Chapter 7

I was back in the office on Monday going through a pile of papers when my phone chimed. I had a text from Rebel. After our bike ride, I hadn’t seen him much and I thought maybe I’d done something wrong, but Grandpa assured me he was just busy taking him back and forth to the doctor to change his meds and get additional testing. My hands began to sweat as I read his text.

U busy?

Not really

Can I come by?

Yep. At the office

Be there in five

Shit. I was going to hyperventilate. I’d been alone with Rebel a few times now, but I’m always afraid I’m going to blurt something out that I shouldn’t. Like, ‘please fuck me’, or ‘can I suck your dick’? I snorted at the thought and began placing my paperwork in files. I heard the front doorbell and checked the time.

“That was fast,” I said, as I approached the front door. I stopped in my tracks as Mac stood just inside the door with Nash. “Everything okay?”

“Just letting you know we’re adding Nash to the team.” Mac grinned.

My heart rate began to slow down as I realized he wasn’t there to talk about Neil. I smiled and stuck my hand out to Nash. “Good to have you.”

“Good to be had.” Nash gripped my hand firmly.

“So who are you assigning Nash to?” I asked.

“Well, for now he’s going to be watching over Evander Torrin.”

“Ah, the London Boy.” I nodded, remembering the young man in the popular boy band. “What do you mean ‘for now’?”

“Let’s just say Hammer’s going to be filling that position fulltime soon.”

“Is that right?” I lifted my brows with a grin.

“Yep. Paul’s got Buster, and Rebel doesn’t really need a guard, but Hammer’s on that detail anyway.”

“Well, it’s good to know we have you guys watching out for us.” I smiled at Nash. “Wait, what about Jinx?”

“Achilles vouched for another guy. I’m bringing him in next week to interview him.”

“Sounds like we have a full house.”

The roar of Rebel’s Harley filled the parking lot out front and I grinned. “Rebel’s here.”

“I heard about the camping trip. Sounds like you’ll be having fun.”

“Oh, they decided on that for sure?” I asked.

“Yep.” Mac winked. He turned to Nash and indicated my office. “Shall we?”

I walked to the front door and peered over my shoulder. Nash was checking out my ass. I grinned as he looked up and we met eyes. The front door opened and Rebel walked in. He was wearing faded jeans with the bands’ T-shirt, sleeves cut off. I think I swallowed my tongue. My mouth went dry as he shot me his dazzling smile.

“Hey, Stan.”

“Hey.”

“So, the guys and I talked and we’re doing the camping thing this weekend. I’ve got Grandpa staying two nights at the nursing home so he’s taken care of as well. I offered for him to come along but I think he’s got plans.”

“With Mabel I’m sure.” I snickered.

Rebel held up a hand. “I don’t need the visual.”

“So, um, what do I need to do or bring? I know you said you’re all set and stuff but I need to bring something.”

“Whatever you want to drink then, how’s that?”

“Okay.”

“So, I’ll pick you up then?”

“Sure.” I nodded. Rebel’s eyes flashed with something that resembled annoyance and I glanced over my shoulder to see Mac and Nash coming out of my office.

“Rebel.” Mac nodded.

“Mac.” Rebel did the same.

“You remember Nash?” I offered.

“Yep.” Rebel shook Nash’s hand and I watched as they both stood there — just staring at each other, pumping their hands.

“Yeah, so.” I coughed and took Rebel by his arm. “Let’s go shopping?”

“Yeah. Sure.” Rebel released Nash’s hand.

I exhaled and Mac shot me an amused look.

Once I got the building locked up, I followed Rebel back to his house to drop off his bike and we went to the store in my car. I had already gotten a text from Gareth confirming their plans to go camping and texted him back letting him know I was going as well. I got a happy face and hand-clapping emoticon from him in return. I chuckled as I stared at my phone.

“Who is texting you?” Rebel asked casually.

“Gareth.” I held up my phone for him to see.

“Ah.” Rebel nodded, grabbing a box of crackers off the shelf.

“Who did you think it was?” I pocketed my phone and grinned at Rebel.

“Maybe that Nash guy.” He shrugged, dropping the box into the cart.

“He doesn’t have my number.”

“He doesn’t?” Rebel eyed me.

“No. Why would he? I just met the guy.”

“Oh. I thought he asked you out?”

I placed my hands on my hips and gave him my best ‘bitch’ look. “Excuuuse me, but do I look like a ʼho?”

Rebel cracked up and pushed the cart forward. “That was good.”

“I try.”

“Well let’s get what we need and get out of here.”

After shopping, I dropped Rebel off and went home. I had a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in.