Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 62737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“Veronica!” My hackles rise with unease. I’m on edge watching as this plays out. I square my shoulders, cross my arms over my chest, and let Ronnie take the lead, for now.
“What, Joey?” She doesn’t bother looking at him, too busy working on drinks. Whoever this is must not be worth her time.
“Your brother said close early tonight. Eleven sharp.” The crowd collectively raises their heads, probably ready to say some shit about only having another thirty minutes or so when they planned to be here longer.
“Tell Zane to stop making you his message boy. I’ll close when the hours on the door say I’m closing. That’s at midnight.” I relax when realization hits that Ronnie has this handled.
“I’m not his messenger, but good luck telling him that yourself.” Ronnie’s response is to flick him off.
I turn around, locate the guys, and head their way. There’s a barstool facing the bar, giving me a bird’s eye view of the place, the same thing any of them would do if it were their woman working at a bar.
“Your girl does not mess around.” Tysen, the pilot of our group, says as I take my seat.
“Yeah, she’ll fit right in, and with the group getting bigger, it won’t be long until we’re outnumbered.” Trent runs his fingers through his hair, still in his uniform from work. Dress shirt, slacks, and police badge on his hip.
“I think we already are with the twins being born,” Asher says like the proud father he is. His job as a firefighter makes his schedule hectic, and it’s a damn good thing he’s got a good wife in his corner.
“Touché,” Matthew agrees, getting up from the barstool. “Going to order a beer. What do you all want?” The guys give him their order, mine is already with Ronnie, and I remain quiet.
“This a forever kind of thing?” Johnny asks. He owns a club, Undercover Lovers for the public and Night Moves for an exclusive group where inhibitions are dropped.
“Fuck yeah, it is.” Luke nods his head at my response. It wasn’t long ago that he fell in love with Shae. She’d been a pseudo patient at his obstetrics and gynecologist office. Things unfolded, and now they’re tighter than tight. We shoot the shit, update one another on work since I’ve been gone for the past four days, and I input my two cents when needed while they do the same.
“Alright, I think I’ve got everyone’s order.” Ronnie approaches with Matthew. He’s carrying his beer and nothing else. Fucking schmuck. His mom would kick his ass if she were here with us.
“Thanks, Foxy.” I help her distribute the drinks as she hands them to me. “You already met Matthew, the lawyer of the group and all-around asshat.” I send him a scathing look.
“Man, she wouldn’t let me do jack shit.” He moves around the table.
“Jude, stop it.”
“Alright, I’ll go down the line with their names. Don’t worry about remembering them. The only memorable one is me.” Jagger laughs. I’m taking a line out of his book, except I’m being possessive of Ronnie, and he likes to piss everyone off.
“Johnny, Trent, Crew, Jagger, Luke, Tysen, and Asher.” With each drink she passes, I let her know who’s who.
“It’s nice to meet you. Jude only says good things about you all.” I move Ronnie between my spread thighs, allowing her to lean on me in the process.
“Don’t forget about me.” Lennie comes barreling through, and Asher’s arm reaches out to grab her by the waist.
“Hi, I’m Ronnie. Or Veronica. Whichever you prefer.” She holds her hand out to shake.
“It’s so good to meet you.” Lennie ignores her hand, moves away from Asher, and gives Ronnie a hug. “You can call me Lennie or Lennon. So, same. And the girls really wanted to be here, but everyone is knocked up.” Lennie shrugs her shoulder, then glares at all the guys acting like she didn’t deliver twins not long ago.
“Wow, all of them at the same time?” she asks.
“Well, they’re staggered, so kind of. Anyways, I’m going to add you to our group chat. Then we can plan a girls’ day without these guys.” Lennie pulls away from Ronnie and moves back to Asher, and I do similar, wrapping my arm around Ronnie’s middle myself.
“Sure, that sounds fine to me.” She looks over her shoulder. “Are you okay with that?”
“Fuck yeah. Welcome to the chaos, Foxy.”
“Ignore him. We’re not wild and crazy. Unlike these guys, who are thrill seekers, running into burning buildings and dealing with criminals to name a few.” The guys and I chuckle at Lennie’s antics.
“Shit.” Ronnie stands up, pulling away from me. “Please excuse me. I fear I’m going to have to do some damage control.” I look at where her gaze is, concerned it’s Joey again, trying to be the go-between.