Page 18 of Cruise

“It’s Maureen now. I don’t need to feel any older.”

He headed out with Compass following. When they got on the elevator, he smiled at Compass but didn’t say anything. What Compass did was his own business. Now to dig into why Compass wasn’t returning Baron’s calls or texts and make sure he was okay at breakfast.

Lexi waited until the door closed all the way before she turned and walked closer to her mom.

“Did you have a good time?” Lexi asked.

Her mom slid an arm around her waist. “I enjoyed playing poker. Those men made me feel right at home. I have a good feeling about Booker’s MC. And when Compass walked me to our room, I hugged him at the door. He hugged me back and said that hugs were one of the things he missed most. I had to agree. I can’t tell you how many times over the years that I’ve wanted to get a hug from your dad.”

“Oh Mom.”

“Don’t ‘oh Mom’ me. It’s a part of grief and losing someone. But I knew Booker wasn’t back and Compass would end up sleeping with all the other guys. I told him he was welcome to catch some sleep here. No sex, just lying beside each other. He held my hand until we fell asleep.”

Lexi had known her mom had lost a part of herself when Lexi’s dad died. They’d been together for years. A year ago, Lexi had made sure to let her mom know that Lexi didn’t expect her mom to be alone. She hoped her mom would find someone to spend the rest of her life with. Her mom had replied she wasn’t looking and someone would have to be very special for it to happen.

“So what’s the plan, Alex?”

“We’re getting ready and packed. Then I offered for us to feed the guys lunch a little ways away. I didn’t mention we’d be cooking it at our RV. And then I’ll share the whole story.”

Her mom grabbed her stuff. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll grab a quick shower since I know you love for the bathroom to be already steamy when you get in.”

Lexi laughed. Her mom hated when the bathroom was already hot and steamy. She wondered if Booker and his friends could actually help her and her mom fix their problem. She hoped so because although she adored her mom, she didn’t want them to live together because of fear. If her mom wanted to live on the road with her, she’d gladly let her. But her mom loved the ranch. It was her happy place. Hopefully, today might bring a solution or at least a little help.

Chapter Five

Booker had texted to make sure that Twist was joining him and Compass for breakfast. He’d replied that he thought all the guys were joining them because Bootstrap was worried about Compass too.

He’d given Compass the choice of riding somewhere for breakfast or eating in the hotel and having their weekendbrunch. Compass had requested to eat in the hotel, which had surprised Booker.

Once everyone had arrived, ordered, and gotten their food, Booker didn’t know exactly how to start. If he’d known Compass before, it would have been easier.

Compass took a bite of food and chewed. He didn’t look like he was going to make it easy on them.Fuck.

“How’s life on the road? Anywhere interesting you’ve ridden?” Booker asked.

Compass swallowed, then took a sip of his coffee and nodded.

“How about you tell me what War and Baron need to not have these meetings checking on me?”

So it didn’t seem like the nice, smiling guy from last night was going to make an appearance today.

“War’s just worried about you…” Booker said before Compass rolled his eyes.

“I helped raise that boy. He needs to take care of business and leave me alone.”

Brew chuckled, then slapped the table, shaking his head.

“Yeah, my uptight older brother is just going to leave you alone. War has an insane need to make sure everyone is safe, especially his family. When you don’t answer texts for two weeks, yeah, he’s going to send people to check on you,” Brew said.

Compass huffed and took another bite of his breakfast. Booker really wished he knew what to say or what to ask.

“I was surprised you wanted to meet here in the hotel instead of riding to breakfast. The Compass I’ve been around takes every chance he can to ride,” Bootstrap said.

Compass rolled his eyes. “Fine. I wasn’t up to riding. I wrecked two weeks ago and it wrenched my back and neck. It’s not getting better as quickly as I’d like.”

“How’d you wreck?” Dodge asked.

Booker wanted to know too, and he was positive if anyone at Bluff Creek had known, they would have gone to take care of Compass.

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