27. Emergency Meeting
Emergency Meeting
Fly
Did she say Maverick…aka Vex? Sheri, my woman, is staying with Vex like he’s the guy next door. Why did I think he lived in a bunker somewhere with a full arsenal and nine million booby traps between him and the world, only coming out to kill people who irritated him?
Because that’s what everyone thinks.
Rogue
Meet at church ASAP
That’s not good. At least it isn’t something life and death.
But something’s up, and it’s never good when the club has an unplanned emergency meeting.
Could it be about the plans Sheri seemed to think I would have this weekend?
What insanity are those women planning on getting into?
I don’t want to even think about that now. Not when I’m going to pick up my date from Vex’s house. Right about now is when Havoc should be worrying about me ending up dead.
While I’m trying to avoid death tomorrow, I need to make sure there’s someone there to ensure that Vandal doesn’t end up dead either.
Fly
I know where that is. Looking forward to our date.
Sheri
What should I wear?
Fly
Something comfortable. Nothing too fancy.
Sheri
Sounds perfect.
To me too.
Now I just need to figure out what we’re doing tomorrow at five…
***
Cyclops walks ahead of me as we enter the meeting. I step in next to him and lean over to whisper. “Cyclops, can I ask a favor?”
“Sure, what do you need, brother?”
“Can you babysit Vandal tomorrow night?”
“No problem. Have you got a date or something, because I don’t think you’ve ever asked anyone to cover a shift for you.”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me it’s one of those crazy, hot women.”
Could it be anyone else? We live in a small town with a single population of like ten. At least I think it’s right about there. Everyone seems to be married with kids or retiring. “Yeah.”
He lets out a low whistle. “You’re in for some pain.”
Sheri doesn’t seem like the type to hurt me. But after what Rogue and Havoc went through, I’m not taking any chances. She needs a tracker on her tomorrow.
At least I don’t need to worry about her being safe now. You’d have to be loony bin nuts to try anything with a woman staying under Vex’s roof. “Going to try to avoid that.”
Cyclops raises an eyebrow
“Thank you all for coming.” Havoc steps into the center of the room. “As you know, Rogue and I are now in serious relationships with two wonderful women that have a tendency to find trouble.”
“Starting a bar fight is more than a tendency.” Ledger shouts from the corner.
“Also true. They’re trying to stay out of it this time, but we don’t trust them not to. They have invited all of us to attend a murder mystery party in lieu of a bachelorette party.”
That actually sounds like fun. And although there’s violence in the name, a lot less likely to get someone killed along the way than them barhopping again.
“As many of you who would like to attend or could spare some time to provide security, let me know. Maddox is also hiring some added security, so we won’t be going this alone.”
Cyclops shouts out. “How deep in are they going for this murder mystery? Are we talking costumes and in character the whole time?”
Rogue grimaces.
Havoc nods. “Yup. All costumes will be provided. We’re not sure if you have to ‘live’ in character the whole weekend, but you can’t ruin the game for these ladies.”
“What about the Kissing Pact?” Ledger asks.
Like he’s one to complain about it.
“I don’t want to hear about who you’re kissing.”
Wolf whistles fill the room.
“Also, we need some brothers to ride patrol and be visible at the movie in the park night. It’s being held in the town square as always.”
Movie in the park?
Interesting. Very interesting.
I raise my hand. “I’ll be visible for the event.” This is going to be the perfect first date, but I’m going to need a few supplies. A grin spreads across my face.
***
I stretch out the next morning, getting ready for my run. Is Sheri doing the same thing right now?
Curiosity has my fingers moving faster than they should.
Fly
Good morning, Your Royal Highness.
Sheri
You’re a flirt…and a charmer. Good morning, Prince Charming…or should I call you Prince Fly or Prince of the Flies?
Fly
Who is the flirt now? Did I wake you up?
Her response came pretty quickly for me waking her up.
Sheri
Nope, I’m stretching for my morning run.
Don’t picture her body…you’re a gentleman…ish
Fly
Same. How far are you going to run?
Sheri
Tell me you aren’t the guy who plans his route and knows exactly how far he’s going to run every day.
Fly
Guilty as charged.
Sheri
That sounds boring.
Fly
It’s not. I have two paths through the woods. One longer for when I need to get some energy out, and one prettier for when I just need to enjoy the view. That is, if it isn’t too cold, in which case, I make do with the treadmill.
Sheri
I never know where I’m running. I just go where my legs take me.
From a safety perspective, that’s probably smart for a female running alone.
Wait, is she running alone in Urbium in the dark?
Fly
Hitting the treadmill must be boring for you this morning.
Sheri
No treadmill. I don’t think Dahlia has one.
She’s running on the street…alone?
Fly
Is that safe?
Sheri
The first morning, I was kind of afraid. But this neighborhood feels pretty safe.
She’s staying with Vex…where his wife lives. Sheri’s probably safe.
Fly
Wanna run together?
Sheri
How? You’re too far away. The girls are going to pick me up after my run.
How do I protect her from this far away?
It kills me that she’s alone, running in the city.
A tracker…I send a request on my phone to follow her location.
The crazy, bold woman immediately accepts.
Fly
Do you listen to music, or do you want to talk through it?
Sheri
I’ve never talked to someone while running.
Fly
Why don’t we try that?
I pop my earbuds in.
Fly
We can always switch to a shared playlist if it doesn’t work.
Sheri
Sounds good…but I’m not running to Mozart.
Fly
Chopin?
Sheri
LOL. No. I’ll pick the music.
A grin spreads across my face as I dial her number. “Good morning.”
“You can’t say good morning like that. It’s not fair to a woman this early in the morning. Not to mention the fact that weak knees aren’t the best thing for running.”
I slide the phone into the armband I got to hold it and slip out the back door. “So what you’re saying is my voice is sexy.”
“Like you needed me to tell you that.”
It’s not like I’m a humble man. “I like hearing you say it.”
“Beast.”
“I thought I was a prince.”
“You’re that too.” She laughs. “I need to move faster. It’s so cold up here.”
Cold. “Your hometown must be pretty far south for you to think this morning is cold.”
“Hey now, no picking on the girl with thin blood. Beach Haven is right on the gulf. It either feels hot and muggy or like you poured a gallon of boiling water on yourself, then decided to run across the surface of the sun.”
“That sounds pleasant. No need to hit the sauna after your run then.”
“Nope. Also, no need for a facial or makeup remover because that’s all gone.”
“Do you wear makeup when running?” That was an intrusive question, but she doesn’t seem like the type to fuss about how she looks when she’s working out. There’s definitely a type of woman who has to be perfectly coiffed at all times.
High-maintenance women aren’t my thing, but I could make an exception for Sheri.
“Not an ounce. I really only bother with it when I’m going to see people.”
“Do I count as people?” Because I’d really like to see the real Sheri.
Her laugh comes out as a rushed puff of air. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
“What have you figured out about me?”
“That’s a good question. Not as much as I would have liked. But I guess that’s what our first date will be good for. So where are you taking me?”
Non-answers are my specialty, but they drive me insane when she gives them because I want to know everything that she’s thinking. “Are you the type who likes surprises or hates them?”
“I don’t know.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re the type that hates them,” she deflects. “No, it’s more than that. You’re the type of man who is always so organized nothing ever surprises you.”
What? “How did you know that?”