Page 74 of Time to Bounce

“That rat,” she turned around and left.

“What’s she doing here?” I wondered.

“There was some meeting with the communication crew and a couple other people,” Athena said as she dropped her eyes to the box that was poised between us. “What did you get me?”

“Your favorite, according to your best friend.” I paused. “And I have a chocolate milk in my pocket. That’s not my dick.”

She threw her head back and laughed, reaching for the box and the chocolate milk. “Go to work, Gable Carter.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I paused before walking backwards toward the exit. “Athena?”

She paused halfway down into her seat and looked at me. “Yes?”

“Will you go out on a date with me tonight?” I asked.

Her eyes went soft. “Yes, yes I will.”

I grinned and turned around, sauntering out of the communications building and heading to my brother’s office.

When I got there, he was angrily looking at his watch. “What’s up?”

“I’ve had four people go out with the goddamn stomach flu.” He looked at me. “And you’re late.”

“I’m on time,” I pointed out. “Tell me where you want me.”

The empty spot in my bed is for snacks, not for liars.

—Athena to Gable

ATHENA

“So who was that delicious morsel talking to you, Athena?” Pat asked as we walked together out of the communications building.

“You mean that one?” Porfirio, our resident gay man, asked.

My head jerked up, but I was disappointed to see that it wasn’t Gable at all, but Garrett.

“No, that’s his twin brother, Garrett,” I said. “Which you know.”

“Oh, yeah, you’re right. I know him. I didn’t see the dog until now.” He paused. “Where did he get that scar?”

I vaguely remembered Garrett being under cover a long time ago before he was a K-9 officer. But I didn’t remember how, exactly, he’d gotten the scar. Only that it was work related.

“No clue,” I said, hoping not to continue the conversation.

If there was one thing Garrett was sensitive about, it was his scar.

I didn’t know why, though.

The man looked great with a scar.

Since Garrett was leaning against my car, I had a feeling he was waiting for me.

“I’ll see y’all tomorrow,” I said as I peeled away to head Garrett’s way.

He jerked his chin up at me when I got close enough before saying, “I was tasked in making sure you got home safely, as well as letting you know that there’s a possibility that Darryl Horton, also known as Madman, might get out on a technicality.”

I blinked, my stomach dropping.

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