Page 86 of Love Takes Home

“With age comes perfecting the perfect gossip chain,” I assure her.

We survive the last two hours of the school day, and I help Aubrey pack up her cello to take home. I’ve promised her that she can use the classroom instruments the next couple of days.

On our way out, I ask her, “Would you like to come over next week to practice since we’re out of school?”

“I’d love that!”

I stop and talk to her dad, who agrees to the practice plan. He also tells me there’s a broody man waiting behind us.

He’s standing at the passenger door of his truck, staring intently at me, a scowl on his face.

I wave to Aubrey and Roger and make my way to Mr. Grumpy.

“Why the face?” I ask, walking around him and climbing into the truck.

“You were supposed to come straight to me when the bell rang,” he grumbles.

I wait for him to climb behind the wheel before I answer. “You could see I wasn’t in any danger, Joker. I was talking to Aubrey’s dad. Ten feet away from you.”

“It’s not safe.”

“What’s he going to do? Make a public scene? I don’t think so.”

He reaches over the center console and picks up my hand, turning it over and looking intently.

“What are you doing?”

“Making sure that fucker didn’t leave any marks.”

“Harrison, I’m fine.”

He looks at me long and hard before letting out a big sigh. “Fine. You’re fine. I’ll drop it.”

“Please do.” I smile at him, flipping my hand over and squeezing his.

“I have steaks at home and a grill calling our name. You up to it?”

“I like steak.” I grin.

“Then, that’s the plan.”

Chapter 26

Joker

I look at Ginnyin the passenger seat of my truck, the relief at seeing that she really is alright tangible in the air around me. When the alerts went off today, my heart jumped into my throat, my stomach felt like I was on a roller coaster, and my hands started to shake. In all my years in the Army, my hands never shook.

“How was your day?” Ginny asks, absently looking out the window.

“Well, I’ve had better. My girlfriend kept scaring the shit out of me.”

She turns to me, looking guilty. “I’m sorry, but I thought you’d want to hear what the kids were saying. And then you heard what Keith had to say.”

“I did want to hear that, but every time the alert went off, I panicked. I didn’t like it.”

“Does this mean I don’t have to wear the watch anymore?” She grins at me.

“You’re wearing the watch,” I growl.

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