Page 59 of Rooster

"Sorry," she says. "I should've asked first. I'm a hugger."

"It's fine," I say. "Just took me by surprise."

I can't recall the last time I was hugged, but it felt wonderful, very nurturing, and motherly.

"This is Shadow and his wife, Misty," Kincaid says before turning toward another couple. "And Kid and Khloe."

I shake everyone's hand and tell them my name. These people all seem a little older than the team living here. I have so many questions, but I also know who they are and what they do are none of my business. Just like it's not my concern why they're even here in the first place.

"Oh, Kaylee," Emmalyn says with a wide grin like she's known my friend her entire life. "I left right in the middle of a discussion. Apologies."

"No big deal," Kaylee says, pressing her face into Ellis's chest.

The other women watch her, and I swear they're looking at her like she's their long-lost daughter who has just met her prince.

"What were you guys talking about?" I ask, jolting a little when someone grabs my hand.

I look over and see Robert once again at my side.

Kaylee looks down, her eyes locking on our joined hands for a second before her cheeks heat.

"We were making plans to go see a show while we were here in town," Misty says, and I can tell she seems to be purposefully avoiding her husband's glare.

"There are so many shows to choose from," I say. "Vegas is always a good time."

"Would you like to join us?" Khloe asks as Kaylee shifts her weight from one foot to the other as if she's suddenly uncomfortable.

"What show did you have in mind?" I ask before committing to anything.

Emmalyn looks to Kincaid for a brief second before answering. "The Stallion Revue."

"Seriously?" I ask with a broad smile as I look toward my friend. "You'd go see that?"

"Would you?" she challenges.

"I've been several times," I say, doing my best to ignore Robert's tighter grip on my hand. "It's a great show."

Kincaid mumbles something to Emmalyn before pressing his lips to her cheek and walking away. Shadow and Kid do the same thing, and it's like a wordless demand because Ellis kisses Kaylee before leaving. Robert is last to press his lips to my temple before joining them across the room.

"Was it something I said?" I ask as I watch them gather about twenty feet away, all of them huddled in a circle.

"They aren't too keen on the idea of us going to watch male strippers," Misty says, and I can hear the humor in her voice as she smiles at her husband.

"But they'll let you go?"

"Let?" Emmalyn asks. "They don't control us that way."

"We probably won't even go, but we like to torture them every chance we get," Khloe adds, her smile just as wide.

"Keeps them on their toes," Emmalyn says. "Have you really been numerous times?"

I dip my head. "It's a very popular bachelorette party destination. You can even pay extra, and they'll let you backstage so you can oil the guys up before they perform."

"No," Misty says when Khloe steps forward as if interested in hearing more. "They can only handle so much."

All three women chuckle as if they live to rile their husbands up.

Kaylee doesn't seem so keen on the idea, as if she's still a little nervous that pressing Ellis's buttons would cause more problems than the teasing is worth.

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