Chapter 19
nineteen
JO
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I watch a furious Ezra stomp over to where my ass landed in the dirt, gun in one of his hands and his phone in the other.
The scowl makes him even hotter, which just makes me hate him more.
I’m in pain, exhausted, and barely holding down the panic from not knowing what happened to everyone else.
The infuriatingly attractive mountain man standing over me is doing nothing to improve my mood.
“I thought I’d check the dirt for cockroaches.” Looking up, I widen my eyes. “Oh shit! There’s a giant one!” I gasp, covering my mouth in mock shock.
Instead of the glare I was expecting, Ezra just sighs and pockets his phone. He bends down, scooping me up into one meaty arm. I squeal and quickly clutch his neck.
“Let’s go, Bambi. We shouldn’t be outside more than we need to,” he says, not hiding his exasperation.
“Bambi? What the fuck? I’m not a baby deer!” I argue while trying to think of an insulting nickname for him. The next thing I know, I’m out of his arms and flying in the air. I scream before landing on an overstuffed couch.
“You sure about that?” he says, smirking like a dickhead.
“Fuck you,” I mumble under my breath. Because no. Right now, I’m probably no better than a damn baby deer.
Ezra ignores me and storms into the kitchen, rummaging through the freezer like an animal.
Once he finds what he’s looking for, he makes his way back to me.
The scowl is still on his face, but it contradicts how gently he moves my leg to prop my ankle onto a navy pillow with white birds embroidered on it.
With the same amount of care, he puts a bag of frozen peas on my swollen ankle.
I hiss at the sudden cold on my abused appendage.
I keep the noises to a minimum as he gently pokes and prods at my injury, trying to figure out how bad it is, I’m sure.
I take the reprieve from the vocal jabs to study him.
Black curls have escaped from his hair tie, blocking his eyes from view.
I know what those eyes look like, though.
They’re the twin to Kai’s. An icy blue that could both freeze and burn whoever they ensnared.
I always knew he would be attractive. He’s identical to Kai after all, and I’m not blind.
Except now, he’s all muscular and bearded.
So basically the worst-case scenario. I was secretly hoping we’d find him and find out he got ugly. And married.
“Are you secretly a doctor?” I snark. Not liking the way he’s taking care of me. I don’t want to find anything redeeming in him. I need him to be an asshole, and that’s it.
Ezra chuckles darkly. “I don’t think it’s broken, but you’re going to want to keep off of it for a few days at least.”
“You got it, boss,” I say sarcastically.
Ezra smirks in a way that might be sexy if I didn’t hate him. “I love it when you bend for me, Bambi.”
I bite my tongue, wanting to tell him off, but I know if I keep reacting to the stupid nickname, he’ll use it even more.
Like a child. A giant man-child. Instead, I just roll my eyes and pretend to be very interested in the decor.
Which is honestly a little too nautical for my taste.
Do people really need to be reminded they live by the ocean while in their homes?
Are you going to forget if you don’t sleep with a blanket covered in anchors or if your tea towels don’t have seashells on them?
“I want to call Maverick.”
“And you think I don’t?” Ezra says, the contempt is back in his voice. Lucky me.
“Then why haven’t you? You have your fucking phone right there!” I yell, pointing to the black phone that’s in his hand. His whole body stiffens, and the next thing I know he’s standing so close to me, I can feel his warm breath on my face.
“His phone is either off or a victim of the explosion. All their phones are. My best guess is Harrison had them ditch the phones and run.”
His words cause me to deflate into the couch like a balloon with a slow leak. Of course he tried to call them. He loves Maverick. He loves all of them. Hell, Kai is his twin. I’m the odd one out here, not Ezra, and I need to remember that.
“Wait,” I yell and then immediately gasp when the burns on the backs of my legs rub against the coarse fabric of the couch.
“Jesus, Bambi. Stay still,” Ezra says, gently moving my legs so he can look at the damage.
“I’m fine. Is your phone all secure and whatever like Theo did to our phones?” I ask him. His frown tells me it is, but he doesn’t know where I’m going with this.
“I told you, no one has their phones. So why does it matter?” He’s still frowning, but he’s not speaking to me like he thinks I’m an idiot. So that’s a nice improvement.
“Cal has his.” I watch his frown deepen and decide just to explain instead of watching him try to figure me out. I’m too tired and in too much pain to enjoy his confusion. “We can call him and let him know we’re fine. I’m sure Belle will figure out a way to contact him, too.”
“Good idea,” he says, pulling up Cal’s contact information and hitting the FaceTime button. “Might want to close your mouth, Bambi.” I slam it closed. The shock from his compliment morphs into annoyance at breakneck speed.
“Ezra!” Cal answers. His hair is sticking up everywhere like he’s been running his hands through it. “Jo!” he says the moment he spots me. “Where is everyone else? I haven’t been able to get in touch with anyone!”
“Maverick made Ezra grab me and run. He thinks their phones are probably discarded somewhere to be safe,” I explain.
“Jo!” Harlow’s bright red hair is the first thing I see before she shoves her way into the frame. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”
“Auntie Jo Jo!” I tear up at Cora’s little voice. Harlow picks her up, and all three of them are squished into the small frame of Cal’s phone. I miss my best friend and her little family so much it makes my chest hurt.
“Hi my Cora girl,” I say. “I miss you.”
“Is Auntie Belle there? Daddy says she’s trying to kill him again.”
I snort when Cal looks down at his daughter like she betrayed him. Cora is almost four and at that stage where she loves to tattle on her parents.
“Auntie Jo Jo, guess what?” Cora says. She’s also in the stage where she’s chatty at all times.
“What?” I ask, playing along like this is one of our normal calls.
“Mommy has a baby brother in her belly!”
My eyes dart to Harlow’s, which are comically wide. Cora definitely wasn’t supposed to spill the beans on that. Cal looks smug as hell as he kisses her temple and ruffles Cora’s red curls.
“Really?” I ask, the tears I was holding spilling over. I’m so damn happy for my best friend.
“Really,” Harlow says softly. “You ready to be an Auntie again?”
“Hell yes!” I say.
“You have to put a dollar in the swear jar, Auntie Jo Jo!”
I laugh, enjoying this small slice of normalcy. Ezra clears his throat.
“Congratulations,” he says. Cal meets his eyes and smiles.
“Thanks, man.”
Ezra nods. “This number is secure. You guys can call it whenever you need.”
“I’ll call you the minute Belle gets in touch,” Harlow says. She knows just as well as I do that Belle will figure out a way to let Cal know she’s okay. Even if she has to send a messenger pigeon.
The minute the call ends, I sink into the couch.
Whatever energy reserves I found have quickly depleted and exhaustion has fully taken over.
My heavy eyelids close, and I can’t get them to open even when I feel myself being lifted into Ezra’s arms or when he carefully places me on a soft bed.
The last thing I remember is the sound of his sigh before sleep pulls me under.