Page 125 of Wild Card

Rowan nudges my thigh and I turn fully to Bex. “You are my best friend and nothing about me is usually off-limits. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Tell all of us,” Shayla urges gently, sensing Bex’s unease.

“Well, these men love you. Like adore, idolize, scorch the earth, touch-her-and-die,love you.It’s what romance novels are made of and most women dream about. There is nothing they won’t do to protect you. Maybe they are all bossy and stuck in the stone age, but do you ever doubt their feelings? Not one of you ever has to question their devotion because they’d die before letting you get hurt.”

Silence fills the air until she shrugs uncomfortably, finishing her drink with a slurp. “Like I said, I’m the outsider and don’t know all the details.”

“You call yourself an outsider again and we will have problems. You don’t want problems with me.” Shayla refills her glass and goes to greet a customer.

“I do have a pretty busy schedule coming up. Maybe I was a little rash in my reaction. These pregnancy hormones are getting to me.” Harley rubs her stomach and glances around the bar. “I’ll tell Tom it’s safe to come out and call Achilles. He’s probably already in the parking lot waiting to hear what crazy pregnant wife he’s getting tonight.” She walks away, then calls over her shoulder, “Shayla is right, Bex. Don’t call yourself an outsider again.”

“Okay, the night can begin.” Rowan raises her glass in a salute. “Jewls?”

“Now that all the melodrama is out of the way, let’s talk schedules.” Jewls pulls out a printed copy of her calendar. “Any questions?”

Bex and I shake our heads. Earlier in the week, Talon warned me to watch for what he referred to as all the ‘fucking social shit’. Jewls sent an email to Bex and me outlining events through the next two months.

Between baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, and our graduation, the calendar was packed. I asked Talon how my graduation made it onto the list and he speared me with an irritated look, saying,“We celebrate the fucking important shit, Lo.”

It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it that had me attacking him in the middle of his living room. My stomach pitters thinking about it.

“No questions, here,” Bex chirps.

I stare at the calendar, the flutter dying as one date flashes like a beacon, taunting me.

Talon’s birthday… This weekend… The birthday he hasn’t mentioned and I almost missed.

“Talon’s birthday,” Comes out as a squeak, and I clear my throat. “I need help with Talon’s birthday.”

I take a huge gulp of my drink, enjoying the hints of citrus before diving into my problem.

“He didn’t tell me it’s his birthday. I found out when I was reviewing his file. That was two days ago and I’ve been wracking my brain on what to do.”

“He’ll love anything you do,” Rowan encourages.

“It has to be special. Talon has done so much… and he’s… he’s everything.”

“We’ll come up with something special.”

“Sex marathon… perfect answer to every occasion,” Shayla calls loud enough to draw attention from most of the people at the bar.

“How did she even hear us?”

“Occupational requirement. We have to know what’s happening everywhere.” Harley rejoins us in a much cheerier mood.

Tom bustles through the space, stopping at our group. He zeroes in on me and I fight the urge to curl into myself.

He’s a big guy. I know he used to be on the force and opened this place when he retired. The girls may refer to him as a big softie, but his glower is anything but kind. He rakes his eyes over me, then does the same to Bex.

“Those guys are trying to put me in an early grave. You two keep your asses planted in those seats. You need to go to the bathroom, you tell me.” He takes off without another word.

“Did that scary man order us to tell him if we have to go to the bathroom?” Bex whispers.

“He’s obviously been given instructions. We’re under his watch until one of the guys gets here. It’s one reason we have these seats reserved. No one can get to us,” Rowan quips breezily.

“I thought Talon was overprotective. Seems like it’s a Casanova trait.”

“You have no idea. And if you ever question it, be ready for the‘get used to it’.” Harley lowers her voice to imitate Ace.

---