CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
-:- ED -:-
I may be old, but I’ve still got some life left in me. Maybe not the sexual kind, but plenty of ass kicking and talking smack to folks. Grinning, I step out of the cab that I’ve hired to check what they are doing here at the house Blake evicted Yax from. It’s a nice-looking place but I can understand why she wants to get rid of it.
“Can you come back in thirty minutes?” I ask the driver and he gives me a nod before taking the cash and driving away.
Walking the garden path to the front door, I’m thinking the yard needs an overhaul. Seems my Blake isn’t so good with the outside of houses, but she sure makes the inside cozy and welcoming.
Stepping inside the front door, a woman walks up and gives me a smile. “Can I help you?”
“Well, I’m here on behalf of the owner. I’m just checking that things are running along smoothly.”
The woman steps a little closer and holds her hand out to shake. “I’m Glorianna. I’m here to clean out this place along with Scarlett and the two men who are here to do all the lifting and taking things away. Either to the charity place or the recycle center. There’s not much for you to see, as we’re just starting to clean out the upstairs bathroom. Whoever was living here didn’t clean a thing at all. It’s disgusting.”
“It was a woman, along with her man and son. Not sure if they were married or anything, but they had that kid together. He’s gone and left her now, took the kid with him,” I inform Glorianna, “Your name's a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it?” I ask without thinking.
“Yeah, it is,” giggling, she continues, “Just call me Glo, that’s what my friends call me.”
“Well, Glo, I’m not here to interfere. Just to check everything that is running smoothly. I’ll come back in a couple of days, but if you need me, here’s my number.” I rattle off my mobile number and pat myself on the back mentally, because I can remember the damn thing.
“Okay then, I’ll do that. What was your name again?” Glo asks, and then I realize I’d never told her.
“Oh, I’m sorry, that was so ignorant of me. My names Ed. I’m the owner’s PawPaw.” Now, I said that last with a puffed chest and more than a little pride. Maybe Blake has only just become mine, but I’m gonna keep her.
“Well, Ed, I’ll give you a call if anything untoward crops up. How’s that?” Glo gives me a smile and picks up a bucket filled with cleaning bottles.
“Okay, thank you, Glo.” I make my way out of the house and back up the path, thankfully just in time for the cab to arrive.
Back home, I give my pal a call and get the name and number for a company that maintains yards. I quickly contact and make arrangements for them to look at Blake's place. But I will hang fire on the other house in case something is already organized for that.
I overheard Blake speaking with Bitty the other night. She was telling her she was having a movie night tonight with Mav and a meal, too. Well, guess who is going to turn up for a movie night? Yeah, you got it. I make sure I’m showered, changed into my best pants and button up and throw on my jacket before heading out to Blake’s house. I can’t help but whistle, knowing I’m going to be putting a spoiler on this guy Mav’s evening.
In the cab, I take out my phone and send a message to Bitty. Now, I’ve known Bitty and her other two witches for years, so this won’t be a surprise. I’m positive Blake would have filled Bitty in on my being her PawPaw now too. Grinning, I type out my message.
Ed: Bitty, it’s Ed. You want to mess with Blake’s man for a while?
Bitty: What do you mean?
Ed: I’m on my way to Blake’s house. They are having a movie night with a meal. But guess who is going to crash that night? Oh, I’ve got popcorn.
Bitty: Oh, I love popcorn.
Ed: OK, see you later.
Grinning broadly, I walk into Blake’s house, and she gives me a startled look. “Evening, Blake. I thought I’d come and spend the evening with you. It’s Saturday night after all. Do you fancy watching a movie? I brought popcorn.”
I think Blake is amazing, because I know she had plans, but she doesn’t bat an eye. Stepping over to me, she gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before smiling, “I’ve got finger snacks if you fancy eating? Mav will be here soon, he’s moved in with me today, so you be nice, PawPaw.”
The door opens, and the man called Mav walks inside, giving me a frown before zeroing in on Blake. Wrapping her in his arms, he kisses her gently before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and looking at me once more.
“You Ed?” Mav asks, and I nod, but give him my best ‘ don’t fuck with me ,’ look. “Well, it’s great to meet you. Blake has told me a lot about you, and you adopting her as a granddaughter, or the other way around. I’m not sure since Bitty adopted her as a daughter, too.”
“Don’t matter which, she’s my granddaughter now, so you better be on your best behavior.”
“Oh, I’ll behave, don’t you worry none about that.”
The asshole kisses Blake on her forehead, then grabs the bag he’d dropped at the door and heads upstairs. I turn to look at Blake, who is now heading into the kitchen.
“It’s all good, PawPaw. Mav is moving in as I told you, but if he does me wrong, I’ll let you shoot his ass. How about that?”
Grunting, I grab a plate on the side that is made up of different finger snacks and head into the living room, where I plant my ass into the easy chair. From this position I can see the TV and keep my eye on the pair of them. Yep, that’s a good move for me. Once comfortable I take out my phone and text Bitty again.
Ed: You coming?
Bitty: I’m on my way, and I’ve got popcorn.
Blake enters the living room, with Mav right behind her. A plate of snacks is in their hands and they take a seat. Mav messes with the remote and the movie starts. I stuff a piece of one of the snacks in my mouth and give Mav a stare down. Well, it would be if the fucker would look my way.
The front door opens and I grin, knowing full well who is joining this lovely movie night.
“Yoo-hoo, I thought I’d come watch the movie with you. I’ve brought popcorn.” Bitty saunters into the living room, throws her jacket on the back of the spare chair and takes a seat. Giving Mav a shit-eating grin as she does.
Both myself and Bitty keep giving Mav looks that I’m sure he’s ignoring, and he cuddles up to Blake watching the TV. Not once does the fucker look at Bitty or me, but from the tip of his lip, I can tell he knows we’ve appeared for movie night on purpose.
“You okay there, Ed?” Mav asks.
“I’m fine. You okay?” I respond, but give Bitty a look that tells her I know what he’s up to.
Bitty giggles, “We’re all fine, Mav. What about you Blake, are you fine?”
“Oh, I’m good, thank you, Mama.” Blake is blind to the tension in the room, and looks happy to have all three of us here. She is a darling and I’m sure she has to be the kindest person I’ve met.
“Tomorrow you’ve got to come to the clubhouse, Blake. Something is happening, and the girl gang is all going to be battening down the hatches, so to speak. Now you are Mav’s girl, you need to come too, and be added to the gang,” Bitty states, and I give her a sharp look because what the hell is a girl gang? I’m not sure I like the sound of that.
Mav kisses Blake on her cheek before speaking, “Yeah, you need to be at the clubhouse tomorrow. What about you, Ed? Do you think you could go along with Blake, you know, make sure she’s okay?”
Now, I puff my chest out because I’m a PawPaw and anyone messes with my girl and they mess with me. I don’t care that I can’t run anymore, I’ll do damage anyway I can. “Of course I can go with her. Just need the time and I’ll be here ready.”
“What is going on that I need to go there?” Blake asks while giving Mav a frown on her face.
“It’s fight night, and I’m going to be fighting, but don’t you go worrying. I’ll be fine. It’s the other one that needs to worry,” Mav grins, but the frown on Blake’s face hasn’t disappeared. “We just need to know all the women will be safe while we are working, and we’ll be leaving Specs and Sting at the clubhouse with you. But the girl gang are quite capable of keeping themselves and the clubhouse safe. Remember, I told you Winter is a sniper, and she's been teaching some of the others how to use a weapon. We don't envisage trouble at the clubhouse, so it’s a precaution only. But if Ed will go along with you, I’ll feel easier.”
“I’ll go along and make sure everyone is safe. Oh, I’ve someone coming to check out the yard, Blake. Sorry for the change in topic, but you know my memory isn’t as good as it was.” That took the frown from Blake's face and was my intention.
“Watch the movie or it’ll be over before we know it,” Bitty snaps, and fills her face with more popcorn.