Chapter 48
forty-eight
JUDE
The moment the door is shut behind her father, Greer breaks down in tears. The type that makes you wonder if your heart can actually break. Nobody hurts you quite like the people you love most in the world.
I pull her into a hug, then lift her into my arms. The shoulder of my tee quickly grows damp with her tears.
After the emergency call, I rushed out so quickly that I forgot to put on my cut.
That’s going to be one hell of a fine. Nothing was more important than getting to Greer when there was an emergency call to the apartment.
Her parents scared me shitless. I drove the entire way here picturing the worst.
Of course, this happens when I can’t send someone ahead to check on Greer. White Dog is closed for the day, and all of the prospects are either asleep or at the casino working.
“You smell like bleach,” she sniffles.
“I was in the middle of cleaning up a mess when Folgers heard the message over a scanner.”
“I’m sorry they worried you.”
“Do not apologize for your parents. They did this, not you.”
“Not once did it ever occur to me they’d think we’d been sneaking around with one another.”
“Maybe your aunt and uncle will talk some sense into them.”
“I have no doubt they’ll feel the same way. They’re twins, ya know. It’s like they share the same ideas…” Her voice suddenly trails off. Her shoulders slump and she scurries to her phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Allie! If my parents are coming all the way here, dollars to donuts, my aunt and uncle are about to pop in to see her.”
My stomach drops straight to my toes.
Fuuuuuuuck!
She lets the phone ring until voicemail picks up, calls again, and finally leaves a message, “Hey, just wanted to let you know your parents are probably going to pay you a visit tomorrow. I miss you. Call soon?”
Furious texting follows, then she flops down. “I’m so mad right now I can’t see straight.”
“Why do you think they’re headed there in the morning?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.
“The drive back and forth to the university. They’ll have to wait until Saturday when Uncle Cooper’s off work.”
Picking up my phone, I text Flinch one thing. A clock emoji. Time’s run out. This is going to blow up in our faces, but a controlled explosion is the safer bet. I don’t want Greer upset, especially now that she’s pregnant.
Flinch
Find a way to stall.
Jude
No. This is over.
Flinch
Allie is handful enough. You do realize Allie’s going to drag Greer into whatever the fuck she cooks up, right?
Jude
Let me worry about my old lady.
Allie’s settled in now. Twice I’ve given her an opportunity to slip into a vehicle leaving the compound, and both times she’s chosen to stay. At this point, Flinch is dragging his feet because he doesn’t want to share his woman with anybody else.
He’s not alone. But I’m tired of this hanging over our heads like an anvil in the old Wile E. Coyote cartoons.
Greer comes to sit next to me and starts picking the cuticles of her nails. “I’m working at the clubhouse the next two days. Why don’t you and Hank come?”
“A weekend in that beautiful house and spending more time with my man? How will I manage?”
“Pack a bag tonight. I’ll drive you up first thing tomorrow.”