Page 16 of Until Easton

"The gist of it is my parents had a different vision of what they wanted for their kids. Both my parents are respectable doctors. Emerson followed in their footsteps and now owns her own practice in the town where she lives. I dropped out of medical school and chased music."

"Wow. You were in medical school? Somehow, I can't see that."

Easton quirks a brow. "Don't let my looks fool ya, Red. I graduated high school early and was at the top of my class when I did."

"I didn't. I…that's not what I meant," I say with frustration.

"Relax, Red. I know what you meant." Easton laughs at my frustration.

"What I meant is I've watched videos of you up on stage. I can tell how much you love what you do and can't imagine you doing something else." I throw the towel in my hand at his face. He, of course, catches it mid-air.

"Your sister, where does she live?" I continue.

"She is in Montana with her husband and daughter."

I smile. "Jax mentioned you were going to visit her and your niece; that it was her birthday."

The mention of his niece brings a massive smile to Easton's face. "Yeah. I never miss one of Lydia's birthdays. I may not get to see my family a lot, but there are some occasions I make no exception for."

For some reason knowing this revelation about Easton warms my heart. I'm starting to think all my preconceived notions were way off base. "And her husband, what does he do?" I ask.

Easton looks at me, then looks away, then back at me like he's hesitant to answer my question.

"Quinn is a member of the Kings of Retribution."

I cock my head to the side. "Um, is that a motorcycle club?"

"It is," is all he says.

"Wow. Okay. That's um…cool." I don't really know what else to say. My knowledge of motorcycle clubs is zero. I hear people talk about MCs, but I'm not one to listen to rumors.

"The Kings are cool, and my sister has never been happier than she is right now. All the other shit doesn't factor in."

"You're right."

After the heavy conversation on both ends, Easton and I finish our trek back to the house in comfortable silence. "Thanks for helping me with Blue," I tell him once we step up onto the porch.

"You're welcome, baby."

I jump, and a gasp escapes my mouth when his words are spoken into the shell of my ear.

Oh god, there's that word again.

"You okay?" he asks, taking one of my curls between his fingers, and I shiver. Easton doesn't miss my reaction either because I watch as his pupils dilate from beneath his hooded eyes.

"Yes." My voice comes out breathless. "I just…I…" I begin to stutter and put some distance between us. Easton's presence, his smell, the way he dominates my attention; it all has me confused, and worst of all…he knows it. "I'm going to get cleaned before I head into town." I step away and toss a wave over my shoulder as I make a hasty retreat. Easton just stands there while leaning against the railing as he watches me walk away.

"See you later, baby," he calls out.

7

EASTON

I casually glance around the small bar and take a drink from the beer bottle in my hand. A pretty brunette across the room smiles at me, but I'm not interested. Doesn't surprise me. There's only one woman on my mind—Becca. My attention shifts and settles on Becca instead. Like I have for the past hour since she walked into the bar, I watch her. I haven't stopped thinking about her since I arrived. Becca is the first person I think about in the morning, and her face is the final vision to fill my head at night. And it's fucking with my head. The need to be around her any chance I can get has become my sole focus. Everything about her intrigues me.

Would you fucking look at me? I'm out here lying low because of a stalker, who is obsessed with wanting to be with me, and I'm turning into one myself. How pathetic is that?

Becca works harder than anyone I've known. She rolls out of bed before the sun rises to help run the ranch, then drives to town to work at the salon. The little help I've offered the past few days is nothing compared to the heart and determination Becca pours out to keep the ranch from drowning.