Page 86 of Rooster

I was really worried.

Me:

I know.

I would’ve called if I could.

Maggie:

It’s fine.

Me:

No, it’s not, but it’s going to happen from time to time.

Maggie:

I know.

When can I see you?

Me:

When do you want to see me?

Maggie:

Soon.

Me:

You got it.

I tossedmy phone onto the bed, then rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower. I grabbed some fresh clothes from my closet, and once I was dressed, I headed out to the parking lot. It’d just started snowing again, so I had no choice but to take the truck. Without telling the guys where I was going, I whipped out of the gate and drove over to the salon.

When I pulled up, I could see Maggie standing at her station. She was working on a client, but that didn’t stop me from going inside. As soon as the door opened, Maggie turned around, and her mouth dropped open when she saw that it was me. “Ronin.”

“You got a minute?”

“Yeah, ah...” she stammered. “Just give me one sec.”

I nodded, then walked to the back where we could talk without being gawked at by the other women in the shop. I was standing there waiting for her when I heard one of them ask, “Is that him?”

“Yes, that’s Ronin.”

“Holy smokes, woman,” one of them gasped. “You didn’t tell me he was so stinking hot. Now that I think about it, you haven’t told us anything about this guy.”

“I’ve been a little preoccupied.”

“Clearly!” another one gasped.

“Hush, or he’s going to hear you.”

“Too late,” I chuckled from the back.

“Oh, God,” Maggie groaned. “Will you guys cool it?”

“Sure, just make sure you two talk loud enough so we can hear.”

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