the workstation, kneading it with vigour. I’m aware that I probably look like a crazy person. All of my staff are keeping away from me, and Ashley is watching me as though I’ve lost my mind.
Huffing out what sounds suspiciously like a growl, I shake my head, trying to rid the image of Elliot from my mind. I’ve not seen him since our encounter the other day when I was delivering to the Institute. At least, I’ve not seen him in the flesh since then, but he’s occupied a frustrating amount of space in my thoughts.
“It was just his smug face that annoyed me the most,” I attest, my whole body practically vibrating with built-up frustration. “But I’m fine,” I insist for the fifth time since Ashley first asked me. “I’m not going to let him get to me.”
“Yeah, I can see that…”
The sarcasm in her voice causes me to glance up, shooting her a glare that would cause most people to shy away. Of course, it doesn’t affect her in the slightest. Instead, she just looks downat the mess in my hands with a raised brow. “And the dough you’re beating, that has nothing to do with the annoying hot guy that’s moving in next door?”
Releasing the dough from my hands, I wipe my hands on my apron and cross my arms over my chest to glare at her. “You’re supposed to be on my side here.”
Rolling her eyes, she throws her arms up into the air dramatically. “I am on your side!” Closing the distance between us, she leans on the counter and stares up at me sincerely. “Look, if you want me to go and beat him up, then let’s go! However, he’s clearly gotten under your skin and I don’t think it’s because he’s opening a health-food bar.”
Ashley seems poised, ready to go next door and live up to her promise; all I need to do is say the word. This is exactly why I love her. She would burn down the world for me, always having my back no matter the situation and if I’m in the wrong or not. I would do the same for her, making her relationship to me closer than most of my family. However, she seems a little too enthusiastic for my liking, despite the fact that she already knows I’m not going to choose the violent option.
Her comment does make me bristle though. Is she implying that this feud has a deeper reason? Images of Elliot flash in my mind, his handsome smile and the way his T-shirt hugged his muscular chest– Realising where my mind is going, I shoot her a pointed look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her expression says it all. She sees right through me and knows exactly where my thoughts wondered just then. However, before she can reply, the bell over the door dings, letting us know that a customer has just entered the bakery.
Saved by the bell. Thank the pastry gods.
Giving Ashley a very pointed look to wind her neck in, I turn and rid my expression of any sighs of annoyance. My eyes lock on the figure in the doorway and travel up to his face. He’s thelast person I ever expected to see in here, and his surprised expression tells me the feeling is mutual.
