Page 40 of The Heir

“It’s me, grandpa,” I called out to him, waving back with a warm smile.

“Evening, Sir.” Blaze’s respectful tone made my smile drop and I glanced back at him in disbelief.

Did he just say ‘sir?’ I suddenly questioned my own hearing and was certain the county judge would have bleated at such a performance.

“Who do we have here?” Grandpa asked, pleased by the address, and conveying his approval with a slow nod in my direction.

“This– Uh–,” I stammered, suddenly regretting his name. Both Blaze, because my grandfather would assume his mother was a stoner, and Aviston because he knew damn good and well who Easy was.

Blaze dismounted with ease and extended his hand to my grandfather, “Blaze Aviston, I’m Crystal O’Brian’s son.”

Grandpa’s eyes narrowed only to widen abruptly, “You mean Agent Crystal O’Brian?”

Blaze made a strange sound and nodded, “Yeah. Yes, sir. She and my stepfather are both federal agents.”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded, “What about you? Are you in law enforcement as well?”

“No. No, sir. I only just received my bachelor degrees back in Georgia. I need a master’s to really sink my teeth into things, I guess you could say.”

“I think you mean bachelor’s degree.” I clipped, as if my grammar were somehow superior to his.

“No. Bachelordegrees. I have more than one.” He winked. “Psych and History, dual major.”

Grandpa whistled and wagged his finger at Blaze.

“You tell your mother and Oakland they’re welcome for dinner anytime,” Grandpa announced. “I’m going to head inside. I’m glad it was you out here, there was some yahoo that ran reckless through the carnival according to the scanner earlier. I figured it was one of your brothers that did it and was looking for a place to hide when I heard the motorcycle.”

“Through the carnival?” The disbelief Blaze injected into his voice made my composure fail me and I laughed.

Grandpa looked back at me like I was a madwoman.

“Sorry. It’s just– Blaze is from Georgia. He doesn’t know the antics the bikers get up to around here.” I covered.

Grandpa huffed louder than a bull, “Be thankful you don’t have to deal with it. They’re all trouble. Always up to no good.”

He carried on all the way to the house. The minute he was inside, I collapsed against Blaze and muffled my fit of laughter with his shirt, while he smothered his in a kiss against my neck. I founda gas can in the barn, and he filled it up before heading back to town.

Chapter Sixteen

Blaze

I don’t think the smile left my face the entire ride home.

Home.

The fact that I considered my uncle’s guest room home after laying my head there once was comical. My cell phone vibrated against my chest, lighting up the top of my pocket a little. I didn’t bother checking it. The only people with my number were my parents and my sister. I knew my mother wouldn’t let Karlotti out of her sight again, so nothing could possibly be wrong on that end.

The lights were still on at Easy’s house. Both inside and in the shed. Two silhouettes were illuminated in the opening of the shed and I saw a hand raise and gesture for me, so I started that way.

When I got closer, I realized it was Easy and Donnie. The latter of which saluted me with his chin.

“How's it goin’, brother?” Donnie greeted me while reaching for my hand. I shook up with him and let him tug me into a half-hearted hug.

“Good. It’s good to see you again,” I told him.

“How’d she ride?” Easy asked.

When I blinked rather than answer him immediately, he laughed.

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